John F. Germany Public Library - Port Tampa City Branch

About Us :

The Port Tampa City Library, a neighborhood branch in the  Tampa-Hillsborough County Library System, has a proud heritage. The library was one of the first projects undertaken by the Port Tampa City Woman's Club, who operated the library from 1951 to 1961. The Tampa Library System assumed responsibility for the operation of the branch in 1961. The merger of the city and county libraries in 1984 put the Port Tampa City Library under the county aegis where it has remained.

In Summer 1998, the Port Tampa City Library relocated from a 1,500 square foot building into a 5,700 square foot Local Landmark building. Renovation of the historic "Commerce Bank Building" into the Port Tampa City Library was the result of efforts by Library advocates from the City of Port Tampa, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Advisory Board, and Hillsborough County staff.

Tampa's only Maritime Reading Room is available to the public on the second floor of the Port Tampa City Library. The collection features maritime artifacts, books and more. Special guest lectures are held throughout the year.