Sarasota County and the Town of Longboat Key are collaborating to construct a 10,000-square-foot library at the Town Center Green. The Longboat Key Library will be a gathering place for residents to meet their neighbors, learn new skills, take part in educational workshops, and enjoy the quality of life that makes Sarasota County a great place to live, work, grow, play and learn.
The Longboat Key Library will become the newest facility in a system currently comprised of 1 0 community branches, a history center, and a mobile library, that provides opportunities for lifelong learning, cultural engagement, and enriching activities for all ages. With an extensive collection of over 2.5 million physical and digital items, the county libraries support the diverse interests and needs of our community members, serving as a vibrant hub for exploration, connection and intellectual discovery.
Sarasota County will be funding a core library that includes collections, technology and meeting rooms. In addition to these spaces, the county will fund ongoing operational costs, including materials and staffing. It is estimated that the annual cost to operate the Longboat Key Library will be $1 million.
Beginning in the early 2000’s an effort to create community space was initiated with a Community Center Advisory Committee, resulting in a March 9, 2004 $6.4 million Community Center Bond Referendum. The Center would have been built along prime waterfront overlooking Sarasota Bay at the Town’s Bayfront Park. It failed.
In 2020 during the final stages of collaboration & concept plans with Ringling College of Art & Design for a $18 million donor-funded initiative for an Arts, Culture & Education Center. That project also failed to come to fruition.
And now…
February & March 2024 the Town hosted Sarasota County for public input workshops for residents to express their needs for a community center. They were asked about components they would like to see brought to the Town Center Green, and the types of programming they desired in a multipurpose facility. We heard not only the need for large meeting spaces for community groups, but also programming based on arts, culture, education, social opportunities, music, manual arts, technology, and lifelong learning. These expressed “needs” is consistent with what we’ve heard for decades. These are all036+.2036+.2+ now within our reach for $3.5 million.
There was also a demonstrated need for resilience & recovery following our recent hurricanes. Examples include: spaces for residents to meet with FEMA, SBA, insurance providers. For those without power, internet, water and other services to recharge themselves, their devices, use wi-fi service to reach out to family. Also, for those with home-based businesses, or damaged office space, to use technology to conduct business.
The core library brings many of these components into the base facility: 3-D printers, resources to help seniors learn how to use newer technologies, creation stations, tutoring, small conference rooms, books, periodicals, and newspapers. The spacious lobby, and collection area provides spaces to relax, read, and socialize.
The other elements – restrooms, all electrical & mechanical systems, staffing, maintenance, programming, staff offices, are all included in the core space and come at no cost to the Town. Staffing, operations, programming, maintenance are all funded by Sarasota County.
The singular cost to the Town lies in the enhanced spaces.
Community space for 200+, which is flexible, multi-purpose space,
the entry plaza which provides pre-function social space and reception area,
the elevated, covered terrace that overlooks the Town Center Green, brings entire campus together, where community members can enjoy markets, art festivals, concerts, and other events taking place there.
