Library “Friends” add $12,000 to construction fund
The expansion construction fund for the Fort Myers Beach Public Library just got a little fatter.
On Wednesday, April 20, Friends of the Beach Library President Betty Simpson presented a check to Library Director Dr. Leroy Hommerding in the amount of $12,000.
The donation money was collected through the Friends’ bookstore, the recent library yard sale and sales from the contributed cookbook, tote bags and gift bags as well as fans and other trinkets that are available for purchase at the library.
“It’s just been a series of things that we have been able to sell and give people exposure to what we have here at the library,” said Simpson. All volunteers did the fundraising.
“It’s a Godsend,” said Hommerding, with a laugh. “We are very close to the $500,000 mark for contributions.”
Friends of Beach Library are 130-150 members strong and contribute close to $20,000 per year to library needs. The 52-inch Phillips monitor screen near the library front desk is an example. The Friends Fabulous Franks are moneymakers at functions like the Fourth of July parade and sales.
“I am very happy that the friends are here. It is in synch with the community. We are looking forward to the expansion,” said Hommerding.
Friends of Beach Library meet roughly once a month.
“We are a very compatible group that meets right here in the library conference room,” said Simpson.
Hommerding said space would grow smaller as renovations to the standing building begin. He recently met with architects and contractors to discuss the expansion schedule. The 16-month construction period includes the planned expansion in 11 months and the renovation in 3 to 5 months. The proposed budget is $7.8 million.
“When we build the highest point of the structure, we’ll be having a topping ceremony with a lit tree way up on top,” said the library director.
Renovations include bringing the windows up to code to withstand winds up to 120 miles per hour as well as a temporary entrance for safety reasons.
“To avoid the possibility that the crane would topple, for whatever reason, we don’t want to risk anyone getting hurt. So rather than using this front entrance, we’re going to be setting up a temporary entrance by the bay window,” said Hommerding. “By the end of this month, there will be temporary stairs and a long ramp there.”
Once the renovation and expansion is complete, a ground-level entrance will aid the elderly and handicap in entering the building -something that has been an issue with older library cardholders.
“The best feature of the new building is that people then will finally be able to enter at the ground level and access stairs or an elevator,” said Friends’ Treasurer Pat Smith. “That’s necessary here.”