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Community History Archives

Community History Archive Partner

Union County Public Library

Lake Butler, Florida

Explore this community history collection to discover the people, places, organizations, and events of Lake Butler.

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1Title

Explore publications and collections from the past.

1934 to 2002Dates represented

See individual titles for available dates.

67,028Archive pages

Historical pages reported for this collection.

Explore local history

Discover the people, places, and stories of Lake Butler, Florida.

Discover another side of Lake Butler, Florida through newspapers preserved in the Union County Public Library's digital archive. The archive includes Union County Times, with material from 1934 to 2002.

You can open the archive using the link below.
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  • Selected title

    The collection shared by Union County Public Library features “Union County Times”.

  • Free and open access

    No subscription or payment required.

  • Ways to explore

    Consider when and why the material was created. Keep those details with any quotation or observation you use.

The reporting of earlier years offers a way to explore how events were understood as they happened and how local experiences became part of the historical record. A family story, a classroom project or curiosity about a familiar place can lead to a closer look at the community and the lives of earlier generations. Explore the archive online for free, without a subscription.

Explore the collection

Titles in this collection

Explore Union County Times through 67,028 digitized pages, with material from 1934 to 2002. Through a partnership with Advantage Archives, Union County Public Library shares these sources from the past. Some years or items may be missing between the dates shown.

You may be tracing a family story, exploring a familiar place or simply curious. The source offers a point to begin.

Union County Times

67,028 pages from 1934 to 2002

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About the Library

About The Union County Public Library

The Union County Public Library (UCPL) plays a crucial role in promoting literacy and education in the community. Established in 1986 by a group of dedicated citizens, the library began with a simple mission: to collect and distribute donated books to the public. This grassroots initiative led to a successful referendum in 1988 , securing funding for a special taxing district that enabled the creation of a permanent library facility. Officially opening its doors on March 1, 1990 , UCPL has continuously evolved to meet the needs of its patrons. Initially operating from a modest 1,400 sq ft building, the library expanded to 3,300 sq ft in 1997 , and now occupies a spacious 9,000 sq ft facility, completed in 2009 . Currently, UCPL houses approximately 40,000 books and materials, along with access to thousands of additional e-book titles. The library features 15 public access computers and offers free Wi-Fi, ensuring that all community members have access to essential resources. In addition to its extensive collection, UCPL hosts a variety of programming, including weekly preschool storytime sessions, summer events for children of all ages, and programs tailored for teens and adults. The library’s commitment to community engagement and education makes it a valuable asset to Union County.

Union County Public Library photo 1

Library History

The History Of The Union County Public Library

The roots of the Union County Public Library date back to 1986 when local residents recognized the need for accessible reading materials. Their dedication culminated in a successful 1988 referendum, allowing the establishment of a library dedicated to serving the community’s educational needs. The library officially opened on March 1, 1990 , starting with a limited collection but a strong vision for growth. Over the years, the library has undergone several expansions to accommodate a growing patron base and an increasing collection. The current facility, completed in 2009 , allows UCPL to offer diverse resources and programming tailored to the community's needs. The library's ongoing funding relies on a biennial referendum, demonstrating the community's commitment to maintaining a vibrant and accessible library.

About the Community

About The Union County, Florida

Union County, Florida, is characterized by its rich cultural heritage and commitment to community development. Established in the late 19th century, the county has evolved while preserving its historical roots. Union County's scenic landscapes and small-town charm foster a close-knit community that values education and cultural enrichment. The Union County Public Library serves as a central hub for residents, offering access to historical records, educational resources, and community programs that reflect the area's shared history and cultural significance.

Local History

Did You Know?

Did you know that the Union County Public Library started with a collection of donated books in 1986 ? This grassroots effort by local citizens laid the foundation for what has become a vital community resource. The library has continuously expanded since its official opening in 1990 , currently housing about 40,000 books and offering a wide array of programming for all ages. The library also relies on biennial referendums for its funding, reflecting the strong support of the Union County community.

More ways to explore and share local history

Research Guidance

Look for the story behind a result

The history of Lake Butler includes individual lives as well as events remembered by the wider community. In the digital archive shared by the Union County Public Library, begin with a name, place or date connected with the story you want to explore. When using historical newspapers, try alternate spellings and nearby dates, then read the surrounding page to place a local story in its time. Compare later reporting or another available title to explore different perspectives rather than treating one account as the whole story. Search a person, place, or event with a second term, then compare the date and context of each result. A repeated name needs more evidence before it identifies the same person or connects two parts of a story.

After recording the issue and page, search a second term tied to the result and compare the surrounding dates and accounts. Keep matching names provisional until the place and context fit. This can turn one result into a better question without turning a repeated name into a confirmed story.

Capture the title, date, and page or item location for a detail you may want to revisit. Label your interpretation as your reading, not the source's own words. Keep enough context with the note that another reader can retrace it.

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Community Partnership

Keeping local history a community resource

This community archive is made possible by the collaboration of the Union County Public Library, its community, and Advantage Archives. Together, these partnerships preserve local sources and give people a way to explore, learn from, and share the history around them.

Advantage Archives covers ongoing archive hosting, storage, development, and maintenance. The institution and its community do not pay a subscription, seat license, annual support contract, or other recurring archive-service charge. Local history remains a community resource, not a subscription to maintain.

Would you like to see more of your community's history preserved and accessible? Start a conversation with your library, newspaper publisher, historical or genealogical society, museum, or school about the materials they would like to share and a possible partnership with Advantage Archives.

Learn about partnerships
Read All About It

Stories, research tips, and archive news

Read All About It connects archive research with the people and institutions preserving local history. Explore partner and community stories, project updates, research ideas, and perspectives on digitization, education, and working with primary sources. Use the articles as a starting point for your next question or a new way to share a discovery.

Newest published articles

March 18, 2025

It’s Your Community’s History, So Why Rent Something You Own?

We believe that history belongs to the communities where it was made - not locked behind paywalls or inaccessible due to budget restrictions. Subscription-based services and large content aggregators are generally more concerned with "content" and less concerned with the history that content contains. Their models typically involve a reoccurring charge for a plan that renews annually or licensing agreements with the library based on population served or circulation numbers. You are essentially Renting Access To YOUR History.
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