Sarasota Library System Named Best In Florida

The Sarasota County Library System has been named the “2012 Library of the Year” by the Florida Library Association. 

The nine Sarasota County Libraries are located throughout the county and serve more than 2.5 million customers each year. 

“This award is truly a recognition of the library staff, volunteers and community partners who, day after day, dedicate themselves to delivering extraordinary customer service,” said Sarabeth Kalajian, General Manager, Sarasota County Library System.  

“With more than 520 public libraries in the state, one of the greatest accolades you can receive is recognition from your peers,” Kalajian said. “To be singled out as the 2012 Library of the Year by the Florida Library Association is really special.”

The Florida Library Association recognized the Sarasota County Library System for “community building” through partnerships and collaboration. Several milestones have been achieved in the last several months:

• Introduction of eBooks and eAudiobooks to the library collection.
• Opening the county’s first “connections” library, the Osprey Public Library at Historic Spanish Point.
• Renovation of the largest library in the system.
• Construction of the first Teen Center, a facility designed by and specifically for teens.
• Establishment of the Library Foundation of Sarasota County. 

“I am so proud of the people I work with,” Kalajian said. “Despite budget reductions, reduced staff and changing needs of customers, our library staff members have done a fantastic job building one of the best library systems in the state.”

The award will be presented at the Florida Library Association 2012 Annual Conference, April 18-20, in Orlando.