Ann Scott Visits Safety Harbor Public Library

Ann Scott, the wife of Florida Gov. Rick Scott, made a surprise appearance in Safety Harbor on Monday afternoon. 

The First Lady of Florida appeared at the Safety Harbor Public Library on behalf of her husband declaring April as National Library Month in the state, and also to learn more about the facility’s heralded Deaf Literacy Center. 

Rosa Rodriguez, the center’s coordinator, said it was Mrs. Scott’s idea for the visit due to her interest in learning more about the programs and services the center provides to hundreds of hearing impaired citizens in Pinellas County.

“We didn’t reach out, just out the blue they called and said they would like to come because there was a special interest in the deaf services program,” Rodriguez said.  “That was really neat.”

Rodriguez said Mrs. Scott’s interest in the program, which has been in existence for 15 years and provides sign language lessons, materials and other services both in- home and at the library, stems from her personal experiences with the deaf. 

“She said she had a friend who had deaf parents and another friend who was deaf, as well as a deaf aunt,” she said. “So it’s very personal for her.”

“In fact she said her grandbaby is learning sign language now.”

During her visit, Scott spoke at length with Rodriguez in the deaf services room before heading to the meeting room, where she read not one or two but three books to the children and even donned puppets and played with them, much to the kids’ delight. 

The impact of the first lady's visit was not lost on Tarpon Springs resident David Mbiad, whose 5-year-old daughter, Avery, was in the crowd. 

“This program has been wonderful for my whole family, it’s been a difference maker in our lives,” he said. 

“I think it’s awesome for (Scott) to come here and see all the hard work Rosa has put into the program. The word needs to get out, and I hope she helps with that.”

Pinellas Public Library Cooperative Executive Director Mary Brown said she believes Scott’s visit will do just that. 

“It’s really important for the local community as well as the program to have the first lady visit here today,” she said.

“We mentioned to her that this program is primarily state funded, and she expressed how welcoming it is to see a program of this nature, so we’ll see what happens from here.”

Related:

• Deaf Literacy Services Drawing Hundreds to Safety Harbor

Note: SHPL officials wanted to clarify that Mrs. Scott's visit was the result of a lot of hard work over a period of two years by library officials and the first lady's office. Mrs. Scott had originally planned to visit a year ago to tour the entire facility, but she had to cancel. Due to the diligence displayed by officials on both sides, her appearance was finally able to happen on Monday. We apologize for any misconceptions the article might have presented regarding Mrs. Scott's visit.

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