Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

St. Pete’s Obama Main Library receives honor for renovation

tampabay.com · 1hShare

St. Petersburg’s President Barack Obama Main Library didn’t always appear the way it does now. In 2021, the library closed for renovations and faced many hurdles: the coronavirus pandemic, rising construction costs, asbestos abatement and a change in city leadership. The 40,000-square-foot library was built in 1963, and when it reopened last year, it looked completely different. Guests can find a children’s space and a teen room, along with a computer lab and study rooms. They can also stop by the café and bookstore with a curated selection of donated books and library merchandise. The upgrades to the President Barack Obama Main Library didn’t go unnoticed. The library is one of 15 projects selected for the 2026 Library Design Showcase by American Libraries, the flagship magazine of the American Library Association. The annual list recognizes standout new, renovated and restored libraries that respond to the evolving needs of their communities. The American Library Association noted th

First report: PHOTOS: Portland-area library renovation named among best in the US — koin.com, 2d