Write Around Tampa

Austin Davis Public Library, 17808 Wayne Road, Odessa

I was a devotee of this place before their renovations about a year ago and now it’s new and improved and I’m even more smitten with it. What could be better than a free bookstore?

Quality and pricing of food and drink:

Pretty affordable, considering I brown bag it. I pack myself a sammy, or a thermos of soup, some barbecue Fritos, maybe a salad. If it’s early I might treat myself to the drive thru window at Dunkin’ and chow down in the old AD (that’s Austin Davis). Note: you’re really not allowed to eat here, but if you’re feeling like a rebel, hide at one of the booths lining the back wall. If you’re a rule follower, there is seating outside in the park, which was also upgraded and offers walking paths, basketball and pickleball courts, just to name a few of the many wonderful changes and additions.

Are there enough outlets?

An abundance. Try not to find one. I dare you.

How’s the wifi?

Excellent, but because it is a system governed by HCPLC there are a lot of security walls in place if you opt to use one of their in-house computers. I once tried to open a document on the Tampa Writers Alliance website and it blocked it. Also of note, if you chose to use one of their computers, there is only one USB port, frustrating for me, as I can no longer toggle between my administrative and novel zip drives when I want to send a query with writing samples.

Will my muse come out?

It sure will. Most people adhere to the no talking rule and wear headphones when listening to audio, so no major distractions to interrupt your flow. Considering the seating is arranged quite eclectically—the booths along the back wall have a diner feel, the clusters of patterned high-backs smattered about lend a coffee shop vibe, the no-nonsense tables and chairs have a classroom feel—you can imagine you’re sitting in any number of places. And did I mention the books? Thousands of titles to stimulate that muse or just take a break from your own writing and get lost in someone else’s.

How long can I park it?

From open until close, which most days is 10-6, closed on Sundays. Bring your own laptop if you want to make it a full workday; in-house computers are available for an hour, three if no one’s waiting. Usually no one’s waiting, and the staff can extend your time beyond the three hours if you ask nicely. An added bonus is once they close at six, you can spend some time decompressing in the park. A full day of feeding mind, body and spirit, all in one place.

Final rating: 5 out of 5 laptops

Rachel Remick’s fiction and non-fiction stories have appeared in various magazines, among them Rosebud, Bluestem and ellipsis . . . literature and art. A frequent contributor to women’s magazine Sasee, her writing has also been published in several volumes of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books. She lives in Tampa, Florida.