Editing Leon County, Florida (section)

===Libraries===
Leon County operates the Leroy Collins Leon County Public Library, with 7 branches serving the county:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cms.leoncountyfl.gov/Library|title=Leroy Collins Leon County Public Library|website=Leon County|access-date=January 9, 2020}}</ref>
* Leroy Collins Main Library
* Northeast Branch Library
* Eastside Branch Library
* Dr. B.L. Perry, Jr. Branch Library
* Lake Jackson Branch Library
* Woodville Branch Library
* Jane G. Sauls Fort Braden Branch Library

The Leon County Public Library was renamed in 1993 to honor [[LeRoy Collins]], the 33rd governor of Florida.<ref>{{cite web|title=Governor Thomas LeRoy Collins|url=http://cms.leoncountyfl.gov/Library/LibraryInformation/About-LeRoy-Collins|website=LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library|access-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref>

====History of library services====
[[File:The Columns.png|thumb|upright|The James Madison Institute (known as "The Columns") was the first home of the Leon County Free Public Library.]]
The Carnegie Library of Tallahassee provided library services to the black community before desegregation. It was the first and only public library in Tallahassee until 1955. Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie offered Tallahassee money to build a public library in 1906. According to Africology: The Journal of Pan African Studies, the library was built on the FAMU campus because the city refused the donation because it would have to serve the black citizens. "The facility boasted modern amenities such as electricity, indoor plumbing and water supplied by the city. In later years, the Library served as an art gallery, religious center, and in 1976, became the founding home of the Black Archives Research Center and Museum. By functioning both as a repository for archival records and a museum for historical regalia, the center continues to render academic support to educational institutions, civic, political, religious and Museum. By functioning both as a repository for archival records and a museum for historical regalia, the center continues to render academic support to educational institutions, civic, political, religious and social groups, as well as, public and private businesses throughout Florida and the nation."<ref>{{cite journal |title=Carrie Meek - James N. Eaton, Sr. Southeastern Regional Black Archives Research Center and Museum |journal=Africology: The Journal of Pan African Studies |volume=10 |issue=2 |year=2017 |pages=263–272 |url=http://www.jpanafrican.org/docs/vol10no2/10.2-22-Carrie.pdf }}</ref> The building was designed by noted architect William Augustus Edwards and was built in 1908. On November 17, 1978, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

The Carnegie Library of Tallahassee, which served only the black community, became the only free public library in the city until 1955. According to the Leon County Public Library's website, the American Association of University Women formed the Friends of the Library organization in 1954. The formation of the Friends of the Library was in direct response to the fact that "Tallahassee was the only state capital in the United States not offering free public library service."<ref name="cms.leoncountyfl.gov">Leon County. (2002-2016). Library History. Retrieved April 9, 2018, from Leon County Florida Government: http://cms.leoncountyfl.gov/Library/LibraryInformation/Library-History</ref> A year later, the library was established by legislative action and developed by citizens and civic groups. The first Leon County free public library opened on March 21, 1956. The first building to house the library was The Columns, one of the oldest remaining antebellum homes in the Leon County area, at Park Avenue and Adams Street (now the home of the James Madison Institute).

In order to expand library services, the Junior League of Tallahassee donated a [[bookmobile]] to the library. The vehicle was later donated to the Leon County Sheriff's Office to be used as a paddywagon for its Road Prison. In 1962, the library moved to the old Elks Club building at 127 North Monroe Street. Public transit in the city of Tallahassee had been desegregated by 1958, but the public library system was only integrated several years later.

In the early 1970s, Jefferson and Wakulla Counties joined the Leon County Public Library System, forming the Leon, Jefferson, and Wakulla County Public Library System. According to the library's website, "Leon County provided administrative and other services to the two smaller counties, while each supported the direct costs of their library services and their share of Leon's administrative costs."<ref name="cms.leoncountyfl.gov"/> In 1975 the system started a branch library in Bond, a predominantly black community on the city's south side. Wakulla County left the library cooperative in 1975 to start its own library system and in 1978 the main library moved to Tallahassee's Northwood Mall. Jefferson County left the library cooperative in 1980 and the library reverted to the Leon County Public Library. In 1989, "ground breaking was held on March 4 for a new $8.5 million main library facility with 88,000 feet of space. The site was next door to the library's original home, The Columns, which had been moved in 1971 to 100 N. Duval."<ref name="cms.leoncountyfl.gov"/> The new library had its grand opening in 1991 and was renamed in 1993 in honor of former Governor LeRoy Collins.