Library’s reopening anticipated in summer 2026
The Fruitville Library will close Dec. 18 in preparation for “an exciting transformation,” Sarasota County staff has announced.
“The library is scheduled to reopen to the public in summer 2026,” a news release says.
As a Sarasota County Capital Projects Department document explains, the library will be renovated at the same time that a new Sarasota County History Center will be constructed on the site — 100 Apex Road in Sarasota. “The existing History Center is aging and inadequate to house the County’s collections of historic artifacts,” the document points out.
The project design was completed in March, the document says. That expense was $1,942,986, with Sweet Sparkman Architects of Sarasota handling the work, the document notes. Tandem Construction of Sarasota will be the contractor, the document continues.
The company will be paid $26,035,162, the document says. The Capital Improvement Program budget that the commissioners approved in late September for this fiscal year through the 2030 fiscal year shows that a total of $31,366,000 had been appropriated for the initiative.
On July 2, members of the County Commission and staff held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the project.
During that event, Renee Di Pilato, director of the Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources Department, said that she began thinking about the need for a new history center when she was hired for her job about six years ago.
“The special collection, which is full of treasures from our past, deserved an appropriate home, one that would make these incredible resources available to our entire community,” she added.
She and her team, Di Pilato continued, “crafted a vision for something that is much more than a warehouse.”
The History Center webpages point out that the facility “holds more than 570 collections of records from significant people, families, businesses, and organizations from Sarasota County’s past. These records include letters, diaries, business records, photographs, scrapbooks and more.”
The digital collection has nearly 10,000 items from the holdings — mostly photographs, the same webpage says. Further, it notes, the History Center has “an extensive collection of topographical maps, aerial photographs, planning and zoning maps and other cartographical materials relating to Sarasota County dating back to the early 20th century.”
The new facility also will feature “immersive exhibitions that will bring history to life,” Di Pilato pointed out during the July 2 event.
Commissioner Ron Cutsinger, vice chair of the County Commission, told the audience for the groundbreaking that the new History Center will comprise 30,000 square feet in two stories. Staff is using county sales tax revenue — or Surtax funds — along with Library Impact Fees and Tourist Development Tax revenue to pay for the undertaking, he added. “We went everywhere,” Cutsinger said, in trying to pull together the necessary money.
When the library reopens, the county news release points out, that upgraded facility is expected to feature the following:
- A Creation Station with hands-on learning opportunities and “makerspace” activities.
- A renovated children’s area and a dedicated teen room.
- New rooms for collaboration and study.
- Expanded community meeting rooms.
- “A welcoming outdoor courtyard for events and relaxation.
- “Access to the new History Center, celebrating local stories and archives.”
The release further explains, “To maintain access to materials and services during construction, a portable library will open within days of the building’s closure …” That will be located in the Fruitville Library parking lot, “allowing patrons to continue borrowing items” and picking up items on hold.
“Our community has a lot to look forward to,” said Di Pilato, the Libraries and Historical Resources director, in the release. “This renovation will create vibrant new spaces for learning, creativity and connection. While the building is closed, our staff and services will remain available to residents, and we cannot wait to welcome everyone back to a renewed Fruitville Library in 2026,” she added.
During the closure, Fruitville Library staff temporarily will be reassigned across Sarasota County Libraries locations “to support operations and help patrons, so there is no lapse in service,” the release points out. Nearby branches offering full library services are the Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library, which stands at 2801 Newtown Blvd. in Sarasota; Gulf Gate Library, which is located at 7112 Curtiss Ave. in Sarasota; and Selby Library, which stands at 1331 First St., at Five Points in downtown Sarasota.
Patrons may “stay updated on renovation progress, portable library hours and program information by visiting the library website, following Sarasota County Libraries on social media and subscribing to email newsletters,” the release notes.
For more information, visit SarasotaCountyLibraries.org or dial 311.