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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Maria Elena Baca, Communications, 612-348-7865
All are welcome to celebrate the newly renovated library
Festivities will include remarks from District 6 Commissioner Jan Callison and Library Director Lois Langer Thompson, followed by a ribbon cutting. The celebration and the library will be open to the public. The library will remain open until 9 p.m. that day.
Monday, September 24, 5 p.m.
Hennepin County Library—Ridgedale, 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka
About the project
A $7 million renovation has closed the library for more than a year. Architecture firm Gensler designed the refreshed library; Shaw-Lundquist Associates Inc. led the construction. Library upgrades were completed at the same time as a $14 million Ridgedale Regional Center preservation project.
“My family and I have enjoyed using Ridgedale as our home library for many years, and have experienced first-hand the importance of this regional library,” Callison said. “These improvements will position the library well to meet changing community expectations, patron needs and technological advances. When you walk in and see the aesthetic improvements and the usability upgrades, it will be obvious that it was worth the wait.”
The library, which opened in 1982, was last renovated in 1999. The renovated library will maintain 220,000 items in its collection of books, CDs and DVDs. Though improved sight lights make the space look larger, the library still has the same 55,000 square feet of usable space.
“With an average of 321,000 visitors each year, Ridgedale Library is vital to this area, and we know the changes will make it even more valuable to our patrons and the community,” said Langer Thompson. “Many of the improvements came directly from suggestions we received in community and staff engagement meetings. Our goal is to have a library that serves the community, and we can’t wait to welcome you back.”
New and improved
New to the library
- 15 meeting rooms (up from six)
- About 100 more electrical outlets, convenient for people to use and charge their own devices
- Refreshed furniture
- Improved sight lines and more natural light
- Flexible and enhanced spaces for children and teens
- Longer hours for holds access
Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday 11:30 to 5 p.m.
Important upgrades that make your visit more enjoyable
- Updated WiFi systems and connectivity throughout the library
- New mechanical and electrical systems
- Lighting upgrades
- Improved parking lot drainage
Visit your library
When the library reopens, patrons can take advantage of the same hours of operation:
Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
Look for more news on the Hennepin County Library website at hclib.org.
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