New Port Richey Public Library celebrates a new, modern look

BY MICHELE MILLER
What’s What New Port Richey

June 27, 2022

It was hot and muggy as Florida summer days are and that had attendees of the NPR Library Rededication Ceremony fluttering their paper programs in an attempt to wave off the stifling heat as Michael Knight serenaded them on the sax.

The event, held on Friday, June 24, 2022, in the adjacent courtyard and weekly site of the library’s Tasty Tuesday Community Market, was a welcome observance of local progress despite setbacks caused by the pandemic, labor shortages, supply-chain issues and a tight time frame as not to upset the continuation of library services.

This is the latest upgrade for the city library that launched the Chasco Fiesta as a fundraiser in 1922 and moved several times since its first inception.

The then Avery Library first opened in 1920 on Main Street with some 2,000 books on the shelves, most from the collection of Elroy M. Avery. No doubt it has come a long way with offerings of a variety of print and online materials, technologies, classes, a seed library, a weekly community market, and more.

| Read more history on the New Port Richey library at fivay.org |

NPR Mayor Rob Marlowe welcomed guests and shared his own personal history with the place that had him delving into the science fiction section 55 years ago. He marveled at the transformation that featured an overhaul of the 15,000 square foot space, including the upstairs, and downstairs with new solar panels installed on the roof.

Also speaking was City Manager, Debbie Manns. She shared a quote from her favorite president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, that, “The dedication of a library is in itself an act of faith.” and remarked that the project was the best kind for the city in that it “came in on time, on budget and was high quality.”

Library director Andrea Figart, who oversaw the day-to-day updates, shared a brief view of the 1.8 million reconstruction project that began with a needs assessment study in 2019 and soon had staff moving books and technology on a rotating basis in order to complete the project and keep things going.

When all was said and done the library was only closed for five days, Figart said before nudging attendees to sign the guest book that would be placed in a time capsule to be opened in the year 2050.

The state-of-the-art design, she said, “Will take us into the next 100 years.”

Other speakers included Andy Dogan of Williams Architects and Mark Stalker of Hennesy Construction. Both noted the collaborative teamwork between workers, library staff, and city officials. Also sharing remarks were Joan Hook of the library’s Advisory Board, and Bonnie Martin, president of Friends of the Library.

“When you go into the library it’s like opening a book,” Ms. Martin said. “Each room has its own story and its own chapter.”

Cutting the ribbon at the Rededication Ceremony of the NPR Public Library on June 24, 2022.
PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER

A ceremonial ribbon cutting was held. Then attendees streamed by the new benches donated by the Friends of the Library, and into the air-conditioned library for self-guided tours. There they enjoyed some light refreshments and live music performed by students from Mullins Music School.

Not to skip a beat, it was on to business as usual as patrons partook of the usual library services, and youth librarian Jessica Meredith rounded up the kids for Friday morning storytime.