The Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Public Library is closed until further notice due to a maintenance issue caused by the building catching on fire July 1.
The fire was appeared to be started during a point when severe weather came through the area, but it is unclear how the weather system led to the building eventually catching on fire.
St. Johns County fire and rescue crews were able to extinguish the fire once arriving on scene, and no injuries were reported. An investigation into the incident is underway.
However, the damage occurred has forced the library to be closed until further notice as the situation gets worked out. The library is expected to be closed until at least July 18.
According to the St. Johns County Public Library System, all items currently checked out will not be due or accrue fines during the closure period and all holds will be delayed.
All scheduled events and meetings are also cancelled or will need to find a new location in the meantime as a result.
The entire facility is closed to the public, including the book drop.
Unfortunately, for children and parents, the closure comes during the summertime when so many activities were planned for the coming weeks.
There are five other libraries within the county system. They include the Southeast Branch (6620 U.S. 1 S. in St. Augustine), main branch (1960 North Ponce De Leon Blvd. in St. Augustine), Bartram Trail Branch (60 Davis Pond Blvd. in Fruit Cove), Anastasia Island Branch (124 Seagrove Main Street in St. Augustine Beach) and Hasting Branch (6195 S. Main Street in Hastings).
The bookmobile also makes stops throughout the county. A list of those upcoming stops and hours of each branch can be found by going to sjcpls.org.
