Northwest Regional Library System

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The Northwest Regional Library System is a public library system that serves the Bay, Gulf, and Liberty counties of Florida.

History[]

The first library in Bay County was established in 1911. It was located in Lynn Haven. The library was created by 14 women who met under the name of the Lynn Haven Literary Club. Each of the 14 women donated one book and three magazines to start the library, meeting in different locations to share their love of books and reading. When their collection grew to over 500 volumes, they needed more space. In 1922 the McMullin family donated land and a building located at 9th Street and Ohio Avenue that would become the McMullin Library.^[1] In 1961, the McMullin Library became part of the Northwest Regional Library System. In 1990, following a shortage of funds within the public library system, the city of Lynn Haven took over responsibility of the library, and it is no longer part of the Northwest Regional Library System. The library's name changed from the McMullin Library to the Lynn Haven Public Library to honor the change in ownership.[1]

In January 1914, The Woman’s Club of Panama City formed the Library Association. The first library began from a personal donation of 1500 books from a Mrs. West. That first library was housed in the Chamber of Commerce Building, bought with $3,500 that the members of the Woman's Club donated.^[2] On September 10, 1941 the building was repurposed solely as a library,^[3] and was renamed the Bay County Public Library.

In 1960 the soon to be Northwest Regional Library System consisted of the Bay County Public Library, a bookmobile, as well as the McMullin Library. Later that same year, in September, the Bay County Public Library became incorporated as the Bay County Public Library Association, Inc. In 1962 the Association purchased a second bookmobile, and together with Washington County, formed the Northwest Regional Library System. The Bay County Library also moved to a new location in 1962, moving from Washington Park to the Christo Dime Store building on Harrison Avenue.^[4] Five years later, in 1967, the library would move once again, this time to a new building on the City Marina.^[5]

In the early to mid-sixties, Gulf, Calhoun, and Walton counties joined the library system. Walton county withdrew itself from the system some time during the 70s. Liberty and Holmes counties joined the library system in 1973 and 1974; the system now served six counties covering 3,946 square miles: Bay, Washington, Gulf, Calhoun, Liberty, and Holmes.

On February 6, 1978, the Springfield Public Library opened.^[6] Ann Robbins was the branch manager. The library contained 5,000 books with a small reference section, magazines, and a few reading tables. The building, renovated for the Library, was previously home to the Fire Department, Springfield Baptist Church, and Springfield City Hall. Later the library would share the building with the Health Department. On February 16, 1992 the Springfield City Commission voted to leave the Library System and the Springfield Library became a city library. Several years later, the Springfield Library rejoined the Library System, but the staff remained city employees.^[7]

A public library for Panama City Beach was the goal of many civic minded volunteers and hardworking city officials. The first official meeting of the Advisory Board of the Panama City Beach Public Library took place on October 3, 1978. The members Dan Russell, Jane Patton (NWRLS Director), Robert Young, Mildred Russell, Julian Bennett, Jim Johnson, and W.H. Kampbell elected Peggy McCabe chair and Joe Sitton co-chair. On October 20, 1978, Peggy McCabe announced the City of Panama City Beach had designated a parcel of city land at the corner of Firenzo and Highway 79 as the library site. A new library was built at Panama City Beach in the 1980s.^[8]

In 1986, the Calhoun County Public Library withdrew from the system. The Calhoun County Public Library created its own county-wide system, which currently consists of the Blountstown Public Library, Altha Public Library, Hugh Creek Park Public Library, Kinard Park Public Library, Mossy Pond Park Public Library, and Shelton's Park Public Library.

By 1992, three more counties withdrew from the system; Washington and Holmes county, and the Lynn Haven library.

Programs and Services[]

Computers and Wi-Fi are available at all branches. Computer classes are offered at the Bay County Public Library. An Events Calendar can be found here.

The Bay County Public Library in Panama City, the Corinne Costin Gibson Memorial Public Library in Port St. Joe, and the Harrell Memorial Public Library in Bristol offer 3D printing services.

Meeting Rooms are available at several branches including, Bay County Public Library, Panama City Beach Library, Corinne Costin Gibson Memorial Library (Port St Joe), and Charles Whitehead Public Library (Wewahitchka).

The Literacy Department within the library system offers a free program to anyone 18 years of age or older who wishes to improve their English-speaking skills, English reading or writing skills, or who is studying for the GED exam or U.S. Citizenship test. The program allows for Literacy Students to work either one-on-one or in a group setting with staff or volunteer tutors.^[9]

Genealogy Search is provided at the Bay County Public Library and at the Corinne Costin Gibson Memorial Library.

All branches within the system have a bookstore.

Branches[]

Bay County

• Bay County Public Library
• Panama City Beach Public Library
• Parker Public Library
• Springfield Public Library

Gulf County

• Corinne Costin Gibson Memorial Public Library
• Charles Whitehead Public Library

Liberty County

• Harrell Memorial Public Library
• Jimmy Weaver Memorial Library

References[]

External links[]

• Northwest Regional Library System Events Calendar
• The Woman's Club of Panama City
• Lynn Haven Library
• Lynn Haven Florida - Library
• Calhoun County Public Library
• Washington County Public Library
• Holmes County Public Library