State Library and Archives of Florida

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.

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.

[5] Previous State Librarians were Cecil Beach, 1971- 1977; Barratt Wilkins, 1977–2003; and Judith A.