St. Pete Library To Be Renamed After President Barack Obama

ST. PETERSBURG, FL —The St. Petersburg Main Library will be renamed the President Barack Obama Main Library in honor of America's first Black president.

The city of St. Petersburg will hold its dedication ceremony to former President Barack Obama in honor of Black History Month on Friday. It will be streamed live on the city's Facebook page, and a limited number of attendees will be allowed in-person.

"I am incredibly excited for this dedication," Mayor Rick Kriseman said. "As I said three years ago when we announced the changes we will see here and the new name for St. Petersburg's main library, highlighting Barack Obama's extraordinary story and history-making presidency in this way will inspire generations of young people. I believe the President Barack Obama Main Library will not only complement city buildings bearing the name of local trailblazers but will serve as an example to other cities. Our main library has always been an exciting hub for learning in our city. It is made all the better by honoring President Obama."

The dedication and installation of a new sign will kick off renovations at the library. The 55-year-old facility will undergo a $6 million renovation, funded by Penny for Pinellas sales tax revenue. The renovations will include an upgraded rear patio and outdoor gathering space, reconfiguration of interior spaces with new programming areas, additional parking spaces, ADA-compliant restrooms, HVAC improvements, asbestos abatement and fire protection.

The Main Library will be temporarily closed for the renovations starting Thursday, April 1. Library patrons will be able to return items checked out from the Main Library at other St. Petersburg Library System locations and essential services will continue to be provided by the open libraries in accordance with existing health and safety measures. Library patrons will be encouraged to visit the other St. Petersburg Library System locations:

Childs Park Community Library: 691 43rd St. S.

James W. Johnson Community Library: 1059 18th Ave. S.

Mirror Lake Community Library: 280 5th St. N.

North Community Library: 861 70th Ave. N.

South Community Library: 2300 Roy Hanna Dr. S.

West Community Library: 6700 8th Ave. N.

The renovations are expected to be completed by late 2022/early 2023.

For updates, visit splibraries.org.

The dedication ceremony for Friday starts at 11 a.m. Anyone attending must wear masks, and keep 6 feet of social distancing from others.