Hillsborough County's largest library branch is getting a renovated children's area, additional study rooms and new furnishings as part of an interior overhaul expected to continue through summer 2027.

The SouthShore Regional Library at 15816 Beth Shields Way in Ruskin began renovations June 1, according to the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative. The 40,000-square-foot facility is the largest of the county's 25 library branches.

The project aims to modernize the building and expand spaces for learning, research and community activities. The library remains open during construction, although several services and programs are temporarily unavailable.

Renovation adds children's library and study rooms

The project includes a separate, enclosed children's library with an Early Learning Hive designed for hands-on activities and tactile play.

Other improvements include additional study rooms, meeting spaces of varying sizes, updated individual restrooms, new furniture and flooring throughout the building.

The library also plans to install lower shelving to increase natural light and improve visibility across the interior.

The building opened in October 2006 and serves the growing South Shore community with books, digital resources, public computers and educational programs.

Children's room reopens as other services remain limited

The renovation has entered its second phase, with the children's room already reopened in its newly enclosed space.

Curbside pickup of reserved materials became available Sept. 22. A selection of adult books has been relocated to the community room, where seating is limited.

Residents can continue using the computer lab for internet access, printing, copying, faxing and scanning, although seating is also limited there.

The Friends of the Library bookstore is expected to reopen and resume accepting donations, but the library has not announced a date.

Several services remain unavailable during this phase, including genealogy research materials and computers, meeting spaces, the recording studio and vending machines.

All library programs, events and classes, including early literacy sessions, are also suspended during the renovation.

The library cooperative encourages residents seeking those programs to visit the Ruskin Branch Library or Riverview Public Library.

Renovation expected to finish in summer 2027

The construction project has also affected election operations. SouthShore Regional Library did not serve as an early voting location for the Aug. 18 primary, according to The SouthShore Circle. Voters instead used the SouthShore Community Resource Center or SouthShore Regional Service Center in Ruskin.

The library expects renovations to be completed in summer 2027, although individual reopening dates for affected services have not been announced.

Residents can call 813-273-3652 for information about available services or visit the library's renovation page for updates.