New library opens in Panama City
PANAMA CITY - The building is ready, and the books are shelved.
Friday morning, the Bay County Public Library will open its doors to the public.
"We're really excited to be able to offer the people of Bay County a modern facility that will suit our needs as the community grows," said county spokeswoman Valerie Lovett.
After more than a year of work, the $10 million project is complete. The 55,000-square-foot building on 11th Street boasts multiple reading areas, a youth room, as well an area for younger children. The new library also houses a 100-person meeting room, an area dedicated to local history, wireless Internet capability and ample behind-the-scenes storage.
When people enter the facility, they will encounter a building that could swallow the former library several times over. The floor plan is open and airy; the ceilings stretch skyward. There is plenty of room for burying oneself in a good book, exploring family genealogy or simply relaxing.
"The library offers so much more than just books," Lovett said. "This library is going to fulfill a whole host of needs. Hopefully, it will become a gathering place for people in the county."
The Bay County Library is the headquarters library for the Northwest Regional Library System, which serves Bay, Gulf and Liberty counties. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 9 a.m.
Regular library hours are Mondays through Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursdays through Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5p.m. and Sundays 1 to 5 p.m.