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Main Library To Close Temporarily
March 13, 2012
The West Florida Public Library’s Main Branch at 200 West Gregory Street will close Sunday, March 18 for about two weeks as part of the ongoing construction of a new library building on the site.
West Florida Public Library’s five other branches will remain open during the closure, including the Century Branch Library.
During the closure, library staff will move books, computers, and other items from the existing building to the new addition, which is expected to be completed this week. After the main branch reopens in the new addition, a complete renovation of the existing library building will begin.
“With completion of the new addition, we’ve reached a major milestone in this project,” said Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward. “By reusing the existing building, we’re getting the most out of every dollar, and with the new building’s energy efficiency upgrades, we’ll save on energy costs while greening our City.”
When construction is completed this fall, a 40,000 square foot Main Library will anchor the West Florida Public Library system. The new building will become the first City facility to gain LEED certification.
“The new facility will provide a quantum leap in library service to Pensacola area residents,” said Library Director Gene Fischer. “The new building is a positive indication of how Pensacola is progressing.”
The finished building will feature an expanded children’s area, new books section, 50 computers for public use, a bookstore, two community meeting rooms, a coffee shop, and an atrium.
The project is funded through $6 million in local sales tax, a $606,500 U.S. Department of Energy grant, and $1 million left over from WFPL’s Tryon Branch on Langley Avenue, construction of which came in under budget. Friends of the Pensacola Library have also contributed $100,000.
Pictured top: A rendering of the new Main Branch of the West Florida Library. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
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One Response to “Main Library To Close Temporarily”
I’d also like to add that the Friends of the Pensacola Library are selling commemorative bricks for $100.00 for the new downtown library. You can buy a brick for $100.00 and they come with a personalized message etched into it (3 lines of 21 characters, subject to approval). The $100 donation is tax-deductible and proceeds to go help our local library system. Contact Friends of the Pensacola Library for more information.