Fernandina Library Branch opens - A sneak peek at the new addition

Submitted by Susan Hardee Steger

Suanne Z. Thamm, Reporter-News Analyst

January 6, 2015 3:40 p.m.

New entrance to the library building on North 4th Street. Note bookdrop on the right.

An excited library staff opened the doors to the new addition of the Fernandina Beach library on Tuesday afternoon after building officials approved a certificate of occupancy.   Over the past weeks, the library was closed as construction ended on the new addition and renovations began on the build's south side.

Library assistants Brittany Gaspar (l) and Sherri Sapp (r) staff the main desk on the first day following re-opening. Shelving in this area will be moved when renovations are completed.

Services are limited until final construction ends but books, with the exception of non-fiction, are available for check out.   Computers are currently housed in the children's room, and fiction now occupies the new meeting room area.  Passport services are available.

Assistant County Librarian Janet Loveless said that Phase I of the library project—the building expansion--is now complete. The next phase involved the renovation of the older portion of the building. But thanks to the flexibility of library staff and its willing volunteers, library operations have been able to resume after less than a month of down time.

Some of the collections will need to be moved again following the completion of the entire project, which will probably take place later this winter. But in the mean time the portion of the new space destined to be the Children’s Room is open, although it shares space with other collections and functions that will ultimately move to the renovated space.

Assistant County Librarian Janet Loveless and Library Assistant Joseph Powers work in the temporary Fiction area, which will ultimately serve as a meeting room.

What will ultimately serve as the new meeting room currently houses the Fiction collection. More than 40,000 items have been stored, and protected, until the existing building can be renovated.

Entrance to library Main Desk area

You may now pick up your hold materials at the Fernandina Beach Library branch location.  Internet access will be limited until Phase II of the project is complete in early February 2015.

Loveless said that patrons have already arrived to browse and check out materials. She said that the new staff spaces will also be a welcome change, “but not before we get up and running to serve the public that has been so patient with us.”

Alachua Street side of library addition

A capital campaign conducted by the  Friends of the Library is still ongoing.  Donations can be made on line, or by sending checks to Friends of the Library, PO Box 17155 , Fernandina Beach, FL 32035.

A major rehabilitation begins on the south side of the Fernandina Beach library branch.