The new building more than doubles the size of the old library, which was located in a strip mall. It has a meeting space, a story time area, offices and a coffee bar.
The library is located at the site of the old Roaring '20s restaurant off U.S. 301.
The new building more than doubles the size of the old library, which serves more than 140,000 patrons each year. The new library has room for meeting space, a children's story time area, offices and a coffee bar. In addition it offers 170 parking spaces.
Much of the renovation work and improvements were made possible through grant funding.
Rocky Bluff Branch Manager Brenda Booth said the transition to the new location had gone smoothly thanks to help and enthusiasm from library patrons.
"The community is really excited about the new building and the number of people who had offered their help with anything concerning the move had been phenomenal. The old library was so crowded that we had been unable to shelve all of the books at times. The number of computers available for the public has been more than doubled in the adult area."
The property was offered for $3.9 million two years ago along with just over four acres off U.S. 301. Later the property went into foreclosure, and the Manatee County Commission approved County Administrator Ed Hunzeker's recommendation to buy the building and nearly 10 acres for $700,000. It will be purchased over 20 years with the money the county was spending to lease the former location.
Community and library leaders, staff and residents are proud of the state-of-the-art facility.
Branch Manager Brenda Booth, Friends of the Library and staff welcome you to visit your new library