As West Tampa grew after its incorporation in 1895, the need for public information and educational materials grew. Philanthropist and steel magnate Andrew Carnegie established a grant fund from 1901 to 1917 to construct libraries throughout the U.S. The West Tampa Library was one of ten built in Florida. It was erected a few blocks north of Howard Ave and Main St, West Tampa’s business core.

The land for the building, a former site of the A. Del Pino cigar factory and O’Halloran Cigar Company was donated by Angel Cuesta, a respected cigar factory owner. The library expanded in 2003, adding 5,000 sq. ft., and the original building was refurbished in 2005.

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