Waldo Branch Grand Opening - Saturday, June 8th (Alachua County Library District)
June 10, 2019
Media Advisory – June 7, 2019
Waldo, Fla. – The Alachua County Library District invites community members to celebrate the Waldo Branch Grand Opening at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 8 at 15150 NE U.S. Highway 301.
The new space is approximately five times larger than the current location. The branch will be housed in a former Dollar General Store, which was reimagined by architect Paul Stresing Associates, Inc. and renovated by general contractor Hoffman Construction. With room to grow, the Waldo Branch’s collection will expand from 6,500 items to 10,000 materials, a 54 percent increase.
“We look forward to expanding services in Waldo with the opening of our newest branch. We have been humbled by the community’s support and generosity throughout the construction process,” said Alachua County Library District Director Shaney T. Livington. “We are excited to provide fresh opportunities for our patrons to participate, connect and discover with our ARTspace, Quiet Reading Room and community meeting space. Youth will also enjoy their own designated areas to learn and explore in our Snuggle Up Center and Teen Space.”
The Waldo Branch first opened in June 1996 in its current location at 14257 Cole St. The City of Waldo has leased the location to the Library District for more than 20 years. The Cole Street location will close on Friday, May 31 in preparation for the move.
The Alachua County Library District Foundation generously funded the Snuggle Up Center and the Teen Space and the Friends of the Library funded the Quiet Reading Room and a commemorative statue. The preliminary cost for the expansion/renovation, including upgraded furnishings, is $814,000. The cost to purchase the building was $325,000.
New Waldo Branch by the numbers:
If a person with a disability needs an accommodation in order to participate in this event he or she is entitled, at no cost to him or her, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the Alachua County Library District at 352-334-3910 at least three (3) days prior to the event. TTY users, please call 711 (Florida Relay Service).
Waldo, Fla. – The Alachua County Library District invites community members to celebrate the Waldo Branch Grand Opening at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 8 at 15150 NE U.S. Highway 301.
The new space is approximately five times larger than the current location. The branch will be housed in a former Dollar General Store, which was reimagined by architect Paul Stresing Associates, Inc. and renovated by general contractor Hoffman Construction. With room to grow, the Waldo Branch’s collection will expand from 6,500 items to 10,000 materials, a 54 percent increase.
“We look forward to expanding services in Waldo with the opening of our newest branch. We have been humbled by the community’s support and generosity throughout the construction process,” said Alachua County Library District Director Shaney T. Livington. “We are excited to provide fresh opportunities for our patrons to participate, connect and discover with our ARTspace, Quiet Reading Room and community meeting space. Youth will also enjoy their own designated areas to learn and explore in our Snuggle Up Center and Teen Space.”
The Waldo Branch first opened in June 1996 in its current location at 14257 Cole St. The City of Waldo has leased the location to the Library District for more than 20 years. The Cole Street location will close on Friday, May 31 in preparation for the move.
The Alachua County Library District Foundation generously funded the Snuggle Up Center and the Teen Space and the Friends of the Library funded the Quiet Reading Room and a commemorative statue. The preliminary cost for the expansion/renovation, including upgraded furnishings, is $814,000. The cost to purchase the building was $325,000.New Waldo Branch by the numbers:
- 13 more computers, 17 in total.
- Two study rooms.
- 5,000 square feet of community library space.
- 3,100 square feet for Library District storage.
- 23 years since the Library District opened the original Waldo Branch.
If a person with a disability needs an accommodation in order to participate in this event he or she is entitled, at no cost to him or her, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact the Alachua County Library District at 352-334-3910 at least three (3) days prior to the event. TTY users, please call 711 (Florida Relay Service).
Contact:
Rachel Cook, Marketing & Public Relations Manager
rcook@aclib.us, 352-334-3909