The West Florida Public Library’s main branch, located at 200 W. Gregory St. downtown Pensacola, will close temporarily in connection with the ongoing construction of a new library building on the site. Beginning March 18, the library will be closed for approximately two weeks; the other five branches of the West Florida Public Library system will remain open.
During the closure, library staff will transfer books, computers and other items from the existing building to the new building, which is expected to be finished this week. Once the main branch reopens in the new building, a renovation of the existing building will begin.
“With completion of the new addition, we’ve reached a major milestone in this project,†said Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward in a released statement. “By reusing the existing building, we’re getting the most out of every dollar, and with the new building’s energy efficiency upgrades, we’ll save on energy costs while greening our City.â€
When construction is completed this fall, a 40,000 square foot Main Library will anchor the West Florida Public Library system. The new building will become the first City facility to gain LEED certification.
“The new facility will provide a quantum leap in library service to Pensacola area residents,†said Library Director Gene Fischer in a statement. “The new building is a positive indication of how Pensacola is progressing.â€
Once completed, the facility will feature an expanded children’s area, new books section, 50 computers for public use, a bookstore, two community meeting rooms, a coffee shop and an atrium.
The project is being funded through $6 million in local sales tax, a $606,500 U.S. Department of Energy grant, and $1 million left over from WFPL’s Tryon Branch on Langley Avenue, construction of which came in under budget. Friends of the Pensacola Library have also contributed $100,000.