Gulf Gate Library
The Gulf Gate Public Library is part of the Sarasota County Public Library System in Sarasota, Florida. The library is located in is located in the community of Gulf Gate Estates near the beaches of the Gulf Coast. In 1977 the Library opened in a storefront on Gateway Avenue in the same community prior to the donation of a two and a half acre plot of land by a local resident. By the end of 1983 the new building was completed and opened to the public at 7112 Curtiss Avenue. This building served the public until 2013 when the library closed and relocated to a temporary location in a local mall while the new building was constructed. The new permanent and much expanded and updated library opened to the public in January 2015.
Design and Construction
The county hosted a series of public meetings to gather input on the from the surrounding community on design and services for the new library. Some of the key suggestions from the community included building location, outside reading areas, and programming. In terms of the building location patrons requested the library entrance be more accessible from more parking spots. Consequently the new building was situated in the center of the property to allow for equal parking on each side of the building. Other features of the 26,000 square foot two story building is automated book-sorting technology, "hearing loop" for the hearing impaired, outside reading gardens, and WiFi access. Also in an effort to make the building more energy efficient several features such as LED lighting, windows to allow for natural lighting, water efficient fixtures, and locally produced and Recycled Building Materials. The company selected for the design was the Harvard Jolly Architecture.
The newly built library reopened in January of 2015 and in October received LEED-Silver certification for sustainability and also named Florida's small public Project of the Year. The acronym stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is awarded by the United States Green Building Council. Some of the green features include drought resistant and native plants for landscaping with minimal sod; neighborhood location, bus stop next to the building, and electric-car charging station; led lighting; chilled-water air-conditioning compressors; and large window for natural lighting.
Services
The library offers two outside reading areas for patrons, one is near the juvenile reading area and the other is near the adult book section of the library. They also offer multiple reading and gathering areas throughout the library and conduct technology classes with a partnership with Suncoast Technical College. Due to the split level design of the library a librarian is stationed upstairs to assist patrons with technology and reference questions. Other services include a large print section; a separate teen and juvenile areas; regular special programming such as baby rhyme and sign program; read to the dogs; and other special programming. The teen section has a dedicated librarian and meets on a regular basis with the teen advisory board regarding programming and services. In addition, the library has a dedicated Friends of the Gulf Gate Library group. The Friends group played in ACTIVE role in fund raising for the new library and provided funding to purchase a lot for additional parking and upgrades for equipment in the teen and juvenile areas.
The library also partners with non-profit groups in the area as well as with other near by counties for programming. One of the classes offered in a gardening and plant program hosted by the county extension service, a division of the University of Florida. They also provide meeting rooms for other non-profit groups and study rooms for 1-6 people. In addition, the library has a section for honor system books. These books are available to anyone with or without a library card and can be returned at anytime or never.
Hours of Operation
Gulf Gate Public Library is open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They are closed Sunday and all County holidays.