FLAGLER COUNTY, FLA. – Jim Ulsamer, Library Board of Trustees chairman for 17 of his 18 years of service, shared the proud moment with quiet dignity, allowing Holly Albanese the opportunity to soak in the reality of a dream come true as she cut the gold ribbon alongside members of the Flagler County Board of Commissioner on Thursday, to welcome guests to the new Flagler County Nexus Center.
“It is incredible. I have no words, it is just the culmination of a long decade and I’m just elated and exhausted,” said Albanese with a smile.
What took a decade to bring to fruition started 19 years ago when Albanese took charge of the Flagler County Public Library system, as it was, and began to build.
Frugal to a fault and determined to bring the library system into the 21st century, she looked for innovative ways to raise money for the library including the adoption of the passport service, which would go on to generate $1.1 million for the Nexus Center project.
A combination of grant opportunities and funding sources complemented the $9.1 million earmarked by the county for the ‘joint facility’. Albanese secured $500,000 through a Public Library State Construction Grant, and $4 million from a Multipurpose Community Facilities Program grant for the 23,000 square foot multi-purpose facility, in addition to $800,000 from the Florida Division of Emergency Management Disaster Recovery Program, and $750,000 from Library Impact Fees.
Working closely with a talented staff, board of directors, and a dedicated Friends of the Library group, Albanese never gave up hope even when the hurdles seemed insurmountable.
Her speech at the groundbreaking for the Nexus Center on August 12, 2024, which will house both the Bunnell Public Library and the Flagler County Health and Human Services Department’s Senior Services, Housing Services, Human Services, and the Congregate Meals site, was a revealing look at the heart and soul poured into bringing the project to fruition.
“I applied for the Public Library Construction Grant but who knew that the grant while we ranked number one in the state of Florida seven years in a row would go unfunded by the legislature for most of those years, and vetoed by the Governor at least once, I would like to say third time’s the charm, but I can’t for us 7 time’s the charm. Again, we didn’t give up we persevered,” she said at the groundbreaking.
On Thursday, it was more than book lovers uniting to welcome the new addition to the Flagler County Public Library system. It was curious residents, well-wishers, and even people who hadn’t set foot in a library in quite some time, all enjoying the celebration hosted courtesy of the Friends of the Library.
Among the newbies to the library, teens Flee Fleenor and MJ Moros came to snap a photo with Sonic the Hedgehog. Welcoming youth of all ages to the teen area of the new library, the popular mascot was part of the youth activities planned during the grand opening celebration.
The pair were enthusiastic about the new location.
“It’s so cute. I’ve never seen a library this big, either,” said Moros. “I haven’t been to many libraries but this is really cute. I love it.”
“I’m here for the books, she’s here for Sonic,” added Fleenor. “I used to go the one on Palm Coast Parkway but I live in the S section so it’s kind of far to drive. I don’t get to go very often, so it’s nice to have one that’s a little bit closer to me,” she said.
Taking in the Coast to Country theme, for Ulsamer, whose nearly two decades of service were reflected in the afternoon’s success, the credit due was to Albanese.
“I served on the board of trustees for 18 years and I was the chair for 17 of those 18 years. We started work on this about 10 years ago. It’s a big deal. We’re now have a library system. We’re reaching out and bringing the library services to the people in the county,” said Ulsamer. “You know, we’ve still got the library up in Palm Coast. This is great.”
“My business life put me in touch with libraries for more than 30 years. I’ve been in thousands of libraries and worked with hundreds of librarians very closely with business transactions, and she is a good one,” he declared.
“We have a really good one in her. She worked tirelessly to get this done. It wasn’t easy. Public safety always seems to come first but this is quality of life. If you’re talking about economic development, attracting businesses and people, you’ve got to have an infrastructure and this is a big piece of it.”
He hopes the new facility will provide additional access and create lifelong users of the library system.
“Pride, additional access and usage of the facilities. This area is challenged. No question about it and I think if you bring a young person into a library and get them started on reading, there’s no telling where they’re going to go.” gues
Albanese and staff were still beaming halfway through the celebration as they personally welcomed guests.
“I’m thrilled with everything that we have here with the food, the activities, I want people to come and enjoy and see what these spaces are really meant for,” said Albanese.
The Nexus Center is located at 2199 Commerce Parkway in Bunnell, Florida, across from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Operations Center.
