Fruitville Library renovations begin with Dec. 18 closure

Fruitville Library will close next week for more than six months of renovations, during which time a mobile unit will provide some, but not all, services at the site just east of Interstate 75.

The library will be closed beginning Dec. 18 and remain so until its planned reopening in July. Beginning in January, a mobile library will operate in the parking lot, allowing patrons to pick up holds, browse through a small collection of titles and get basic information about library services. Specific hours and days of operation have yet to be announced.

The nearest full-service library buildings to Fruitville are the Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library on Newtown Boulevard (7 miles); Selby Library on First Street (7 miles) and Gulf Gate Library on Curtiss Avenue (10 miles). Fruitville Library staff will be temporarily reassigned across Sarasota County Libraries.

Image courtesy of Sarasota County

Image courtesy of Sarasota County

A document describing the capital-improvement project lists the design costs at $1,942,986 and the construction contract at $26,035,162. That document says the county's current history center "is aging and inadequate to house the county's collections of historic artifacts.'' The funding source is Sarasota County's one-penny surtax. Ground was ceremonially broken in July.

With the closure of the Fruitville Library, there will be a brief period over the holidays – before the mobile library sets up shop – that patrons will be unable to access held materials. The library closes at 8 p.m., Dec. 17. Patrons may change hold pickup locations to another library before that date. Call 941-861-1110 for assistance.

Image courtesy of Sarasota County

Among the changes included in the project are:

• A new library addition and History Center, replacing the current site in Osprey;
• Renovated children's room and a new teen space;
• Updated study, meeting and collaboration rooms;
• New green spaces and a central courtyard connecting the library and History Center

“Our community has a lot to look forward to,” said Renee Di Pilato, director of Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources. “This renovation will create vibrant new spaces for learning, creativity and connection. While the building is closed, our staff and services will remain available to residents, and we cannot wait to welcome everyone back to a renewed Fruitville Library in 2026.”