By early next
summer, one of the
county’s busiest libraries will be
twice its current size. If that’s
not enough for library patrons,
the Deltona Regional Library also
will be the site of the Lyonia
Environmental Center and an
outdoor amphitheater. The Volusia
County Council hailed the official start of the
library expansion project with a well-attended
groundbreaking ceremony July 10. County Council
members were joined by Deltona city officials,
School Board members, library board members,
patrons and residents.
“We are thrilled to see all the anticipation and
planning move from the drawing board to the site,”
said Pat Northey, the district representative on the
County Council. “This is a partnership in every
sense of the word, and it is gratifying to see what
we can accomplish when organizations share a
commitment to a common goal.”
The project is a collaboration of Volusia County
Government, the City of Deltona and the Volusia County
School Board. When complete, the Deltona
Regional Library will have doubled in size to
50,000 square feet.
Part of the project includes the Lyonia Environmental Center
and a 1,000-seat amphitheater within
the beautiful natural surroundings of Lyonia Preserve.
The amphitheater is being constructed
next to the library and will serve as a venue for
community gatherings and educational instruction.
The 4,000-square-foot Lyonia Environmental
Center will encourage discovery and exploration
of Volusia County’s ecosystems and will encourage
conservation efforts. The center also will have two
classrooms, exhibition space, a workroom for
guest scientists and researchers, a coffee and gift
shop. Completion is
scheduled for July 2009.
Most of the funding
for the estimated
$11.7 million project
comes from the county’s
library fund. The
project got a boost
from a $500,000 state
library construction
grant.
Project funding also
includes two $500,000
grants from Volusia
County’s ECHO program for
the amphitheater
and the Lyonia
Environmental Center. The City of Deltona has
contributed $2million toward the project and will
pay $250,000 in maintenance and operational
expenses annually for 10 years. The School Board
will assist with educational programming.
The Deltona Regional Library is among the
county’s busiest libraries, logging nearly two million
transactions annually. The library expansion
will include a larger computer area, auditorium and
children’s sections, and a new teen area.
A two-room meeting suite is being added and
designed so community groups will be able to
meet after-hours. Deltona Regional Library is
near Galaxy Middle School and convenient for
teens who enjoy visiting the library. The library is
also within walking distance of Timbercrest Elementary
School.
It is noteworthy that the complex will be a candidate
for the coveted LEED (Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design) certification from
the United States Green Building Council. The certification
recognizes
buildings that are environmentally
responsible
and healthy, safe
places in which to
work. Additionally, the
landscaping will incorporate
Florida native
plants that thrive in
local conditions and
require less maintenance
and no irrigation
once established.
Volusia County
Library Services maintains
an outstanding
system of 16 public
libraries. It offers a free library card to all Volusia
County residents, which is valid at all branches of
the public library. Its mission is to provide citizens
and visitors with exceptional library services that
facilitate personal growth, economic development,
and quality of life in a manner that strengthens
community pride while fostering a countywide
identity and partnerships. The expansion of
Deltona Library and the addition of its new
amphitheater demonstrates that the mission is
being accomplished.
