“Can you believe it?” Fruitland Park Library Director Jo-Ann Glendinning asked the crowd assembled for the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Fruitland Park Library. “I have been working towards this moment since 2013.”
In addition to the Fruitland Park commissioners and city manager, Lake County Manager Jeff Cole and Lake County Commissioner Josh Blake attended the groundbreaking. State Librarian Amy Johnson who oversees Florida’s 528 libraries attended and plans to be back for the grand opening.
Commissioner Blake told the crowd that this library will be much more than books. It will have space for computer classes, literacy programs and tutoring. There will be after-care programs and a room dedicated for children’s programs. There will be three meeting rooms for library activities and for use by non-profit organizations. “This library’s director has a passion for libraries. You are in very good hands,” Blake said of Glendinning. She has been the director of the Fruitland Park library for ten years. Before that she was with the libraries in Tavares and Mount Dora.
City Manager Gary LaVenia said that the occasion was a longtime coming.
“It has taken a lot of effort and discussion to get to this point,” he said.
Mayor Christopher Cheshire said that contrary to some people’s opinions libraries are not dead.
“They have become more than just a place to get books and do homework,” said Cheshire. “Libraries are computer centers and community meeting places. They are important to the community.”
The new library, located next to City Hall on Berckman Street, is scheduled to be completed by the end of November. The projected cost is $2.4 million.
The current library will be used as a community center when the new library opens.
