Winter Park's New Library a Boon to Community

Winter Park's new library will open Saturday, December 11th and officially open doors on December 13th.

The 36,000-square-foot facility replaces the current library on New England Avenue, and sits on the site of the old civics center on Morse Boulevard. The library space is expanded by 12,000 square feet, with more room for research and archives, study rooms, meeting space and a larger youth collection. A new automated materials handler and digital checkout system is meant to make returns and re-shelving faster.

The facility also has a new computer lab with double the number of computers, 3D printers and a studio for audio and video recording.

The vision or need for the library was not originally not shared by all residents. But even many locals who initially greeted the idea of a new library with skepticism agree about the structure's imminence and significance in the community.

"Originally, the slogan touted by supporters of the new library was 'save our library.' A lot of us liked the old library and didn't think there needed to be a change. I disagreed with the decision at the time but it was executed dramatically and beautifully," long-time resident Brian Thomas told the Local News. "The new building is a testament to technology allowing customized details that previously would have been prohibited. It's a quality job from non-standard components."

Above: The new library's external facade. Photo Credit: Winter Park Library.

“The old space was great, but it was somewhat confined, and so with this the amount of usable space and the flexibility of the space (it) is great,” Winter Park City Manager Randy Knight said.

The events center side of the facility features a grand ballroom, indoor and outdoor amphitheaters, rooftop event space and covered outdoor spaces.

The library is located at 460 E New England Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789.

For more information, visit Winter Park Public Library | (winterparklibrary.org).