First public meeting set for new Longboat library

As Sarasota County’s partnership with Longboat Key moves toward building a public library in Longboat, the county will hold its first public meeting with the library director and the architect presenting basic components of the library at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, at the Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.

The public library planned for the Town Center Green project will be Sarasota County’s first new library project since 2018 as well as its first library project on a barrier island.

The Sarasota County Commission took an important step in making the initiative a reality in 2022 when it allocated $1 million toward development costs for a Longboat Key library. An architect and construction manager were given contracts for the project, and the design phase officially began in December 2023. Sarasota County has been working closely with the town of Longboat Key to design and plan a library that will best serve the town’s residents.

“We are excited to bring library services to Longboat Key. From traditional collections and programs to dynamic technology and meeting spaces, the library will undoubtedly serve as a vital community anchor within the town,” said Dr. Renée Di Pilato, director of Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources. “This is something residents have been requesting for a long time, and we’re happy to see it coming to fruition.”

A second public meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. March 18 at the Longboat Key Town Hall.

The presentations will be followed by a breakout session, where the community will have an opportunity to provide input for any potential enhancements to the project. This will allow the community to have a direct impact on the future of the library’s amenities. The cost for the library, which will be county-built and run, may be supplemented by private donations for any enhancements.

Following the public meetings, architects will create and propose designs for the suggested enhancements. These designs, along with cost estimates, will be used for fundraising efforts.

To view the most recent information as the project progresses, please visit SarsotaCountyLibraries.org or call 311.