Birthday for Anastasia Island Branch Library

Library Director Debra Rhodes Gibson and Anastasia Island Branch Library Branch Manager Susan Flynn have informed Historic City News that they are celebrating one year of service this month.

The public is invited to a Birthday Celebration on Saturday, August 23, at 10:30 am. The Birthday Celebration will include brief remarks by Library Director Debra Rhodes Gibson, as well as a slide show highlighting activities of the past year. The Friends of the Anastasia Island Branch Library will serve birthday cake, coffee and punch.

Additionally, two new original mosaic works by local artist Manila Clough will be presented to the Anastasia Island Branch Library during the Birthday Celebration. The two works are Beach Birds, a scene of gulls running along St. Augustine Beach, which will be donated by Clough herself, and Pelican, a smaller work which was commissioned to be donated to the library by Nancy Lambert, a friend of the artist and member of the Friends of the Library.

During its initial year of service to the Anastasia Island community, the Library has successfully served over 130,000 patrons, with more than 150,000 items being checked out. Following the Grand Opening on August 11, 2007, daily circulation totaled around 400 per day but has doubled over time to an average of approximately 800 items daily. Additionally, the Library offers regular programs and events for children, teens and adults, as well meeting rooms and space for use by the community.

Branch Manager Susan Flynn believes the past twelve months have been a huge success. “Our first year has been incredibly rewarding as residents have welcomed us, and the Library has become a focal point in the Anastasia Island community,” she said. “We invite all local residents to visit our beautiful facility, sign up for a free library card and take full advantage of all we can offer them.”

For more information about the Birthday Celebration or Library programs and services, call the Anastasia Island Branch Library at 209-3730.