About Friends of the Punta Gorda Charlotte Library

History of the Friends

The Friends of the Punta Gorda Charlotte Library was incorporated in 1977 as a non-profit 501(c) (3) corporation, chartered under the laws of Florida, and is a legally distinct entity from Charlotte County and it’s library system.

The mission of the Friends is to promote awareness of, appreciation for and the use of the Punta Gorda Charlotte Library.

To accomplish these goals, the Friends raise money through membership dues, special events and the Friends Bookstore. As a non-profit, the Friends also receives donations and contributions from individuals, businesses, other non-profits and corporations.

What Do We Do?

The Friends provides and participates in the community:

  • Provides the library with much needed funding to increase the media collections, fund children, teen and adult programs
  • Procures furniture and equipment for the library and assist with building maintenance and improvements as needed
  • Provides funding for events and projects that benefit the Charlotte County Library system as a whole
  • Participates in the community and is proud to be a member of the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce
We welcome individuals, families and businesses to become members in the Friends of the Punta Gorda Charlotte Library.

Knowledge is Power

[A message from the Friends President]

My father, a fifth generation Floridian, had been a career Army man. He married later in life and by the time I was born, he was almost ready to retire. After spending my early childhood at Fort Hood, Fort Benning and in Germany, my dad retired and moved us to his hometown of Palatka, which is on the St. Johns River in North Florida.

In the early 1950s we were like many families, living simple lives without much extra money for things like books. My mother was an avid reader and I don’t remember a time when there wasn’t an open book by her chair. To meet my mom’s demand for books and her desire for us to read, we went to the local library every week.

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My hometown was very fortunate to have a wonderful library. James R. Mellon, who was a member of the prominent industrial family, wintered in Palatka’s in what is now the historic district. As an act of philanthropic largess, he commissioned Henry J. Klutho of Jacksonville to design a library. It was completed in 1929 and was donated to Palatka in 1930. The new building was named for his wife, Rachel Hughey Larimer.

The library’s architecture style was a combination of the Prairie School design with Art Deco style elements. The symmetrical facade was incised across the top with the phrases “Ignorance Breeds Crime” and Knowledge is Power.” Two decorative lampposts flanked the stone steps that went up to the recessed portico. The interior has terrazzo floors, a segmented skylight and Art Deco details.

Thousands attended the opening of what was then one of the most modern libraries in the south. It was able to house over 50,000 volumens and the building functioned in that capactiy for 62 years. The beautiful old building was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 2008. It is now the Larimer Arts Center.

Going to the library was one of my weekly joys. I would get excited as I got out of the car, walk up the staircase and wait for my mom to open the heavy doors. In the heat of the Florida summers and living without air conditioning, the coolness of the library would welcome us to the most magical place on earth (it would be years before Disney would build in Florida). The opportunity to choose new books each week and find wonderful authors who would transport me to new adventures and places left me with larger world view than I would have had just living in a small town without a window to the world.

I still believe in the words that I would read each time I walked up the stairs to the library doors; “Ignorance Breeds Crime and Knowledge is Power.”

Libraries today still offer a window to the world and provide the resources to gain knowledge and learn. There is more than just books and magazines at today’s libraries. You can find movies, music, audio books, ebooks, college prep guides, and computer centers. There are programs and events. You can meet authors and take classes. New technology is being offered all the time. There really is something for everyone.

I hope to see you around the library.

Katie Mazzi

Friends Board of Directors

The Board of Directors are members of the Friends of the Punta Gorda Charlotte Library. They are volunteers who work toward the mission of promoting awareness of, appreciation for, and use of the Punta Gorda Charlotte Library.

If you are interested in serving on the Board, please print our application, fill it out and submit it to one of the Board Members.

2020 Board of Directors:

  • President: Minerva King
  • Vice President: Teresa Coady
  • Secretary: Sara Benson
  • Treasurer: Hank Bauman

Thank you to our 2019 Board Members
Not Pictured: Hank Bauman, Luke Andreae, Teresa Jenkins, Penny Shattuck

Board Members

  • Judi Beaumont
  • Georgia Buda
  • Susan Cravens
  • Cecelia Eames
  • Tony Farina
  • Berna Goldberg
  • Nancy Lewis
  • Lois Modrow
  • Geri Saunders

Honorary Board

  • Bill Albers
  • Jerri Marsee
  • Penny Shattuck
  • Virginia Caldwell
  • Jane Fitzpatrick
  • Sara Benson