Monroe County Public Library Grand Opening- unveils beachy “Redbox-style media box for DVD selection” in new leading-edge Marathon Branch Library- First of its kind in South Florida

News-Release from Marathon Library-Monroe County, FL

The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners and the Monroe County School District celebrated the new state-of-the-art Monroe County Library System Marathon Branch and Adult Education Center on Saturday with a ribbon-cutting, family activities, and library tours. Monroe County Mayor Michelle Coldiron and Mayor Pro Tem David Rice attended the ceremony with Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi, County staff, and Monroe County School Board members. After the ribbon-cutting, the public explored the new space, including the holds locker available for after-hours access to items requested, tablets and laptops available to borrow while in the library, a self-checkout system, small group study/meeting rooms, and a large community room. The new library also has a Redbox-style media box for DVD selection and an upstairs light and airy children’s area. The upstairs also has a teen room for gaming, study room, homework center, and activity center with a 3-D printer, Cricut, sewing machines, watercolor painting, and more. Also notable are the solar panels outfitted at the location. Before opening, the library ran “off-grid” for a day. The panels will continue to supplement the electrical grid at the location now that it is fully open. The library is also a little more colorful with the recent installation of eye-catching sculptures. The commissioned art installations are part of the County’s prestigious 1% Art in Public Places program. To learn more about Countywide public art installations, visit www.keysarts.com/publicart. The Adult Education Center is slated to open in August with GED preparation classes, English classes, and other programs for adults.The library will be offering interactive programs like storytime, art classes, and yoga for children, teens, and adults. Marathon branch library services are available Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The new branch is located at 3490 Overseas Highway, Marathon. To learn more about Countywide library services, visit www.keyslibraries.org. PICTURED: Monroe County Mayor Michelle Coldiron and Monroe County School Board Chair John Dick cut the ribbon at the Marathon library branch grand opening. They are joined by Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi, Monroe County Project Management Director Cary Knight, Monroe County Library Director Kimberly Matthews, Mayor Pro Tem David Rice, and School Board members Mindy Conn and Sue Woltanski. The upstairs area is set aside for children and teenagers and has computers, movable spaces, homework areas, a teen center for gaming, and more. The Arts Council 1% Art in Public Places artwork is sure to inspire and delight. “Keys Whimsy” by local artists Shawn Trentlage and Darcy Ferrill welcomes those entering the library. Monroe County Mayor Michelle Coldiron places a painted rock commemorating the day in a time capsule to be opened in 25 years. She shows the rock to Tiffany and Joe Moore. Mark Belile, 4, woke mom, Charlene, up at 6:45 a.m. because he didn’t want to miss the grand opening. He was beyond excited to check out his new favorite place and received a library card. With simply a library card, check out a tablet or laptop to use in the library for up to two hours in one of the comfy new chairs found throughout the library.+3

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