City: Barack Obama Library will re-open this summer

After five years locked up tight and off-limits to the public, St. Petersburg’s Main Library will be back in business this summer.

The 44,000-square-foot library was re-named for former President Barack Obama in 2021.

Designed by legendary St. Pete architect William Harvard, the library opened in 1964 and remained virtually unchanged for 56 years.

Its re-launch was delayed by numerous factors, including the pandemic, escalating construction and materials costs (requiring additional funds), and by the discovery – and subsequent removal – of asbestos in the vintage walls and ceiling.

“We are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” said City Architect Raul Quintana, adding that major construction work should be completed by the end of May. Then the furniture, the bookshelves, the technology (up to date for 2025) and finally the books themselves are brought in. “That could take a couple of months.”

The facility’s extensive collection of books and research materials was temporarily re-assigned to other branches in the local library system.

Landscaping the front, and the back (overlooking Lake Jorgensen) will be done last.

The total cost is approximately $16 million, raised through city bonds, energy investment and capital improvement funding, and Penny for Pinellas dollars.

“To do it right, we had to basically gut it and take all of the asbestos out,” said Quintana. “And that took a good chunk of time. And we were able to finalize the design, with all the needs and requirements of the library staff, and the community.

“Once we got the funding, and we awarded the construction contract, there haven’t been any delays in construction. It’s just taken a lot of time. We had four walls and a structure above our head, and from there they started putting all the systems in.

“Working within the confines of an existing building, that had its complexities.”

The City has contracted with Memphis-area sculptor Ben Butler to create a large piece for the “new” library’s lobby wall, The artist describes it as “a low-relief image created with layered wood and aluminum.”

Another sculpture by a different artist, for outside the library, is also being proposed.

Work by artist Ben Butler at PDX Airport, Portland, Oregon. Photo: benbutlerart.com.