Photo by Danny Hussey
If you haven’t checked out the Sanibel Public Library during a past visit to the island, you’ve missed out on a treat!
Not only is it gorgeous, but as recent rankings attest, it’s rated “tops” in the entire state of Florida for a number of areas.
The Sanibel Library ranked number one per capita (per 1,000) for: circulation (number of books or items borrowed), availability of print, audio, video and other materials to check out, website visits per capita, and square footage availability. The 2021 ratings evaluated 82 libraries and library systems. The Sanibel Library has been at or near the top ranking for about 15 years.
In addition to the state rankings, the library has won annual Star Library awards (top 200 public libraries of 9,000 measured nationally) from the Library Journal in five of the last 10 years. It has been No. 1 on TripAdvisor for “Things to Do on Sanibel” and has earned TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence awards.
So grab a book and while away the day in a rocking chair overlooking the water on their new Expanded Reading Porch, and you’ll soon find out why the accolades are mounting!
thanks for posting about the Sanibel Public Library!!!
ICYMI: Library cards are available to all residents of Sanibel and Lee County, Florida, at no charge. You must present your valid FL driver’s license (or similar government ID) showing your current Lee County address. Visitor cards are available for a $10 – good for one year. Use your library card to check out books, cooking kits, museum passes, birdwatching kits (with binoculars!) movies, music, and more.
Thank you for the nice comments! Reminder — Visitor Cards may be used to check out up to 30 items — books, audiobooks, movies, music, magazines, birdwatching kits, cooking kits, mobile wifi hotspots and more! Cards just $10 and valid for one year. When you are not on Sanibel you can use the eShelf for downloading and streaming. Come in with your photo ID and preferred phone number and staff will set you up with a new card in just a minute or two! Use of computer labs – no card needed – print your boarding pass, book a study room, borrow a laptop for in-Library use, and more. Fantastic TeenSpace and Children’s Room, too. Thanks again.