Tour de Library Day 4

 

6/16/23  

Total 12 of 41 Hennepin County Library sites

WALKER LIBRARY

2880 Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis , MN 55408

The customer service desk at Walker Library is a critical spot, with many walk-in library users coming from the nearby transportation hub on Hennepin Avenue.

Last year the staff began a pilot program to provide free parking for library users, improving accessibility in this busy Uptown area. When the Autism Spectrum group lost their funding to come to the library, the Walker staff stepped up and helped them get a grant to continue their regular visits. Walker Library staff member Aaron enjoys his role as a problem fixer extraordinaire.

Be sure to look up at the colorful library letters that rotate every hour. Peek up at the scattered letters on the ceiling in the children section. Pause at the George Floyd art work displayed on the walls, which are salvaged remnants of the boards used to protect the Walker Library during the 2020 riots.

WASHBURN LIBRARY

5244 Lyndale Ave. S.
Minneapolis , MN 55419

Washburn is another library with easy bike access off Minnehaha Parkway, and gets many 2-wheel library visitors like me.  The library needed to expand their bike parking to accommodate the large biking community.  Seeing the bike trailers and burleys coming and going took me back to the time we hauled our kiddo to our own local library. 

Lots of families and seniors frequent the Washburn Library.  Hilary, a staff member, stays busy with patrons of all ages asking for book recommendations after finishing one they enjoyed.  A large circular sitting area is available to contemplate your next book selection.

LINDEN HILLS LIBRARY

2900 W. 43rd St.
Minneapolis , MN 55410

The Linden Hills Library owes me a date!  I couldn't resist stopping on my bike route today, even though I knew it was temporarily closed for renovations.  I get partial credit:)   

EDINA LIBRARY

5280 Grandview Square
Edina , MN 55436

Nestled off the beaten track, but well worth the effort on bike, the Edina Library has a distinct location. They get a lot of foot traffic as the library shares the building with the Edina Senior Center. The study rooms are popular and stay busy with a variety of groups. Beautiful stained glass, sculptures and various works of art are scattered throughout the library spaces.

Library staff member Charlotte reports they have an active Edina Library Friends group who readily steps up to support their local library in many ways. The support is evident in the large beautiful reading room with a fireplace that beckons you to stay a a little longer no matter what the season.

Tour de Library Day 3

 

6/10/23  

Total 8 of 41 Hennepin County Library sites

FRANKLIN LIBRARY

1314 E. Franklin Ave.
Minneapolis , MN 55404

The Franklin Library, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was the first of the four Carnegie funded libraries built in Minneapolis.  It is a beautiful mix of classic and new architecture. 

In the heart of the Phillips neighborhood, it has a large American Indian Collection, and lots of activities for children to dig into.  

This location started the popular llama program which travels across HCL locations and brings the community to the library's doorstep.

EAST LAKE LIBRARY

2727 E. Lake St.

Minneapolis , MN 55406 

  

Taking full advantage of the Open Streets Minneapolis with a large section of Lake Street closed to traffic, I biked my way over to visit the East Lake Library and community.  

Many of the libraries we have visited so far, have resources which reflect the interests of the communities.  East Lake Library has a popular children's story time that is well attended by families, and the children's section was bustling during our visit.  

A "get to know your local representatives and council members" map was prominently displayed and caught my eye as a way to learn about the city government structure and citizenship. And bilingual staff members were standing by, ready to help people find the right books and resources.

Tour de Library Day 2

 

6/9/23  

Total 6 of 41 Hennepin County Library sites

HOPKINS LIBRARY

22 11th Ave. N.
Hopkins , MN 55343

The first thing I noticed about the Hopkins Library was the beautiful stained glass windows giving the space a warm elegance.  

I learned about Dow House, the stone mansion that housed the library starting in 1948. Imagine rooms full of books, two fireplaces and a spiral staircase, oh my!

According to staff, the library highlights accessibility and has strong ties to the many City of Hopkins events - a city library with a small town feel.  

ST. LOUIS PARK LIBRARY

3240 Library Lane

St. Louis Park, MN 55426

The St Louis Park Library moved around a bit before settling in nicely to the residential neighborhood where it currently resides.  

The well stocked and easily visible seed catalogue at the entrance of the library is a welcome sight. Kurt, a staff member, mentioned that areas of the community are designated a food desert.  

Stop in and read by the giant geranium plants that keep getting trimmed before they reach the ceiling.  Also, say hi to "Sunny" the snail who had over a hundred entries from the community to give him the perfect name.

 

Tour de Library Day 1

 

Giving myself a challenge at the start of summer, I set out to visit and to learn something about each of the 41 Hennepin County Libraries.  To make this adventure even more fun I decided to do it on a bike.  What, I wondered, was unique or valuable to know about each library location? What do staff and patrons enjoy the most about their location? 

What started as a personal journal soon became something to share with my family and friends.  In the true spirit of Friends of the Hennepin County Library,  it evolved into a way  to shine a light on our amazing, world-class Library.  I hope I can show others why they should consider visiting other Hennepin libraries outside of their home locations.      

6/2/23  

Total 4 of 41 Hennepin County Library sites

SUMNER LIBRARY

611 Van White Memorial Blvd.
Minneapolis, MN 55411 

Our very first stop of the very first day of our Hennepin County Library tour was Sumner.  As we entered we saw signs for the Sudduth Collection, and a staff member who was on a break sitting nearby overheard us and stepped right up to answer our questions.  The historic designation was one of the first four Carnegie-funded libraries built in Minneapolis in 1915.  

Thanks to Alisha, we learned about the incredible resource that is the Gary N. Sudduth African American History and Cultural Heritage Collection and the man behind the collection.  Over 5,000 items strong!  During the construction of Highway 55 the entire neighborhood was uprooted and displaced, but the building that now houses the library was actually moved a few hundred feet, and then replaced in its original spot, one of the few remaining structures to survive.

NORTH REGIONAL LIBRARY

1315 Lowry Ave N.

Minneapolis, MN 55411

    

Summer youth programs and Homework Help are popular at North Regional Library.  
The entire first floor has been redone, and most of the space is dedicated to teen and children's literature. Before Covid the library had one of the largest graphic novel and Manga collections available.  Local artists works can be found throughout the library, including the beautiful carved oak chairs upstairs.

Our library host DJ shared his journey, starting with Teen Tech to becoming one of the staff members running the youth programs at North Regional.  Go DJ!  

WEBBER PARK LIBRARY 

4440 N Humboldt Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55412

Nature surrounds Webber Park Library, with a perfect location right off the parkway, and provides easy access by bike, yay!   

Large windows allow light to filter into the space from every direction, even when it was raining outside during our visit.  It lets you feel close to nature, a sanctuary from the elements, beckoning us to grab a book and sit for a spell.  

Staff member Alexis highlighted the strong Local Friends group and the neighborhood involvement helping Webber Park Library thrive.   

NORTHEAST LIBRARY

2200 Central Ave N E
Minneapolis, MN 55418     

A modern structure in the site of an original Carnegie Library, this branch has so much history to explore.  The library has been going greener after a remodel in 2011 emphasized sustainable building practices, and this helps make the Northeast Library a gem in the bustling Central Ave area.  

Community connections, like the "Art at the Library" program and the abundance of library resources in many languages, highlight the diversity of the local neighborhood.  
With coffee shops, global restaurant fare, and a brewery nearby, it was a great way to end our first day of the HCL biking tour!   

Library opened in 1915. One of the first four Carnegie-f