Gulf Gate Library opens at Sarasota Square Mall

Gulf Gate Library teen coordinator Robert Vaura pulled a ladder out of an old wood dressing room Feb. 20, for a better view of the library’s newly opened temporary location at Westfield Sarasota Square Mall.

Sarasota County Commission Chairwoman Carolyn Mason cut the blue ribbon at 10 a.m., and more than 60 library patrons and stakeholders entered into the 18,000 square foot space next to JC Penny.

Commissioners Charles Hines and Nora Patterson also attended the meeting.

The entire Gulf Gate collection will be at the leased space until the county completes the new library.

“I think it’ll shake me up a little bit,” said Grace Haake, a member of the Friends of Gulf Gate Library. “I never come down this way, so I’ll get to see a new area.”

Haake was impressed at the expanded and more organized Friends of the gulf Gate Library used bookstore located at the front of the temporary space.

The Sarasota County Area Transit route no. 5 will run to the new location, which is less than two miles from the future Gulf Gate Library.