New Port Richey Public Library
🏢 Tampa Bay Library Consortium · New Port Richey, Florida
New Port Richey Public Library
Founded in 1920 as the Avery Library and Historical Society — the first book cataloged was a Scofield Bible — New Port Richey Public Library now holds 5-star Library Journal status and occupies a solar-powered, $2-million-renovated building at the heart of Main Street, making it the highest-rated independent public library in Florida.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–7pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–7pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–7pm |
| Thursday | 10am–7pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–2pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 5939 Main Street, New Port Richey, FL 34652
Phone: (727) 853-1279
Website: nprlibrary.org
Plus Code: 76WV772M+3M (New Port Richey, FL)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About New Port Richey Public Library
New Port Richey Public Library was established April 10, 1920, when Elroy M. Avery opened the Avery Library and Historical Society in the Snell building with roughly 2,000 volumes. After moving through several downtown locations, the library settled into its current home — a repurposed school building on Main Street — in 1991. A $2 million renovation completed in January 2022 added private study rooms, conference spaces, an improved children's department, and solar panels funded by an EBSCO Industries grant. The library operates independently of the Pasco County Library System and is one of the original members of the Tampa Bay Library Consortium's SUNLINE database. It has earned a Library Journal 5-star rating (the highest in Florida in 2016) and was named the Florida Library Association's Library of the Year in 2006. A Seed Exchange program, launched in August 2013 for organic non-GMO seeds, and an Art on the Move circulating art collection set it apart from typical branch libraries.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded April 10, 1920 — one of Pasco County's oldest institutions, originally the Avery Library and Historical Society
- Florida Library Association Library of the Year 2006; Library Journal 5-star rating in 2016 (highest in Florida)
- $2 million renovation completed January 2022 with solar panels, private study rooms and improved children's area
- Seed Exchange Library (est. 2013): borrow organic, non-GMO seeds for your garden — free with a library card
- Art on the Move: check out original artwork to display at home, just like borrowing a book
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
New Port Richey cardholders access free eBooks, streaming, and research tools through the Florida Electronic Library and the Tampa Bay Library Consortium:
📚 Services
- Library card and catalog borrowing — books, DVDs, audiobooks and more
- Seed Exchange Library: borrow organic, non-GMO seeds each season
- Art on the Move: circulating original art collection for home loan
- Theater passes: two free tickets to Richey Suncoast Theatre shows for adult cardholders
- Notary public services ($10, by appointment, government ID required)
- Public computers, printing, scanning & faxing
- Tech device lending: tablets and mobile hotspots
- Mobile Library Branch (ELROY): scheduled outreach to underserved neighborhoods
- Homebound delivery services
- Adult literacy & English language learning programs
- Interlibrary loan
🎸 Programs
- Riverside Concert Series — free outdoor performances
- New Port Richey Film Festival — annual community event
- StoryWalk in James E. Grey Preserve — outdoor reading trail
- Tasty Tuesdays Community Market (Tuesdays 9am–1pm)
- Children's storytimes and youth reading programs
- Summer Reading Program
- Gaming tournaments and tech classes
- Tobacco cessation classes
📍 Nearby Libraries in the Tampa Bay Area
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in New Port Richey · Browse all Florida libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did New Port Richey Public Library open, and who founded it?
The library opened April 10, 1920, when civic leader Elroy M. Avery established the Avery Library and Historical Society in the Snell building with about 2,000 volumes. The first book cataloged was a Scofield Bible. The city formally took ownership in 1963, and it has operated as New Port Richey Public Library ever since.
What is the Seed Exchange Library, and how does it work?
Launched in August 2013, the Seed Exchange lets cardholders check out packets of organic, non-GMO seeds just like a book. After your growing season, you return seeds (or seeds of the same type) so the collection stays stocked. It's free with a valid library card.
How do I get free theater tickets through the library?
Adult full-access cardholders can register online for available performances at the Richey Suncoast Theatre, a historic venue just blocks away. Each registration provides two complimentary tickets; you print the confirmation email and present it at the box office. One registration per card per show applies.
Is the New Port Richey Public Library part of the Pasco County library system?
No. It operates independently from the Pasco County Library System — it is the only public library in Pasco County that is not part of that county cooperative. It does collaborate with Pasco County Libraries on joint programming and belongs to the Tampa Bay Library Consortium's SUNLINE database network.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services by state.
📚 This library has study rooms. See how library study rooms work — booking, time limits and quiet vs group rooms — and find other libraries with study rooms libraries with study rooms by state.
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