Punta Gorda library space dedicated to Mary Knowlton

In a few days, a brand-new library will be open to serve an entire community, and it will also have a room that serves as a living legacy for a librarian whose life was taken from her too soon. We spoke to those who say this serves as the ultimate testament to the late librarian.

Punta Gorda Charlotte Library is set to open Monday. And it will be home to the “Mary Knowlton Teen Area” in honor of retired librarian Mary Knowlton, who was shot and killed during a police demonstration in 2016.

“It’s wonderful they’re going to honor my mother,” said Steve Knowlton, Mary’s son.

Steve’s mother died in a training demonstration that required her to be shot with blanks, but the chamber of the handgun was loaded with live bullets, and she was fatally injured.

“She was an integral part in helping getting it all set up,” Steve said. “And she was very enthusiastic about Punta Gorda having a really respectable library.”

The new space will be a dedication to Mary, where teenagers will be able to spend time, memorializing her love of books. It’s something librarian Terri Crawford supports.

“She wanted the young people of the community to have a place that they felt was theirs,” Crawford said. “And that’s really what we wanted to honor her for.”

Steve said his mother was known for helping young people and he’s happy to see her name and images etched there forever.

“She was very inspiring,” Steve said. “And especially to our family, she was very supportive and always helped kids and inspired them to read and use their imagination and dream big dreams, and also she helps kids later in life.”

Mary’s accused shooter, former Punta Gorda officer Lee Coel, is scheduled to go on trial in late October for shooting and Killing Mary Knowlton.

Meanwhile, Mary’s legacy will live on and help to create a space for others when the library is officially open.

“It was to bring that feeling of, ‘We hear you; you’re important to us, and we want you to be here with us,” Crawford said.

MORE: Former officer Lee Coel’s trial moved from Charlotte to Lee County