North Minneapolis residents have been waiting for over two years for the return of the North Regional Library. They won’t be getting it. Instead they will get something new and enchanting in the newly renovated North Regional Library. And for a change people will not point fingers in blame, but will gladly accept the praise they deserve in bringing the renovation dreams to reality.
If you haven’t made the trip to the newly renovated library, do so (Grand Opening is January 27, 12:30-4:30 p.m.). It is worth the effort. This is not your stereotypical library, with shelving floor to ceiling and librarians behind desks, glaring over glasses at the person whose feet make too much noise shuffling across the floor. For a moment you may think you have stumbled into Barnes and Nobles or the Walker Art Center. Upon entering you are greeted by an atmosphere of sophisticated artistry. The Nature and Discovery Theme is presented as you enter, in the flawless wood sculptures of local artist Marjorie Pitz. The beautiful cherry, oak and maple sculptures are entitled Turning Leaves, and invite you to take a rest with a book if you wish. Just beyond you are presented with the latest books, DVDs and CDs in a marketplace style, but you can be thankful that your taxes have already covered the costs for you.
The large, eastern portion of the library is designed for use by children and teens. This was done to concentrate activity and, dare I say it, noise. It was also done so that teens who are watching young ones can keep a closer eye on them. Shelving is low, so that you can see across the room, and many books face out inviting you to pick them up and read. There are See and Do spaces, magnet boards and a “waterproof” room for creative play, art and science activities. The eastern wall presents the first publicly commissioned artwork of local photographer, Wing Young Huie and shows pictures of North Minneapolis residents engaged in life. One photograph shows children and adults making food at Loring School’s, Kid’s Cook program. Another shows people doing Tai Chi. The fun is in seeing who you know in the greater than life-sized photographs.
The children’s area is whimsical and inviting. A large, plush blue “throne” invites children into the story reading area. A magnet table at the center lets you know that they will not have to be still and sit quietly. Librarian’s are moving about, helping and interacting with patrons, in a style reminiscent of good old fashioned customer service. The children’s computers are inviting with multi-colored keyboards and mice shaped like cars. Parents will be pleased to know filters have been added to insure children do not take a wrong turn on the Internet.
The western room has been designed as the adult area. The ceiling is lowered, the floor is carpeted and the room presents itself as a quieter, more contemplative setting. In addition to the 30-plus PCs building-wide and wireless capacity throughout, there is adaptive technology for those with hearing or visual impairments. There are tables for serious research and plush chairs for relaxing and reading. Coffee mugs (with lids) are welcome. With the floor to ceiling windows and brilliant lighting, the entire building reminds me of Hemingway’s “Clean, well-lighted place.”
The planners and architects obviously incorporated the needs of the community into their efforts. In addition to the aforementioned areas, programming will be a large part of North Regional Library. HIRED and CPED are on board to assist with job training. And Homework Helper will be available daily. A Teen Job Fair is scheduled for February 24, noon to 4 p.m. Story time is scheduled for families, preschoolers and babies on a regular basis. For info on all these activities visit the library or www.mplib.org and click on North Regional Library.
Patrons can also be assured that they will get the best public service available through the Minneapolis Public Library System. The10-plus, librarians at North Regional have been trained in all aspects of library service. For the most part, librarians will be out and about the library, helping patrons. Jerry Blue, seasoned storyteller and area manager, has a heart of gold and a deep concern for the Northside. Barb Elg will be the “agency head.” She may indeed prove to be the library’s greatest asset, as her record at Webber Library shows. While at Webber she grew all programs, most notably the summer youth reading program by 161 percent, she also headed up the largest teen book club in the Minneapolis Library system.
After you visit the library, be sure to thank the Library Board Trustees, and yourself if you voted for the capital improvements referendum. The North Regional Library improvements came to $4,567,083, with $2,583,000 coming from referendum dollars, $1,600,000 from City of Minneapolis Capital Improvement Program, $32,500 from the McKinley, Jordan Area and Cleveland Neighborhoods, and the rest from other granting sources. In your conversation with them, remind them that the little library to the north, Webber Park, and the community surrounding it, are awaiting their turn. Remind them that over $2 million is committed to the renovations at Webber and that four neighborhood groups, Webber-Camden, Victory, Lind Bohanon and Shingle Creek have committed $224,500 towards its renovation.
Upstairs at the North Regional Library you will find gathering places; public meeting rooms. One is a historical room, called The Emerson Room and so it seems right to end with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Character is higher than intellect. Thinking is the function. Living is the functionary. Live your life just so. Contact the Library Board and thank them - and remind them about Webber.
The 32,600 square foot, full accessible North Regional library was originally built in 1971. The library’s hours will be noon to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Library Trustees: Anita S. Duckor, Pres., anita@duckor.com; Sheldon Mains, smains@visi.com; Rod Krueger, rodmn@hotmail.com; Laurie Savran, Sec., lafscal@aol.com; Alan Hooker, alanhooker@gmail.com; Laura Waterman Wittstock, lwmpls@visi.com; Hussein Samatar, hsamatar@adcminnesota.org; Gary Thaden, gthaden@gmail.com; Kit Hadley, Director of MPLs, kghadley@mplib.org