Free event to be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Newtown location
On Saturday, April 19, 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 the community, the staff has announced.
The event will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., a news release says. The library stands at 2801 Newtown Blvd. in Sarasota.
“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,” the release points out.
“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 continues.
“Johnson, who served the Sarasota County community for nearly 40 years at the Selby Library, is passionate about youth literacy,” the release explains. She “was instrumental in creating a permanent library in Newtown. 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,” the release adds.
“In recognition of her invaluable contributions, the Sarasota County Commission renamed the library the Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library in 2019,” the release notes.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by the community and the County Commission,” Johnson said at the time, as the news release points out. “The feeling is indescribable. I’m still pinching myself,” Johnson added.
“The library also honors the legacy of Dr. Edward James II, a beloved community leader who was a strong advocate for North Sarasota,” the release continues. “In 2018, the library’s meeting room was named in his memory, recognizing his voice and support for the community,” the release adds.
“The Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library is more than a place to borrow books,” said Renée Di Pilato, 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. This celebration is not only to honor the past 20 years ,” Di Pilato added, “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 941-861-5000 or 311.