Fort Myers Regional Library
🏢 Lee County Library System · Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers Regional Library
The Fort Myers Regional Library at 2450 First Street is the flagship branch of the Lee County Library System — the same downtown block where Fort Myers held its very first public library in 1900, in a single room at the corner of First and Hendry Streets. Today the Regional serves the system's largest genealogy collection, hosts the annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival at Cornog Plaza, and stays open until 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday for evening researchers and readers.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9am–6pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 2450 First Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: (239) 479-4636
Website: leegov.com
Plus Code: 76RWJ4WM+56 (Fort Myers, 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 Fort Myers Regional Library
The Fort Myers Regional Library is the headquarters branch of the Lee County Library System, which opened in 1964 and today operates 13 branches serving more than 310,000 registered patrons across Lee County. The library traces its roots to 1900, when the first public library in Fort Myers occupied a single room in a store at the corner of First and Hendry Streets downtown. The current Regional location at 2450 First Street houses the system's genealogy research collection and serves as the venue for the Southwest Florida Reading Festival at Cornog Plaza — one of Southwest Florida's premier literary events. Lee County cardholders can text the library at 239-204-5321 for quick reference questions and schedule curbside holds pickup (10 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday–Saturday). The system's online catalog (leecofl.na4.iiivega.com) provides access to the full circulating collection across all 13 branches.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Flagship branch of the Lee County Library System, which traces Fort Myers public library service to 1900
- Houses the system's dedicated genealogy research collection for Southwest Florida family history
- Host venue for the annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival at Cornog Plaza
- Extended evening hours until 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday
- Curbside holds pickup available 10am–4pm Monday–Saturday
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Lee County Library cardholders access these digital resources free of charge:
📚 Services
- Genealogy research collection and assistance
- Public computers, printing, scanning & copying
- Free Wi-Fi and mobile printing
- Curbside holds pickup (10am–4pm Mon–Sat)
- Text-a-librarian at 239-204-5321
- Meeting room reservations
- Interlibrary loan through the Lee County Library System
🎸 Programs
- Southwest Florida Reading Festival at Cornog Plaza (annual)
- Children's storytimes and youth programs
- Adult learning and literacy programs
- Author talks and community events
- Summer reading program
📍 Nearby Libraries in Lee County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Fort Myers · Browse all Florida libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Fort Myers first get a public library?
Fort Myers had its first public library in 1900 — a single room in a store at the corner of First and Hendry Streets downtown. The Fort Myers Regional Library today is located on First Street, continuing that over-125-year tradition of public library service in the same downtown corridor.
Does Fort Myers Regional Library have genealogy resources?
Yes. The Regional Library houses the Lee County Library System's dedicated genealogy collection, including local history materials and access to databases such as Ancestry.com Library Edition and HeritageQuest. Genealogy research assistance is available during open hours.
What is the Southwest Florida Reading Festival?
The Southwest Florida Reading Festival is an annual literary event hosted at Cornog Plaza adjacent to the Fort Myers Regional Library. It brings authors, publishers, and readers together for book signings, readings, and family activities, making it one of the premier book festivals in Southwest Florida.
Can I pick up holds without going inside?
Yes. Curbside holds pickup is available at the Fort Myers Regional Library Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 239-479-4636 or text 239-204-5321 to schedule your pickup.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
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