New Gulf Gate Library plans in the works

The public is invited to contribute ideas for the design of a new Gulf Gate Library at a community session from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at St. Andrew United Church of Christ, 6908 Beneva Road, Sarasota.

The open house-style meeting will be hosted by Sarasota County staff, including Program Manager Carolyn Eastwood, Project Manager Coleman Knott and Gulf Gate Library Manager Jim Mitchell. They will be joined by representatives from the architectural firm of Harvard Jolly Inc.

“This meeting is about the community and the opportunity for us to listen to those who use the library,” said Libraries General Manager Sarabeth Kalajian, in a news release.

Input about the type of library services people want is the first step in designing the library building. This could include services such as access to books and media, computer resources, programming and meeting space, among others.

The new library will be built on the site of the existing building at 7112 Curtiss Ave., which opened in December 1983. The new library will be a two-story building with about 22,000 square feet.

Funding for the Gulf Gate Library project is provided by the penny surtax (1-cent sales tax) and library impact fees.

For more information, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 861-5000.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].