HOLMES BEACH – Heads are turning as people drive past the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, after the recent addition of a colorful mural that stretches the length of the west side of the library. The mural depicts an undersea reading adventure where a diver enjoys a book with a curious octopus, fish and even a manatee eager to learn.
The mural was painted by Matt McAllister at Matt McAllister Art, and funding for the project came from the Friends of the Island Library, who held a highly successful jewelry sale in March of this year that raised enough funds to get the work done.
“The Friends and library staff, especially Aileen Valdez, library supervisor, worked with Matt to develop a design that would highlight a young reader surrounded by books and sea life, including a manatee, the logo for Manatee County Public Library System,” Jan Riggs, president of the Friends of the Island Library, said in an email to the Sun. “Once designed, the mural was approved by both library administrators and Manatee County commissioners.”
Riggs added that the mural will serve in another way by bringing local corporations, businesses and residents together to develop a focused fund for the Island library and staff. Details about this endeavor will be released in the fall.
