Gulf Gate Library moves to Westfield Sarasota Square Mall | News

Sarasota, Florida -- Patrons of Gulf Gate Library won't be traveling very far for services while a new library is built. A temporary location has been secured at Westfield Sarasota Square Mall.

The County Commission approved a lease agreement on a 20,000-square-foot space at the southernmost end of the mall, adjacent to JCPenny.

The existing Gulf Gate Library is expected to close in December and the new temporary location is projected to open in January 2013.

"This is an ideal site for the Gulf Gate Library service," said Sarabeth Kalajian, General Manager, Sarasota County Library System. "The mall is convenient for library users, located less than 2 miles from the existing library, with plenty of free parking and easy access to public transportation."

The temporary location will also be home to the Friends of the Gulf Gate Library Bookstore.

First opened in 1973, the Gulf Gate Library moved to its current location at 7112 Curtiss Ave., Sarasota, in 1983. Design of the new and larger, two-story library began in January 2012. Funding for the estimated $7.5 million project will come from the penny surtax (1-cent sales tax) and library impact fees.  

For more information, contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000, or visit www.scgov.net.

Release courtesy Sarasota County Government.