The State Library and Archives of Florida is a government

library A library is a collection of Book, books, and possibly other Document, materials and Media (communication), media, that is accessible for use by its members and members of allied institutions. Libraries provide physical (hard copies) or electron ...

with historically significant records of Florida such as private

manuscript A manuscript (abbreviated MS for singular and MSS for plural) was, traditionally, any document written by hand or typewritten, as opposed to mechanically printed or reproduced in some indirect or automated way. More recently, the term has ...

s and correspondence, local government records, photographs, maps, film clips, and materials that complement the official state records and

Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...

history. Located at the R.A. Gray Building on 500 South Bronough Street in

Tallahassee, Florida Tallahassee ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of and the only incorporated municipality in Leon County, Florida, Leon County. Tallahassee became the capital of Fl ...

, Florida's capital, it is mandated by

state law State law refers to the law of a federated state, as distinguished from the law of the federation of which it is a part. It is used when the constituent components of a federation are themselves called states. Federations made up of provinces, cant ...

. Many photos from the Florida Photographic Collection are used frequently for articles on

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and assist users in describing events in Florida history. A selection of archival items from the State Library and Archives are available through the digital outreach program

Florida Memory Florida Memory or the Florida Memory Program (formerly known as the Florida Photographic Digital Imaging Project and Florida Memory Project) is a Library Services and Technology Act-funded internet-based digital outreach program providing free on ...

History

The State Library and Archives of Florida was a library of humble beginnings in the year 1845. Shortly after its admission as a state, the legislature began to realize the vital and crucial need to preserve, protect, and collect documents about the history of Florida. During that same legislative meeting, a statute was enacted naming the "Secretary of State" responsible for the care, collection, organization, and display of all "books and maps belonging to the state be collected together (Florida's 'State' Library, 1909). It was also said in the statute that all such documents be cataloged as thoroughly as possible. However, this task was neglected, and as a result, the library and archives suffered (Florida's 'State' Library, 1909). According to the

Florida Historical Society The Florida Historical Society is an independent, member-supported, 501c(3) not-for-profit organization incorporated in 1856 that publishes the journal ''Florida Historical Quarterly'', originally the ''Florida Historical Society Quarterly,'' an ...

's article during the administration of Dr. Jno. L. Crawford, "a space in the upper corridor of the Capitol was partitioned off and furnished with shelving, and a large number of the (apparently) most valuable of the books, maps, etc., was deposited there; and many such occupied shelves are in the office of the Secretary" (Florida's 'State' Library, 1909). However, when the Capital was remodeled in 1902, the commissioners intended to create space to accommodate the growing library but failed to do so. H. Clay Crawford, Secretary of State at the time, placed shelving on the either side of the basement walls and moved several books unarranged and uncatalogued where they were left in the dusty damp air. It is undetermined just how many documents of historical value lay untouched and neglected in the basement of the State Library, and it was not until some sixty years later that the library flourished as a historical point or reference for its patrons. The State Library would prosper under William Thomas (W.T.) Cash. Cash had been a teacher and experience working in the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate. He wrote several articles and books about Florida history. He would be appointed to be State Librarian in 1927. At this time the State Library was housed in the basement of the Capital building. Later in 1949, it would be moved to the Florida Supreme Court building once construction was complete. Cash would help grow the collection from 1,500 uncatalogued volumes to over 50,000 volumes, with a particular interest in rare books and volumes. He would eventually retire from the State Library in 1951. The State Librarian of Florida is Amy L. Johnson, appointed in 2015. Previous State Librarians were Cecil Beach, 1971- 1977; Barratt Wilkins, 1977–2003; and Judith A. Ring, 2003–2015.

Holdings

*State Government Records *Local Government Records *Manuscripts (Non-Government Records) * Florida Photographic Collection *Genealogical Collection *Legislative Acts Committee Records *Civil War Records *Military Service & Pension Records *Florida Folklife Collection

References

External links

Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services

Florida Department of State, Florida State Archives

Florida Memory
{{Authority control Buildings and structures in Tallahassee, Florida State agencies of Florida Libraries in Florida

History of Florida 1845 establishments in Florida Libraries established in 1845 Public libraries in Florida Government agencies established in 1845

History

Holdings

See also

References

External links