Tour de Library Day 6

 

July 28, 2023

Total 18 of 41 Hennepin County Libraries

NOKOMIS LIBRARY

5100 34th Ave. S.
Minneapolis , MN 55417

The Nokomis Library, a star shaped building, is striking with all its angles and limestone walls visible both outside and in.

With 5 adult book clubs -- including Sci-fi, Mystery/Thriller, Graphic Novel, 55+ and "Bookomis!" (an all-genres book club) -- they have something for everyone.  

Lisa, a staff member, points out how everyone on the library team is on board and putting in the effort into making the Nokomis Library welcoming to all.  This is one of the reasons she enjoys her work so much.  With writing groups and activities, such as "fearless and friendly knitting" and the "seed sorting parties" for the community seed library, she urges library patrons to come back and try one of the many programs.  I left excited, thinking about which activity I'm going to choose for my return.    

ROOSEVELT LIBRARY

4026 28th Ave. S.
Minneapolis , MN 55406

The "small but mighty" Roosevelt Library, as the staff affectionately call it, was built 1927 to serve the Roosevelt High School across the street and the surrounding neighborhood.  It is on the National Register of Historic Places. 

I spoke with Carolina, who is bilingual and enjoys working with the Spanish speaking community.  Lisa, another staff member, said they have one of the highest number of visits for Homework Help.  They recently added the Teen Tech Squad program.  

The library celebrated the end of the school year by hosting a "Donuts and DJ Party" with 500 donuts from "The Baker's Wife" a bakery down the street.  The event was so well attended they are thinking of doing it again.  Despite the renovations in 2013, they are outgrowing their study room space and meeting rooms -- isn't that always the case with kids -- but to this day the Roosevelt Library is still thriving on teen spirit!  

HOSMER LIBRARY                            

347 E. 36th St.
Minneapolis , MN 55408

The Hosmer Library is a castle-like structure that sits in the Powderhorn neighborhood.  Built in 1916, it is one of the 4 Carnegie-funded libraries and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

They have many study rooms, individual desks, and tables, which were all occupied during my visit.  The large "Tween Room" with the George Floyd art work serves this age group well.  I learned about their large "Zine" collection, which is pretty cool.  

I was lucky to speak to a library patron while I was in the children's section, as her 4 year old and 19 month old came up to me to show off their butterfly wings from the library box.  The family comes to the library a couple times a week for kid programs.  The mother knew many of the library staff by name and shared how much the library is part of their life.  They left happy with a large bag full of books, and I guess that's what makes us all happy.   

Tour de Library Day 5

 

6/23/23

Total 15 of 41 Hennepin County Library sites

EXCELSIOR LIBRARY                                           

337 Water St.
Excelsior, MN 55331

Traveling along the Lake Minnetonka Regional Bike Trail I arrived at the doorstep of the Excelsior Library. The Excelsior Trolley on Saturdays brings in many library guests, exploring the book shelves and pop-up activity tents outside.

Jean, an HCL staff member for over 30 years, spoke to me about how Excelsior Library engages patrons of all ages, from the afternoon rush of kids from the nearby elementary school, to the senior patron who starts every day at the library doing a puzzle while having her coffee.

The surrounding murals inside celebrate old Excelsior and the different ways the city has become a gathering place, which is still true at the library today.

MINNETONKA LIBRARY

17524 Excelsior Blvd.

Minnetonka, MN 55345

The Minnetonka Library will celebrate 35 years in 2024 according to Julie, a HCL staff member.  She should know -- she got her very own library card at this location when she was 5 years old.  Her elementary school is just down the street. 

It is a cozy library with frequent patrons from the nearby senior apartments as well as families from the elementary schools and nearby neighborhood.  The library hosts a conversational Spanish group for adult learners and engages patrons with the popular and colorful "sticker art project," which caught my attention as I wandered around.

WAYZATA LIBRARY

620 Rice Street

Wayzata, MN 55391

Like many of the HCL's, the children's section rules at the Wayzata Library and the study rooms stay busy during the school year.  The "Yoga & Stories" program for K-5 makes me wistful for our own family time days at our local library.

One of my bike buddies described the Wayzata Library as a "destination library," and I have to agree.  The library sits at the top of a hill with views of Lake Minnetonka, and with a large outdoor space it's the perfect spot to take your books, bring a picnic, and enjoy a beautiful summer day.