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Libraries serve as centers of community knowledge and engagement, and the Lee County Library in Ft. Myers, Fla., wanted “the spirit of the library” reflected in decorative banners in the entry to its new facility. Sunmaster of Naples Inc., a Florida business fabricating custom awnings, storm protection and retractable screens, implemented a collaborative project with engineer Gary Foreman and library designer Adecia Adams to welcome patrons with 15 decorative banners. The semi-transparent banners feature silhouettes showing library users of all ages, abilities and media preferences sharing a passion for learning.
Sunmaster screened a variety of fabric options for porousness, printability and roll width, settling on Textilene® Solar 80 white (from Twitchell Corp.) as an aesthetic and practical choice. Each banner measured approximately 14½ feet tall and 6½ feet wide, with a top edge cantilevered to conform to the roof’s support beams. Sunmaster printed the fabric with perfectly aligned mirrored images on either side.
To keep the banners from sliding down the angled upper support beams, polyester tubing was installed at the top edge and secured to the frame. Stainless steel thread rods and turnbuckles attached the banners to custom upper and side mounts to complete the installation. The banners’ friendly imagery adds warmth to the Lee County Library’s modern glass and brick façade—and projects a spirit of optimistic welcome.
