- May 17, 2024
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In 1996, when the East County branch of the Manatee County library system operated out of a double-wide trailer, Tara resident Bill Hager had a wide range of tasks as a library volunteer.
“Back in the old days, we took turns walking the librarians out at night because it was so dark and we were concerned about their safety,” he said.
Twenty five years later, he and other volunteers have different concerns.
As the Braden River Branch Library celebrates its 25th anniversary with a special event March 19, it is hoping to expand again.
Hager is treasurer for the Friends of the Braden River Branch Library, which soon will donate $20,000 to fund a feasibility study and design of an expansion, likely on the library’s western side.
“This is all hopeful," said branch supervisor Cathy Laird, who noted the county has not allocated any money for an expansion. “The county is looking at it. We’ve outgrown our space.”
Laird said the current 15,000-square-foot library, which opened in June 1997, has need for additional meeting space, enclosed study areas and storage.
It opened on its current site with 5,000 volumes of material and three staff members. It served the population spanning east from U.S. 301 to the county line, south of the Manatee River and north of University Parkway.
“With that small collection, they circulated about 7,000 books a month,” Laird said. “That shows there was a great need.”
Today, the library’s statistics show its popularity hasn’t waned. In 2015, the Braden River Branch circulated 275,648 items, including all forms of media, and processed 3,820 new library cards, equating to one circulation every 30 seconds and one new library card every 30 minutes.
Laird said the library continues to look for ways to improve and expand its offerings and programming. The library system, as a whole, is working to create “maker spaces,” at each location over the next few years. The spaces would give a designated area and equipment for patrons to learn certain skills.
