Check Out The New Clearwater East Community Library

CLEARWATER, Fla. – While senior citizens scanned the shelves for books they've yet to read, youngsters checked out the play area and kid-friendly computers at the new Clearwater East Community Library at St. Petersburg College.

The community celebrated the opening of the new library Saturday, April 21, with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, cake and an honor guard.

On hand for the celebration were Mayor George N. Cretekos, members of the Clearwater City Council, City Manager Bill Horne, St. Petersburg College -

Clearwater Provost Dr. Stan Vittetoe and Clearwater Public Library System Director Jennifer Obermaier.

The new library is a partnership the city and St. Petersburg College. Located on the college’s Clearwater campus at 2465 Drew St., the 40,000-square-foot library includes 10,000 square feet of dedicated public space, 15,000 square feet of dedicated college space and 15,000 square feet of

shared space.

Highlights of the new building are more than 90,000 electronic and print books and audio-visual materials; more than 100 print journals and magazines of general and academic

interest; streaming videos, audiobooks, images, citation tools and music; thousands of online research databases; group and individual meeting areas; computers, scanners, printers, photocopiers and wifi; a dedicated program room and a children's section; and a drive-through for item return and pickup.

The $15 million project was cooperatively funded by St. Petersburg College and the city of Clearwater.

Images via city of Clearwater