City of St. Petersburg, Mayor Welch to Reopen the President Barack Obama Main Library

Season 2, Episode 1176, Sep 24, 08:21 PM

Mayor Kenneth T. Welch and the City of St. Petersburg are excited to invite the community to the Welcome Back Ribbon Cutting and official reopening of the refreshed and reimagined President Barack Obama Main Library with a ceremonial ribbon cutting on Saturday, September 27. “The reopening of the long-awaited President Barack Obama Main Library marks a proud moment for St. Petersburg,” said Mayor Kenneth T. Welch. “I want to thank our City staff for their hard work in getting this project completed. This modernized space will serve as a resource for all who live, learn, and grow in our city, providing access to knowledge, technology, and opportunity for every member of the community.“
Welcome Back Ribbon Cutting Saturday, September 27 at 9 a.m.
President Barack Obama Main Library 3745 9th Ave. N, St. Petersburg
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the library will open to the public at 10 a.m. for the first time since closing for renovations. The fully-modernized, approximately 40,000-square-foot hub includes new spaces for programming, community use, and connecting. Join Mayor Welch, City leaders, community members, and local partners as they cut the ribbon and welcome everyone back to a new space that celebrates St. Pete's storied past and bright future. In November, the City will host a larger community celebration to mark the grand reopening with family-friendly activities, interactive programming, and opportunities to connect with the community.
Amenity Details

Extended hours - The Main Library will be open seven days a week - Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Conference rooms - The Obama Room and Small Conference Room will be multi-purpose community rooms.
Auditorium - The new, A/V-capable auditorium will host performances, presentations, and programming.
Public art - Library visitors are greeted by "Looking Out" by Benjamin Butler, an impressive, large-scale installation made of hardwood veneer-core layers of dyed and natural wood with silver leaf. The piece explores parallels between the natural water environment found in Obama’s Hawaiian childhood and the water surrounding St. Pete, and includes a quote from Barack Obama, “I spent my childhood on those shores, looking out over the endless ocean, and was humbled by it.”
Café - Coffee, tea, and snacks provided by a local small business will be available for purchase.
Bookstore - A curated selection of donated books and library merchandise will be available for purchase.
Create to Innovate space - This STEAM-forward workshop will be equipped with tools and equipment for makers.
Children's space & program room - The separated children's areas will host programming, story hours, and activities for kids. A Quiet Room will allow for one-on-one parent care.
Teen room - The teen area features gaming systems, computers, and a lounge vibe.
Functional mezzanine - The newly-renovated mezzanine includes printers, computers, and a computer lab, as well as six study rooms for taking phone calls, working space, and tutoring.
Back-up generator - The new emergency generator will support system-wide operations and Wi-Fi in the event that the library loses power.

“We’re so excited to welcome the community back to the President Barack Obama Main Library,” said Beth Lindsay, Director of Libraries for the City of St. Petersburg. “This space has always belonged to the people of St. Pete, and we can’t wait for everyone to experience how it’s been reimagined for today’s needs and tomorrow’s possibilities.”
Originally built in 1963 by architect William B. Harvard, the library highlights Harvard's talent and impact on St. Petersburg. Harvard's iconic architecture can also be seen in the Williams Park bandshell, the "inverted pyramid" at the former St. Pete Pier, and multiple churches, hotels, and federal buildings. The library’s name honors President Barack Obama, America’s first African American president, and his enduring legacy of hope and civic engagement - values that align with the library’s mission to inform, connect, and empower.

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