Two north metro cities, Brooklyn Park and Columbia Heights, unveiled new and larger libraries last week.
They still have plenty of books. But expanded meeting spaces, sleek new children and teen areas, and more public computer terminals are the most celebrated changes.
The new $23.5 million Brooklyn Park branch of the Hennepin County Library system is 39,000 square feet, double the size of the old building. It has 78 public computers vs. 53 before and offers 11 public meeting rooms compared to just one.
Other features include a play-and-learn space for families, designed with the help of the Minnesota Children's Museum; a teen-focused tech center with recording studio, and flexible individual and collaborative work spaces.
The new library highlights the diversity of world cultures in Brooklyn Park.
"The library was carefully designed and built to be both a signature destination in Brooklyn Park and an incredible resource for all residents of Hennepin County," said Hennepin County Commissioner Mike Opat, in a written statement.
The new Columbia Heights Library is 22,600 square feet, making it one-third bigger than the old space. The building now anchors downtown along Central Avenue, a "location [that] serves as a community beacon and catalyst for future development," said Library Director Renee Dougherty, in a statement.
Established in 1928, the Columbia Heights Library is the oldest in Anoka County and was first housed in the Heights Theater. The new location is next door to the historic theater.
Amenities include 22 computer stations; separate adult, teen and children's areas; six smaller meeting rooms and a larger 80-seat community meeting room.
Shannon Prather • 612-673-4804
