Celebrate Dunedin Public Library's 130th Anniversary

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Celebrate the Dunedin Public Library's 130th anniversary. 

History of the Dunedin Public Library

Forging a Legacy

The Bouton Brothers & the Birth of Dunedin Public Library

The Dunedin Public Library was established in 1895 thanks to the generosity of Christopher and Nathaniel Bouton, wealthy industrialists from Chicago, IL, who wintered in Dunedin and eventually made it their home.

Pioneers in the iron industry, the two brothers played crucial roles in rebuilding Chicago after the Great Fire of 1871, not only by erecting many of the city's finest buildings but also through their active involvement in financial and humanitarian efforts. Drawn to Florida for its natural beauty and mild climate, the brothers became property owners in the state and lived locally on Victoria Dr.

Nathaniel Bouton owned Dunedin’s public meeting hall, and on April 25, 1895, he transferred ownership to the Dunedin Library Association to establish a public library and free reading room. His brother, Christopher, donated the first 200 books from his personal collection. From that time forward, the building became known as Library Hall and was located on the waterfront in what is now Edgewater Park.

As owners of the Union Foundry Works, the Bouton brothers amassed a significant fortune. Their wealth allowed them to support various philanthropic endeavors, including the establishment of the Dunedin Public Library.

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Building for the Future

The Library’s Expansion

By 1920, Dunedin’s library collection had grown to over two thousand volumes, managed by the Dunedin Woman’s Club. The 1927 land bust and the Great Depression caused financial woes, leading them to propose city management in late 1934. The Dunedin City Commission agreed, and on April 1, 1935, Library Hall was officially deeded to the city, with the collection now at 7,000 volumes. The library remained in Library Hall for another 20-plus years, but growing demands for space led to the construction of a new library on Louden Ave, Dunedin, in 1956.

The Civil Defense League, a volunteer organization, utilized the library to protect the community from potential attacks during World War II. In 1941, a large tower was added to Dunedin’s Library Hall as a location for 24-hour watches for enemy warplanes and submarines. Spotters phoned in descriptions of every plane that flew over to the Aircraft Warning Service (AWS), a civilian service of the United States Army Ground Observer Corps.

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Main Street Memories

A Snapshot of the Past

The Louden Ave. facility quickly became too small for the library’s expanding collection of 18,000 items, necessitating a new building. Earnest discussions began regarding funding and potential sites. Ultimately, the Dunedin City Commission pledged $55,000 for a new library, and the Friends of the Library organized a fundraising drive that raised an additional $10,000. A new, thoroughly modern facility was designed and constructed, opening in the heart of Dunedin's downtown at the corner of Main and Grant in May 1964. The library remained at this location for 12 years.

The library quickly outgrew its Main Street location. When space constraints forced it to vacate, the City of Dunedin repurposed the building into Dunedin City Hall. This conversion served the city's administrative needs until just a few years ago. Subsequently, a new City Hall was constructed on Louden Ave. In 2023, the old building on Main Street was demolished, marking the end of its historical chapter.

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The Final Chapter

Securing a Permanent Library Space

In 1976, the library moved to a new location, which originally housed the Douglas Plaza Shopping Center. Initially, the library operated out of a large space in the Plaza. However, in 1986, the city secured a permanent home for the library by purchasing the entire property. In 1989, the estate of retired attorney Franklin Chase Milliken was generously bequeathed to the City of Dunedin specifically for the benefit of the Dunedin Public Library. This donation, along with city funds and money raised by the Dunedin Friends of the Library and the Dunedin Public Library Foundation, made the construction of a new and custom library building possible.

Plans were drawn up and construction on a new facility began. In 1995, the library moved out of the Plaza before it was demolished to make way for the library building you see today. Library operations were temporarily relocated to trailers at the west end of this site. The current library building, standing before you now, was completed and opened to the public on September 3, 1996. It has served the community for almost 30 years.

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Building Together

The Legacy and Future of Library Support

The Library has long been the cornerstone of our community, offering more than just books—it provides a space for learning, growth, and connection. The Dunedin Public Library's journey is a testament to the enduring support from the community, the Dunedin Friends of the Library, and the Dunedin Public Library Foundation.

Public Support

Community members have always been the backbone of our library’s success. Through donations, volunteer hours, and participation in library programs, the public has shown an incredible commitment to preserving and growing our library.

Dunedin Friends of the Library, Inc.

For decades, our library has thrived thanks to the unwavering commitment of the Dunedin Friends of the Library. Their tireless fundraising efforts and volunteer work have enhanced and expanded our services, ensuring the library remains a vibrant hub for everyone.

Dunedin Public Library Foundation, Inc.

Established to secure our library's future, the Library Foundation provides financial stability through endowments and planned giving. Their strategic vision and financial stewardship are crucial for maintaining and expanding the library's impact for future generations.

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Facts About the Dunedin Public Library

Historical Facts

  • Started with a donation of 200 books in 1895 and was run by the Dunedin Library Association
  • In 1920, the Dunedin Women’s Club took over the running of the library 
  • The library was founded before Dunedin officially became a city
  • The library was founded before there was a fire department, established in 1913
  • The City of Dunedin took ownership of the library from the Dunedin Women’s Club in 1935 
  • Dunedin Friends of the Library was founded in 1962
  • Also, in 1962 the library become a “thoroughly modern” enterprise with the installation of an electric materials charging system
  • In 1985, the Library began loaning out VHS videotapes
  • The library has occupied 6 different buildings, the most recent since 1996
  • The library joined the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative (PPLC) in 1990.  PPLC provided library services for almost everyone in the county
  • In 1990, the library became the sole beneficiary of the estate of Franklin Chase Milliken, a retired lawyer who had passed away the previous year. Described as an “education buff,” Mr. Milliken had been a frequent library visitor, spending many hours reading and browsing. At his death, he generously left $1.3 million to the City of Dunedin to be used for the building of a new library building
  • On October 1, 1992, the Library went digital – the entire library catalog was accessed by the card catalog but via a computer terminal

Past Library Locations

  • April 1895 – Library Hall in Edgewater Park 
  • 1956 – Virginia Street and Louden - site of current City Hall 
  • May 1964 – corner of Main and Grant Streets – building later served as City Hall from 1976 to 2023 
  • December 1976 – opened in the recently vacated WT Grant Store at 223 Douglas Ave  -building would be demolished for a new building in 1996 
  • September 1996 – current building opened 
  • January 2007 – The Dunedin Friends Branch was opened in the Dunedin Community Center 

Reasons to Gather

  • Book Clubs 
  • Storytimes 
  • Adult Programs (crafts, talks, etc.) 
  • Puzzle Table 
  • Tuesday Movies 
  • Tech Help 
  • SHINE – Free program, staffed by state-trained volunteers to help you make decisions about Medicare programs 
  • Homework Help 
  • Youth Programs 
  • Friends Bookstore 
  • Literacy Council of Upper Pinellas office and trainings
  • DAR (Caladesi Chapter) Genealogy Assistance 
  • Guardian ad Litem (GAL) training
  • Study Rooms 
  • View the various displays at the entrance, youth, circulation, the “living room”
  • View the library murals

Items to Check Out

  • Large Print Books 
  • Paperbacks 
  • Audiobooks 
  • E-books 
  • E-audiobooks 
  • Streaming Movies, Shows & Music
  • Music CDs 
  • DVDs 
  • Blu-rays 
  • Tonie Boxes 
  • Children’s Puzzles 
  • Children Picture Books 
  • Oversize Books 
  • Newspapers 
  • Magazines 
  • Vox Books 
  • Ukuleles 
  • Wi-Fi Hotspots
  • Seed Packets 
  • Birding Backpacks

Engage Online

  • Libby – e-books, e-audiobooks, e-magazines 
  • Hoopla -- e-books, e-audiobooks, e-magazines 
  • Library App – check your account and request items  
  • Virtual Author Talks 
  • LinkedIn Learning - Choose from thousands of online courses to learn in-demand skills from real-world industry experts
  • Kanopy – stream movies 
  • Tumblebooks for kids – picture books come alive through this online service 
  • Dunedin Times – complete access to the former paper of record for Dunedin 
  • New York Times – complete access to newspaper and their archives 
  • Tampa Bay Times - all articles, photos and features found in the printed paper available online
  • Newsbank - U.S. news content from local, regional and national sources
  • Ancestry.com - genealogical and local history research
  • AtoZ Databases – locate people, businesses, and find a job 
  • Gale Legal Forms - a wide selection of state-specific forms and resources
  • Mometrix Test Prep – prep for tests (SAT, ACT, Construction, Medical, etc.) 
  • Pronunciator – learn a new language

Reference Desk 

  • Passport appointments
  • Tech Time appointments
  • SHINE appointments
  • Find a book/CD/DVD
  • Request an item from other public libraries in Pinellas County
  • Request an interlibrary loan for a book from outside the county 
  • Recommend a resource (book, DVD, etc.) for the library to purchase
  • Get book/DVD recommendations
  • Sign out a study room
  • Sign up for Book Clubs
  • Sign up for Adult Summer Reading
  • Get help with printing
  • Get a computer guest pass
  • Read the latest edition of the newspaper
  • Review Reference and Genealogy books
  • Reserve a hot spot

Youth Services

  • Find a book
  • Storytimes
  • Crafts
  • AWE Learning Machines
  • Teen Volunteer Program
  • Youth Summer Reading
  • Great American Teach In participants
  • Library playground
  • Candy guess challenge
  • LEGO challenge

Circulation Department 

  • Check items in and out 
  • Pick up holds brought from other libraries by the courier 
  • Pick up interlibrary loan books
  • Register or renew library cards 
  • Voter registration  

Dunedin Friends of the Library 

  • Volunteers keep the bookstore running throughout the year 
  • Volunteers use library donations to stock the bookstore
  • Hosts the Milliken Luncheon every year
  • Money made through book sales go to support youth and adult programs
  • Donated money for the naming rights to the Dunedin Friends of the Library Branch, which opened January 2007 in the new City Community Center
  • Holds two annual book sales a year, one mini and one large
  • Receives three library newsletters a year with upcoming programs and events
  • Has over 400 members

Dunedin Public Library Foundation, Inc. 

All contributions to the Foundation are used to fund an endowment. The funds are invested, and the income they produce are used exclusively to benefit the library and ensure its future for generations to come. Contributions include:

  • The Moffat Reading Room
  • Self-checkout machines
  • CD/DVD disc cleaner
  • Audio-visual system in the Meeting Rooms and StoryTime Room
  • Blackout curtains in the Meeting Room
  • Wi-Fi hotspots
  • Author visits
  • Virtual Author Talk program through the Library Speakers Consortium
  • Dedication benches
  • Wonder Wall in the Youth Department

Famous Author Visits 

  • Tim Dorsey 
  • Craig Pittman 
  • Debbie Macomber 
  • Garth Stein 
  • Kristin Harmel 
  • Carolyn Hart 
  • Michael Koryta 
  • John Searles 

 

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