St. Petersburg College West St. Petersburg Community Library / New multi-story library on college campus / 50,000 GSF
The new multi-story West St. Petersburg Community Library on St. Petersburg College’s Gibbs campus is a partnership between St. Petersburg College and the City of St. Petersburg that provides users with a great range of library materials and services in one location. The library enhances the use of public funds by sharing operating and staffing costs and access to electronic resources.
The 50,000 SF library offers an 8,000 SF themed youth area, and hosts 120,000 volumes with a capacity of 150,000 that far exceeds either library’s individual effort. Ninety public computer stations with high-speed Internet access foster a bridge into research and learning for both student and public patrons. Wireless access throughout, the library offers collaborative study and both large and small scale meeting rooms. It also houses special collections, Microform Collection from Wendell Ware, a Russian language collection and the St. Petersburg College Archives. The retail bookstore operated by the Friends of the Library store sells used books, magazines, and other merchandise. All of the proceeds benefit the library. The library also has a cafe that offers hot and cold foods and beverages in a casual environment.
Featuring two entrances: one for SPC students accessible from the interior campus; and another for area residents, the library also offers a separate community parking lot accessible from the street without having to enter the campus. All patrons enjoy the wide open feel of natural light facilitated by a skylight and large windows which open the entire building to the beautiful landscape, including a great view of Eagle Lake. The in house cafe welcomes patrons to a wide open dining space and an extensive outdoor seating area.
