Tour de Library Day 14

 

July 18, 2024

Total 35 of 41 Hennepin County Libraries

Biking the Dakota Rail Regional Trail in the western suburbs, I marveled at marshlands and all the green space available for walkers and bikers to enjoy.  On another hot summer day, I was grateful for this shady bike trail keeping me cool and safe from traffic.  My navigator (husband) was also looking forward to the promise of a stop at Back Channel Brewing Co. near the trail and on the way home from our library expedition.  

WESTONKA LIBRARY

2079 Commerce Blvd
Mound, MN 55364

The moment I walked into the Westonka Library, I was greeted by friendly staff at the front desk.  According to one of the members, they make it their mission to greet every patron to make them feel welcome.  I relished the attention and the chance to hear about what makes their location special.

The current space is perfect for a visit on a bike, as it sits on a wooded area near Lake Minnetonka and the bike trail.  It has a cozy community feel, reminiscent of my own beloved Golden Valley Library which also opened its doors in the early 70's.  It makes me happy to hear staff speak of their love of their library.  I spoke to one staff member who grew up and went to school nearby.  Now her adult kids live in the area and also enjoy the library.    

The library is preparing to undergo a major remodel later in 2024.  This will be the first net zero greenhouse gas emissions library.  The library will be closed for 18 months during the remodeling period.  Luckily the community will have a number of sister libraries to choose from in the interim, including St. Bonifacius the next library on my visit.  

Hurry on over, here is your chance to visit Westonka Library and see the before and after transformation!

     

ST BONIFACIUS LIBRARY

8624 Kennedy Memorial Drive 
St Bonifacius, MN 55374

Our group returned to the bike trail and continued west towards the small city of St Bonifacius, a one square mile community originally settled by German immigrants.  Of note, St Bonifacius is the patron saint of Germany, brewers, tailors and file cutters.  The library building has a charming European style exterior and compact interior.  

I sat down with the two staff members who shared wonderful stories about the library's history and past.  Originally a bank building without running water, staff had to close up and go home to use a bathroom.  Luckily there is now a bathroom where the bank vault use to be, in the safest space in case of a tornado.  

St Bonifacius Library is a cherished part of the community, who rally to keep it open.  Despite its small size and small online presence, this library is a treasure trove for history buffs.  The St. Bonifacius Historical Society is conveniently located in the basement of the library.  

The staff also suggested we visit "Missile Park" located just down the hill from the library.  It is a unique look back to a time during the cold war period, when St Bonifacius was an important site in the nation's missile defense system.  It was the last resort in protecting the Twin Cities in case of a Soviet attack, yikes!