Event planned on Oct. 12 with variety of activities, including options for children
To mark the 20th anniversary of the Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library, the staff of the Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources Department will host a free event for members of the community on Saturday, Oct. 12, the department has announced.
Beginning at 10:30 a.m. and concluding at 1:30 p.m., the celebration will feature a variety of activities for all ages, including a keynote address, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live entertainment, children’s activities and community exhibits, a news release says.
Located at 2801 Newtown Blvd., the library “has been a pillar of the community since its establishment in 2003, evolving from a mobile library initiative led by Betty J. Johnson,” the release points out.
“Johnson, who served the Sarasota County community for nearly 40 years at the Selby Library, is passionate about youth literacy and was instrumental in creating a permanent library in Newtown,” the release continues. “With the support of the Friends of the Library, Johnson secured a $10,000 grant in 1979 to start a mobile library service, which ultimately grew into the North Sarasota Library.
“In recognition of her invaluable contributions,” the release continues, the Sarasota County Commission renamed the library the Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library in 2019.
“ ‘It’s an honor to be recognized by the community and the county commission,’ ” Johnson said at the time, as quoted in the release. “ ‘The feeling is indescribable. I’m still pinching myself,’ ” she added.
The library also honors the legacy of Edward James II, “a beloved community leader who was a strong advocate for North Sarasota,” the release notes. “In 2018, the library’s meeting room was named in his memory, recognizing his voice and support for the community.”
“The Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library is more than a place to borrow books,” said Dr. Renee DiPilato, director of Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources, in the release. “It’s been a center for learning and a meeting place for our residents,” she continued. “This celebration is not only to honor the past 20 years but to look forward at the role this library will continue to play in enriching our community.”
For more information, visit SarasotaCountyLibraries.org or call 311 or 941-861-1110