Page 15 - Florida Sentinel 8-21-15 Edition

Local
Community Input Needed For Andrews Library Expansion
ANDREW BREIDENBAUGH Director of Library Services
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
The C. Blythe Andrews, Jr., Public Library is currently slated for renovation. Upon completion, the facility will be expanded to a two-story structure located on its current site.
On Wednesday, August 26th, li- brary officials will hold the first public meeting to discuss the ren- ovation of the library. They are re- questing that members of the community who would like to
share their ideas attend the meet- ing. It will take place from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
According to Andrew Brei- denbaugh, Director of Library Services said, “This is our kickoff meeting. We want people to tell us what they want in their library. It will be an open-ended meeting. If we listen closely, the library can be- come the centerpiece of the com- munity.”
Currently, the library is be- tween 8,000 and 10,000 square feet. However, the renovated struc-
ture will become approximately 24,000 square feet. It will feature a second floor and additional park- ing.
The plans include expanding the number of computers for pub- lic use as well as having a Chil- dren’s Library. However, this renovation gives the community the opportunity to make the library unique by requesting specific items included in the renovation plans.
“The community has simply outgrown the library. In today’s so- ciety, so much interaction with
government and businesses are on- line. People must go online to sub- mit applications or apply for services.
“There are always people wait- ing to use the computers. Another issue is the meeting rooms. They are in use practically every day. So, this is a chance for people to come out and tell us what their needs in a library are,” Breidenbaugh said.
He further said libraries are no longer “traditional” in the sense that one mirrors the other. Two li-
braries have full recording studios, some have 3-D printers, and others have a historical slant.
The College Hill Public Library began as a portable library in East Tampa on June 16, 1989. The cur- rent building was completed and opened to the community in Feb- ruary 1994.
The facility was renamed in honor of C. Blythe Andrews, Jr., Chairman of the Board and lifelong journalist of the Florida Sentinel Bulletin newspaper in 2010.
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