Key West Library — Monroe County Public Library
🏢 Monroe County Public Library System · Key West, Florida
Key West Library
The Key West Library — formally the Monroe County May Hill Russell Library — is South Florida's oldest public library, tracing its origins to 1892 when citizens organized the Key West Library Association and opened a reading room of 1,200 donated volumes in the Masonic Hall on Simonton Street. The current 700 Fleming Street building opened in November 1959 and holds roughly 190,000 items, including noted Ernest Hemingway documents and Tennessee Williams memorabilia.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9am–6pm |
| Friday | 9am–6pm |
| Saturday | 9am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 700 Fleming Street, Key West, FL 33040
Phone: (305) 292-3595
Website: keyslibraries.org
Plus Code: 76PWH642+X2 (Key West, FL)
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📖 About Key West Library
The Key West Library is the main branch of the Monroe County Public Library System, which operates six branches across the Florida Keys. Library services in Key West date to April 8, 1892, when the Key West Library Association organized what became South Florida's first formal public library — a collection of 1,200 donated books in a second-floor room of the Masonic Temple. That original library was destroyed by hurricane in 1919. The system rebuilt and, after years in interim locations, opened the permanent facility at 700 Fleming Street on November 15, 1959, circulating 230 books on its first day. Wings were added in 1975 and a rear archival vault in 1993; the auditorium was named after Tennessee Williams, who delivered remarks at its dedication. May Hill Russell served as Monroe County Library Director and in 1964 organized the Historical Research Committee, building the Florida History Collection of archival documents and local records that remains one of the library's treasures. Today the library holds approximately 190,000 items and belongs to the Florida Electronic Library (FEL) network, giving every cardholder free digital access to research databases, eBooks, and streaming media.
⭐ What makes this library special
- South Florida's oldest public library — founded 1892 by the Key West Library Association with 1,200 donated books
- Permanent home at 700 Fleming Street since November 1959; rear archival vault added 1993 for the Florida History Collection
- Tennessee Williams Auditorium — dedicated by Williams himself at its opening in the 1970s
- Holds roughly 190,000 items including noted Ernest Hemingway documents and Tennessee Williams memorabilia
- Named in honor of May Hill Russell, Monroe County Library Director, who established the Florida History Collection in 1964
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Key West Library cardholders can access digital resources around the clock through the Florida Electronic Library and Monroe County system subscriptions:
📚 Services
- Florida History Collection and local archives (Ernest Hemingway documents, Tennessee Williams memorabilia)
- Public computers, printing, and free Wi-Fi
- Interlibrary loan across Monroe County branches and statewide
- Book Club in a Bag kits for reading groups
- Reference and reader's advisory assistance
- Law Depot legal forms access
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and youth programming
- Summer reading program for all ages
- Adult programs and community events
- Community events in the Tennessee Williams Auditorium
📍 Nearby Libraries in South Florida
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Key West Library also called the May Hill Russell Library?
May Hill Russell served as Monroe County Library Director and is credited with building the library's Florida History Collection. In 1964 she organized the Historical Research Committee, a volunteer effort to locate and preserve historical documents for the city and county — establishing what became one of the library's most valued archival resources. The branch was named in her honor in recognition of that lasting contribution.
How old is the Key West Library and where was it originally located?
Library services in Key West date to April 8, 1892, when the Key West Library Association organized South Florida's first formal public library — 1,200 donated books in a room on the second floor of the Masonic Hall on Simonton Street. That original building was destroyed in a 1919 hurricane. The library moved through several locations before the current 700 Fleming Street building opened on November 15, 1959.
What is the Tennessee Williams Auditorium at the Key West Library?
The Tennessee Williams Auditorium is a dedicated community event and performance space added to the library during the 1970s. It was named after Tennessee Williams, the playwright who lived in Key West for decades, and Williams himself delivered remarks at its dedication.
What are the library's hours and when is it open latest?
The library is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Wednesday 9 a.m.–8 p.m. (the latest night), and Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. It is closed on Sunday.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
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