Frederick Eugene Lykes Jr. Memorial Library
🏢 Hernando County Public Library System · Brooksville, Florida
Frederick Eugene Lykes Jr. Memorial Library
Dedicated in 1950 and named for a son of one of Florida's pioneer families, the Lykes Memorial Library has been the heart of Hernando County's public library system for over 75 years — offering free museum passes, a Seed Library, and evening hours on Thursdays from its historic downtown Brooksville home.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Tuesday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Thursday | 12 PM – 8 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 238 HOWELL AVE., BROOKSVILLE, FL 34601
Phone: (352) 754-4043
Website: hernandocountylibrary.us
Plus Code: 76WVHJ46+QX (BROOKSVILLE, FL)
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📖 About Frederick Eugene Lykes Jr. Memorial Library
The Frederick Eugene Lykes Jr. Memorial Library is the flagship branch of the Hernando County Public Library System, situated in downtown Brooksville near the historic Hernando County Courthouse. The library's roots trace to 1910, when the Brooksville Women's Club founded the county's first public library collection under the leadership of Mrs. R.N. Chelf. Ground was broken for the current Howell Avenue building in 1949, and the facility was dedicated in 1950 in memory of Frederick Eugene Lykes Jr., son of a prominent Florida pioneer family whose financial support made the permanent home possible. Expansions in 1960, 1965, 1980, and 1987 steadily enlarged the building, and the system has since grown to four branches serving all of Hernando County. Today the library offers museum passes, a Seed Library, digital genealogy resources, and a collection fully funded in part through Florida's State Aid to Libraries Grant program — a direct benefit to every county taxpayer with a free library card.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1910 by the Brooksville Women's Club — one of Hernando County's oldest civic institutions
- Dedicated 1950 and expanded four times (1960, 1965, 1980, 1987) — core of a 4-branch county system
- Museum pass program — borrow free admission passes to regional attractions with your library card
- Seed Library — check out vegetable, herb & flower seeds for home gardeners
- Thursday evening hours until 8 PM — extended access for working adults
- Florida State Aid to Libraries Grant funding — ensures comprehensive collection for all residents
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your Hernando County card gives you free access to the Florida Electronic Library, Libby eBooks, Kanopy streaming, and more.
📚 Services
- Museum pass program — free borrowed admission passes to regional attractions
- Seed Library — vegetable, herb & flower seeds for checkout
- Public computer workstations with free internet
- Wireless printing via Princh
- Meeting room reservations
- Interlibrary loan
- 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program
🎸 Programs
- 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten — early literacy milestone program
- Summer Reading Program (all ages)
- Children's and family programs
- Genealogy resources and research support (Fold3, HeritageQuest)
- Computer classes and digital literacy workshops
- Creativebug craft & creativity sessions
📍 Nearby Libraries in Hernando & Pasco Counties
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in BROOKSVILLE · Browse all Florida libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I borrow a museum pass from the Lykes Memorial Library?
Hernando County Public Library cardholders can check out passes that provide free or reduced admission to participating regional museums and attractions. Visit hernandocountylibrary.us or call (352) 754-4043 to see which venues currently have passes available and to place a hold.
What is the Seed Library and how does it work?
The Seed Library allows library cardholders to check out packets of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds — just like borrowing a book. Patrons are encouraged to save seeds from their harvest and return them to replenish the collection, building a sustainable community seed exchange rooted in the library itself.
Why is the library closed on Saturdays and Sundays?
The Lykes Memorial Library's current schedule runs Monday through Friday. The system's Spring Hill Branch (Harold G. Zopp Memorial Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive) offers Saturday hours for residents who need weekend access. Check hernandocountylibrary.us for the full branch schedule.
Is the West Hernando Branch Library open?
As of spring 2025, the West Hernando Branch (Staffordene T. Foggia Memorial Library, 6335 Blackbird Ave) was temporarily closed for renovations. Check hernandocountylibrary.us for the current reopening status before visiting that location.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes by state.
🖨 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.
📅 This library has meeting & community rooms. See how library meeting rooms work — booking, policies and fees — and find other libraries with meeting or community rooms meeting rooms by state.
🌱 This library has a seed library. See how library seed libraries work — borrow free seeds, grow them, and save some to return — and find other libraries with a seed library seed libraries by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
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