provided to The Santiva Chronicle
The Sanibel Public Library Board of Commissioners and Interim Director Duane Shaffer congratulated Betty Anholt on 25 years of dedication to maintaining and enhancing the library’s cataloging, archives, and more at the July 2024 Board meeting. Anholt was presented with a custom glass vase, made by local artist Luc Century in recognition of her contributions and accomplishments throughout the years at the Sanibel Public Library.
Anholt, who is known as the unofficial island historian, moved to Sanibel in 1969 from New Jersey. She and her late husband Jim Anholt ran the Sanibel Transit trolley service for many years before Anholt joined Sanibel Public Library in July of 1999. She has combined her love for the Sanibel and Captiva islands with archaeology, conservation, and preservation. Her dedication to the history of Sanibel and Captiva islands has previously been recognized when, in 2020, she was honored with the creation of the Betty Anholt Guardian of History Award by the Captiva Historical Society and, in 2024, she was awarded the Certificate of Achievement by the Florida Anthropological Society acknowledging her contribution to the preservation of Florida’s Archaeological and Anthropological heritage. Anholt has written seven books on Sanibel’s history, including Protecting Sanibel and Captive Islands: The Conservation Story and Sanibel’s Story: Voices and Images from Calusa to Incorporation.