New North Fort Myers library to open Monday
The temporary location has closed, the books and DVDs are being moved out, and on Monday, at 10 a.m., something the area has been clamoring about for years will finally be a reality.
The new North Fort Myers Public Library at 2001 N. Tamiami Trail will open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with county dignitaries on hand, followed by guided tours of the new facility once it opens to the public.
“It’s something they have wanted for quite some time and the commissioners recognized how important it was, and it’s a milestone in the effort to revitalize North Fort Myers,” said Mindi Simon, library director.
Jill Horrom, manager of internal services, said numerous county officials also will be on hand, including those from the rec center, which is the library’s neighbor, as well personnel from Lee County Emergency Management and Human Services, who will talk about what they offer.
As for the tours, people will get to see what only library workers get to see.
“People will get to go to the back of the house and see how our automatic material handler machine works, and that’s an extra special offering,” Coram said.
The exterior of the library will look similar to the recreation center, featuring an “Old Florida” style appearance and a courtyard.
The interior will have lots of comfortable seating, meeting room space, areas especially for kids, teens and adults, about 50 public computers and the usual books and audio-visual offerings.
“The meeting rooms are for the public. If you have a meeting with 99 people or only seven, we’ll be able to handle it,” Simon said. “We can have Bubblemania and storytime and gaming tournaments all at the same time. It provides space for connection and collaboration.”
The temporary location on Pine Island Road had its last day Saturday after a week of limited services. There will be no library as much of the library’s back collection will be moved to the new library.
The new 26,390-square-foot library replaces the old building that was about a third the size.
The North Fort Myers library was built in tandem with a new one in Bonita Springs, both of which had been planned since 2014 and came with an $11.5 million price tag.