The Key West Library Association rescinded its charge of the library in 1896, and the library was run by various civic groups for the next nineteen years. In 1915, the Key West Women's Association took charge of the library. This club ran the library for 44 years. Through fundraising activities, this group was able save enough money to build a new library that opened in November 1959. The new library was the official Monroe County Public Library, and it serves as the Key West branch of the Monroe County Public Library.