Bradenton Carnegie Library
The Bradenton Carnegie Library is a historic Carnegie library in Bradenton, Florida. It is located at 1405 Fourth Avenue, West, and actually faces on 14th Street, West. The original 14th Street facade has been obscured by an addition that did not follow the style of the original building.[2] It was one of 10 Florida Carnegie libraries to receive grants awarded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York from 1901 to 1917.[3] Steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie provided funding for more than 3,000 Carnegie libraries in the United States, Canada, and Europe.[4]
The original library was founded in 1918 and served as Bradenton's main library for 60 years. Today, it is the Historical Records Library operated by the office of the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and houses governmental records, marriage licenses, maps, yearbooks, voter registration books, and military discharge books among many other items, that date back to 1856.[5] In addition, the library houses the Herb Loomis Manatee County Postcard Collection and the Steve Belack Crosley collection.[6] The staff is available to help researchers or those seeking to learn about the county's history.
The original library was founded in 1918 and served as Bradenton's main library for 60 years. Today, it is the Historical Records Library operated by the office of the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and houses governmental records, marriage licenses, maps, yearbooks, voter registration books, and military discharge books among many other items, that date back to 1856.[5] In addition, the library houses the Herb Loomis Manatee County Postcard Collection and the Steve Belack Crosley collection.[6] The staff is available to help researchers or those seeking to learn about the county's history.