St. Petersburg’s President Barack Obama Main Library didn’t always appear the way it does now.
In 2021, the library closed for renovations and faced many hurdles: the coronavirus pandemic, rising construction costs, asbestos abatement and a change in city leadership.
The 40,000-square-foot library was built in 1963, and when it reopened last year, it looked completely different.
Guests can find a children’s space and a teen room, along with a computer lab and study rooms. They can also stop by the café and bookstore with a curated selection of donated books and library merchandise.
The upgrades to the President Barack Obama Main Library didn’t go unnoticed.
The library is one of 15 projects selected for the 2026 Library Design Showcase by American Libraries, the flagship magazine of the American Library Association.
The annual list recognizes standout new, renovated and restored libraries that respond to the evolving needs of their communities.
The American Library Association noted the St. Petersburg library “embraces the city’s waterfront identity through airy gathering spaces and artwork inspired by the ocean.”
The Leon County Public Library in Tallahassee also made the nonprofit’s list. Along with a revamped second floor, the library has a tech hub for learning, workforce development and community services.
