The city of Maitland, Florida, will replace its current library with an $18.7 million facility that will provide more space, larger outdoor areas and improved amenities. Voters recently approved $14 million to support the project. The city will contribute an additional $4.7 million from existing funds to fully finance the project. Construction is expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026.
The city will build a two-story, 20,000-square-foot replacement library at Quinn Strong Park and repurpose the existing library for other public uses. The building provides an additional 7,700 square feet of space for meeting and activity rooms, collection spaces and reading areas.
Plans include outdoor patios, staff offices and landscaped grounds providing access to the rest of Quinn Strong Park. The library will have two entry vestibules and include programming space for children, teens and adults. The building will also feature a public computer room, elevators, classrooms, study rooms, maker spaces, storage areas, a kitchen, a pantry and a bookstore.
The design features expansive greenspace, including a multi-purpose lawn, outdoor gathering area and lawn terraces. The library offers a dedicated performance space, Mayan Calendar-inspired sensory garden, shade structures and water features. Plans include building a stormwater pond with an accompanying deck.
The city will build a parking lot with 82 spaces, designated delivery areas, an event pad and a dumpster enclosure. The library will also feature seating areas with coffee tables, sculptures throughout the park and a screening wall.
Maitland is located 11 miles north of Orlando.