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New library already outgrowing facility

The Friends of the Bloomingdale Regional Library hope to provide additional money for programs.

By LETITIA STEIN
Published December 30, 2005

VALRICO - When a magician performed at the Bloomingdale Regional Library last summer, about 100 children and parents watched the trick where white doves disappeared.

Nearly 50 more wanted to attend, but were turned away.

The library simply didn't have enough room.

Bloomingdale's library opened barely a year ago, and already the community needs more: extra books and materials. More space to sit with books. Additional programs for children and adults.

"Two years from now, we will have outgrown the space," said Pat Boody, president of the Friends of the Bloomingdale Regional Library, a community organization that supports the public library. "There was a pent-up demand for library services in this area."

This summer, the group hopes to provide additional funding so the library can host multiple presentations for popular events. That would allow more children to attend.

But the region's needs continue to grow.

In its inaugural year, Bloomingdale has emerged as the county's fourth-busiest library, with people checking out more than 40,000 materials monthly.

Its opening collection totaled 55,000 books, tapes and videos. The library has added new materials over the year, but could use more.

"That's a lot of stuff going in and out," said Julie Beamguard, branch supervisor. "We opened busy, and we've stayed busy."

The libraries busier than Bloomingdale have larger facilities, she noted. Bloomingdale has no place in the building to add couches and chairs.

Early next year, the Friends group will discuss expansion plans with the county. The organization doesn't have storage space for donated books, whose sales generate a steady stream of revenue for the library.

The Bloomingdale library opened with 15,000 square feet of space, but planners anticipated future growth. There's land on the site for more building.

Especially popular at Bloomingdale library's are three meeting rooms - one large community room and two smaller study rooms. All frequently are booked.

The library's Friends are trying to find a free room to host readings by actors in honor of black and women's history months. But they're having a hard time finding a time when the rooms aren't in use.

"We can't do it this night, we can do it that night," Boody said, noting that the space crunch has a silver lining. "I don't mean to complain. It's wonderful that the library is being used. That's what it's there for."

Letitia Stein can be reached at 661-2443 or lstein@sptimes.com

[Last modified December 29, 2005, 08:39:05]