Islamorada Library Branch is Re-opened After a Refresh
- Monroe County Public Library
- Oct 26
- 3 min read
Great news! The Islamorada Library branch is open and back to our regular hours.
Please come check out our newly refreshed digs -- and stay tuned for more improvements to come! Zech, Brandi, Chris and Naomi can't wait to welcome you back.
From the Senior Branch Manager:
To the wonderful members of our Islamorada community, on behalf of the Monroe County Public Library (MCPL) Islamorada Branch and its staff, I want to extend our sincerest gratitude for your support and participation in furthering our mission by attending and offering space for library activities during our refresh. The Islamorada Moose Lodge, Florida Bay Forever, and Windley Key State Park were instrumental in providing space for our children’s programs. Just Older Youth, Inc. (JOY) worked with us to provide continued technical assistance, i.e., cell phones, tablets, and laptops, to a large portion of the adult population. Islamorada’s collective community spirit was further exemplified by many of our patrons who assisted by checking out large numbers of books that did not need to be packed and visiting us at the MCPL Key Largo Branch.
The Islamorada Branch Library returns to normal operating hours beginning Monday, October 27, at 9 a.m. We invite you to drop by (we are at 81830 Overseas Highway, the blue building next to the Fire Department) and check out the refresh. We are sporting new paint, new carpet, and our books are out on display. There are elements still to arrive that are designed to enhance patron library experience. We ask that the spirit that the community exhibited during the refresh continue as all the elements that make our library unique fall into place.
Islamorada is truly a special place where our patrons are willing to help, show up, and give of themselves to ensure what we have and enjoy can be handed down to further generations. The staff of the Islamorada Library Branch are proud to be part of the Islamorada community backbone and eagerly look forward to the new adventures to be found within the library by our patrons.
Thank You!
Naomi Trevino
Senior Branch Manager
Just as a reminder, you can also get Library materials from the Key Largo and Marathon branches – both of which have Pick-up Lockers that are accessible 24/7. You can also borrow books and DVDs from the Library Lending Machine at the Murray Nelson Government Center, 102050 Overseas Highway, Key Largo. Library patrons can get eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming video and much more any time online – get more details at keyslibraries.org/online.
We thank you for your patience while we were making improvements. And we're not done yet! We'll be continuing to add new elements to the refreshed branch as we get ready to celebrate the 60th anniversary of this historic building's service as part of our Library system in 2026.
A proud history of public service
“We are delighted to give this branch the care and attention the Islamorada community deserves,” said Kimberly Matthews, Senior Director of Libraries. “We take our role as stewards of this important piece of Keys history very seriously. This work will help this building continue serving the Islamorada community, as it has for almost a century, and as we prepare to celebrate its 60 years of service as part of the Monroe County Public Library.”
The oldest building in the Monroe County Public Library system, the Upper Matecumbe Key structure was built after the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane as one of two “community houses” meant to shelter the local population in the event of another catastrophic storm.
The building opened in 1938 as the Matecumbe Grammar School. It later served as a meeting place for local churches – and a community refuge during Hurricane Donna in 1960. In 1966, it became the Islamorada branch of the Monroe County Public Library system.
The county has made two additions to the building, in 1983 and 1999, including a Community Room that hosts library and community events, art exhibits, and the Monroe County Elections Office during voting.
