Page 30 - Florida Sentinel 2-26-21

Local
St. Petersburg Main Library To Bear Name Of President Obama
The St. Petersburg Main Library, 3745 9th Ave. N., will be renamed the Presi- dent Barack Obama Main Library, in honor of America's first African Amer- ican president and part of the City of St. Petersburg's cele- bration of Black History Month.
The dedication ceremony will be streamed via Face- book Live on Friday, Feb. 26 at 11 a.m. and can be viewed at facebook.com/StPeteFL.
A limited number of attendees will be permitted on site at the dedication, with masks being necessary when within six feet of others.
Mayor Rick Kriseman
said, "I am incredibly excited for this dedication. As I said
three years ago when we an- nounced the changes we will see here and the new name for St. Petersburg's main library, highlighting Barack Obama's extraordinary story and his- tory-making presidency in this way will inspire generations of young people. I believe the President Barack Obama Main Library will not only complement city buildings bearing the name of local trailblazers, but will serve as an example to other cities.
“Our main library has always been an exciting hub for learning in our city. It is made all the better by honoring Presi- dent Obama."
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
The dedication and in- stallation of a new sign will kick off renovations at the library. The 55-year-old facil- ity will undergo a $6 million renovation, funded by Penny for Pinellas sales
tax revenue. The renovations will include an upgraded rear patio and out- door gathering space, recon- figuration of interior spaces with new program- ming areas, additional park- ing spaces, ADA-compliant restrooms, HVAC improve- ments, asbestos abatement and fire protection.
The Main Library will be temporarily closed for the renovations starting
Thursday, April 1. Library patrons will be able to return items checked out from the Main Library at other St. Petersburg Library System locations and essential services will con- tinue to be provided by the open libraries in
accordance with existing health and safety measures.
Library patrons will be encouraged to visit the other St. Petersburg Library Sys- tem locations:
Childs Park Community Library: 691 43rd St. S.
James W. Johnson Com- munity Library: 1059 18th Ave. S.
Mirror Lake Community Library: 280 5th St. N.
North Community Li- brary: 861 70th Ave. N.
South Community Li- brary: 2300 Roy Hanna Dr. S., and
West Community Li- brary: 6700 8th Ave. N.
The renovations are ex- pected to be completed by late 2022/early 2023.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY PAGE 13-A