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Eastlake Community Library thanks county for insurance coverage, seeks $500,000 construction grant
Summary
Eastlake Community Library officials thanked the county for taking over property insurance for four Palm Harbor Community Services Agency entities—saving the library about $20,000 annually—and said they will apply for a $500,000 state public library construction grant to expand the facility.
Representatives of the Eastlake Community Library addressed the county commission Sept. 18 to thank the board for a county decision to provide property insurance for four Palm Harbor Community Services Agency facilities and to announce a pending state construction grant application.
What the speakers said: Lois E. Nell, director of Eastlake Community Library, told the board that the county’s decision to assume property insurance for the four entities—county‑owned buildings on county property but operated by the Palm Harbor Community Services Agency—will save the library “close to $20,000 a year.” Nell said the savings allowed the library to invest in electronic resources and merit pay for staff. Ann Marie Nurnberger, assistant director, said the library is applying for a state public library construction grant of $500,000 in a short window and asked commissioners for support when a grant item appears on a future docket.
County assistance and next steps: Staff identified Chris Rose, BJ Gavin and OMD staff as working with the library on the fast‑tracked application; county staff said a proclamation and future agenda item will seek formal board support for the grant request and that construction is expected to begin in October if funding is secured.
Why it matters: The county’s assumption of property insurance for small, county‑owned library properties shifts operating dollars away from insuring county buildings and into library services, county staff said. If the state construction grant is awarded, the library expects to expand services in North Pinellas.
Votes and actions: No formal board action was required at the hearing; library representatives will return to the board with a grant request and proclamation on a future agenda.
