About Us :

On November 5, 2001, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners voted to rename the Peninsular Branch Library as the Charles J. Fendig Public Library in honor of former chairman of the Tampa Public Library Board, Charles J. Fendig.

The Charles J. Fendig Public Library, originally known as the Peninsular Branch Library, opened for service on 1 November 1960 in a rented storefront located at 3837 Neptune Street. The opening day book collection numbered just under 2,000 volumes. 136 books circulated that first day and 155 people stopped in to the see the new library. By 1968 the library had outgrown its quarters. The collection numbered approximately 15,900 volumes and the library had the highest circulation of any of the city's seven branch libraries.

A new, modern library became a reality in August 1968. It was built at 3909 Neptune Street at a cost of $346,000. The brick building featured four pods with sloping roofs running up to skylights and was 12,000 square feet. The architectural firm of McElvy, Jennewein, Stefany and Associates was responsible for the design of the building.

Renamed in 2001 after Charles J. Fendig, a long time Library Board member, the same building continues to serve as a library for the surrounding south Tampa community. The diverse collection, which includes books, magazines, newspapers, video and audio cassettes and compact discs, provides homework support and leisure interest materials for customers of all ages.