WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2021 AT 11:00 AM

GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY

What a beautiful morning for a groundbreaking ceremony! Blue skies and a gentle breeze welcomed all the attendees to the event. Okay, there was some dirt in the air as Willis Smith Construction was hard at work preparing the ground, but it didn’t spoil the day.

Commissioner Bellamy provided the invocation and Lee Washington, Interim Director of Neighborhood Services introduced the speakers. “We are thrilled, delighted, excited, ecstatic, elated, dancing a jig and over the moon that this day has arrived,” said Dr. Sue Ann Miller, President of the Friends organization. There were several obstacles to overcome during the past several months before the Manatee County Commissioners approved the build action in October 2021.

District 5, Commissioner Baugh thanked the Friends for all their support and advocacy to bring this library to Lakewood Ranch. The library will be located on the first floor (until needed expansion) of the two-storied, 50,000 square-foot building that includes a rooftop terrace.

“Libraries have been and still remain the primary institution for community and personal growth and empowerment,” stated Lee Washington. The Friends certainly know this and will continue to advocate for hours returning to before the 2018 recession, kiosks at underserved areas, and staffing to meet the Florida Public Library Standards.

To view the speech from the groundbreaking, presented by President of the Friends, Dr. Sue Ann Miller, click here. To view the Event Program, click here. Thanks to Bonny Rosser for her outstanding photography!