Library expansion on hold no longer

The addition, seen here in architectural drawings, will occupy some space presently used for parking. Paul Sebastian, treasurer of the Friends of the Library, explains that parking won't be a problem though because the library building and the Historical Society building will be completed at approximately the same time and the parking in the area across the street will be shared by both. Submitted

MARCO ISLAND — On hold no longer, the Marco Island Branch Library is about to get bigger with the construction of Rose Hall.

Collier County Public Library announced the groundbreaking for the addition to the Marco Island Branch Library in a prepared release Friday, written by Camden Smith, a county spokeswoman.

Rose Hall will provide additional meeting space for the Marco Island library and surrounding community.

The Rose Hall groundbreaking is scheduled 10 a.m., April 30, at the Marco Island Branch Library, 210 South Heathwood Drive.

Once construction is complete, Rose Hall will provide an additional 4,000 square feet of meeting space and will accommodate 150 people. Direct access between the library’s children’s room and the addition will allow for the accommodation of more children’s programming.

This project to expand the building was made possible by donations from the Friends of the Library of Marco Island and by a large donation from the W.R. Rose Foundation, after which the new building has been named.

The Friends of the Library of Marco Island have been raising funds to help pay for this addition since 2003, which had included annual fundraising events such as the Smart Car Raffle.

On July 26, 2005, Collier County Commissioners approved a resolution to accept a $500,000 donation from the W.R. Rose Foundation and voted to name the project Rose Hall.

In 2006, a request for bids was put out to construction companies for the project, however the cost exceeded available funds, so the project was put on hold until bids met the budget requirements. The cost of construction will be $1.4 million. This project is paid for entirely by donations.

For more information on the county library system visit the Collier County Public Library Web site colliergov.net/library.