News

New Hennepin County Library App

Carry your library card anywhere with the new Hennepin County Library app, available for Apple and Android devices.

Pierre Bottineau Library will reopen Monday, December 2

Pierre Bottineau Library will reopen to the public at noon on Monday, December 2, after the completion of a planned building modification project.

Category: Building projects

Native American Heritage Month

Hennepin County Library invites you to connect and learn more about Native American heritage with engaging art, literature, music, and film.

Category: Events

Augsburg Park Library building project update

Progress on the Augsburg Park Library building project is moving along.

Category: Building projects

Public Art opportunity: Hennepin County – Arvonne Fraser Library

Hennepin County is collaborating with Forecast Public Art to facilitate the curation and commissioning process for permanent artwork for Arvonne Fraser Library.

Category: Building projects

Southdale Library community meeting planned for December 7

Members of the public are invited to attend a community meeting at Southdale Library Saturday, December 7 at 10 a.m. to get an update on the project timeline, see the most recent design plans and renderings, and learn more about plans for the closure.

Category: Building projects

Sumner Library will reopen Tuesday, November 19

Sumner Library will reopen to the public Tuesday, November 19. The building has been closed for a planned renovation project.

Category: Building projects

Cargill Gallery presents: Exhale – Reflections on Guaranteed Income

The artists of the Cargill Gallery exhibit "Exhale" reflect on the potential impact of Guaranteed Income on their communities, livelihood, and creative practice. What emerges are themes of joy, breath, and care.

Category: Events

Updated timeline for Westonka Library new construction project

The Westonka Library new construction project is in the works. The timeline for this project has been adjusted slightly and the building will now remain open into early 2025.

Category: Building projects

Summer at Hennepin County Library a huge success

As summer winds down and the school year begins, we’re looking back at all the fun we had this summer at Hennepin County Library.

Category: Events, Services

Updated timeline for Brookdale Library remodeling project

Brookdale Library is scheduled to undergo a remodeling project in the coming years. The timeline has been adjusted to start in 2027 to ensure that Brookdale Library remains open while Southdale Library is undergoing construction, avoiding overlapping closures of two heavily utilized libraries.

Category: Building projects

Work on Sumner Library renovation project moving along

After record rainfall earlier this summer, exterior work at Sumner Library is finally underway. Saturated soils in June delayed site work throughout the region and pushing out the start of Sumner’s exterior work. 

Category: Building projects

Hennepin County Library hosting Entrepreneur Expo at Minneapolis Central Library Oct. 5

Small business owners are invited to attend Hennepin County Library’s Entrepreneur Expo Saturday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Minneapolis Central Library.

Category: Events

Pierre Bottineau Library building project progressing

Progress on the Pierre Bottineau Library building project is moving along. Currently, around 50% of construction is complete.

Category: Building projects

Cargill Gallery presents: Laomerica 50 – Democracy and Diaspora

Hennepin County Library announces its next Cargill Gallery exhibit: Laomerica 50 – Democracy and Diaspora. The exhibit examines the complex experiences of Minnesota’s population of Laotian refugees over the past 50 years.

Category: Events

Pierre Bottineau Library project moving along

The Pierre Bottineau Library project is moving along. Contractors are in the demolition phase, with a current focus on removing existing glue from the concrete in preparation for new carpet tile. 

Category: Building projects

Augsburg Park library closing for planned interior, exterior work

Augsburg Park Library will close for planned interior and exterior work beginning Sunday, July 14, and is expected to reopen in spring 2025.

Category: Building projects

June is Pride Month

June is Pride month! Celebrate with events, music, and books for all ages. 

Category: Events

Cargill Gallery presents: 1934 & Now

Hennepin County Library announces its next Cargill Gallery exhibit: 1934 & Now, Connections of the Minneapolis Truckers’ Strike of 1934. This exhibit presents work that connects local labor history, current issues, and the role of workers in bringing social change.

Category: Events

Architectural firm selected for Brookdale Library project

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners recently approved a contract with Gensler as the architectural firm for the Brookdale Library project.

Category: Building projects

Youth leadership opportunity at Hennepin County Library

Hennepin County Library is accepting applications for a formal Library Youth Advisory Committee. Hennepin County commissioners will appoint a total of 14 youth – two for each district – for one-year terms.

Category: People

Crews making progress on Sumner Library renovation project

Noticeable progress has been made on the Sumner Library renovation project since the last update.

Category: Building projects

Volunteers make a difference

In 2023, adult and teen volunteers gave more than 18,000 hours of service to their libraries.

Category: People

Pierre Bottineau Library closing for planned interior work

Pierre Bottineau Library will close for a facilities modification project beginning Monday, May 13, and is expected to reopen in fall 2024.

Category: Building projects

New Cargill Gallery exhibit: The Next Chapter

Hennepin County Library announces its next Cargill Gallery exhibit, The Next Chapter. This exhibit features Minnesota Book Artist Award winning works.

Category: Events

One new member, two re-appointed to Hennepin County Library Board

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners appointed Xaiyo Chang the newest member of the Hennepin County Library Board, while Lynn Stetler and Amal Karim were re-appointed for another term.

Category: People

Solar Eclipse Resources

Hennepin County residents will have an opportunity to experience a partial solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.

Category: Events

Rockford Road Library will reopen Monday, April 8

Rockford Road Library will reopen to the public Monday, April 8. The building has been closed for a planned renovation project.

Category: Building projects

Plans progressing for Westonka Library replacement

Hennepin County hosted a community meeting at Westonka Library Saturday, March 2, as part of a series of events to engage the public and share updates on the Westonka Library replacement project.

Category: Building projects

Public Art opportunity: Hennepin County Sumner Library

Established artists invited to submit qualifications for public art opportunity at Sumner Library.

Category: Building projects

Artist selected for Hosmer Library’s public art commission

Olivia Levins Holden has been selected to create public art for Hosmer Library as part of the county’s “One Percent for Art” Commissioned Public Art program.

Category: People

Work continues on Sumner Library renovation project

Crews are making progress on the Sumner Library renovation project with noticeable changes each week.

Category: Building projects

Maud Hart Lovelace and Star of the North Picture Book Awards

From March 1-March 21, children are invited to vote online for two book awards: Star of the North and Maud Hart Lovelace.

Category: Events

Rockford Road project update

Progress on the Rockford Road Library renovation project continues.

Category: Building projects

Love local music? Check out MNspin, Hennepin County Library’s music streaming service!

MNspin is a free local music streaming service offered by Hennepin County Library. MNspin connects Minnesota artists with new audiences and offers listeners an ad-free exploration of our rich, diverse local music scene.

Category: Resources

Westonka Library community meeting planned for March 2

Plans for a new Westonka Library building are progressing and members of the public are invited to attend a community meeting at the library Saturday, March 2.

Category: Building projects

New Cargill Gallery exhibit: Voices of the Unheard

The George Floyd Global Memorial introduces “Voices of the Unheard.” This exhibit highlights voices of black youth. It was designed by engaging black students, discussing the events of the 2020 Uprising, and allowing each student to choose a protest sign that resonated with their feelings.

Category: Events

Black History Month

Hennepin County libraries will celebrate and honor Black History Month this February with public programs, displays and activities in libraries, and recommended book, music, and film lists.

Category: Events

Construction work on Sumner Library is underway

In their first month of work, KMS Construction, a Black-owned construction company headquartered in Minneapolis, has begun interior selective demolition.

Category: Building projects

Brookdale Library remodeling project planning begins

Brookdale Library is scheduled to undergo a remodeling project in 2026.

Category: Building projects

Plans for new Southdale Library building progressing

Hennepin County hosted a community meeting at Southdale Library Saturday, January 20, as part of a series of events to engage the public and share updates on the Southdale Library building project.

Category: Building projects

Celebrate the Lunar New Year

The Lunar New Year celebrations, based on the Chinese lunisolar calendar, occur on the same date across East Asia. Although occurring on the same new moon day, celebrations are unique to their own cultures, each with its interpretations, zodiacs, and traditions.

Category: Events

Hennepin County Library’s most borrowed books of 2023

As the year comes to a close, we’re taking a look back at Hennepin County Library’s most borrowed books of the year. Curious about what your fellow book lovers were reading this year?

Category: Resources

County board approves funding for next phase of Westonka Library project

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners approved the second phase of funding for the Westonka Library project November 2.

Category: Building projects

Southdale community meeting planned for Jan. 20

Plans for a new Southdale Library building are progressing and members of the public are invited to attend a community meeting to learn more about the project.

Category: Building projects

Rockford Road project update

Construction on the Rockford Road Library renovation project is moving along as planned.

Category: Building projects

Hennepin County Library participates in Sheriff’s Office cold weather clothing drive

The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) launched a cold weather clothing drive November 15. HSCO is collecting donations of new or gently used cold weather items for distribution to individuals in need in Hennepin County.

Category: People

New Cargill Gallery Exhibit: TransFabulous – Gender in Community

TransFabulous is proud to present Gender in Community, an exhibit created with the thriving queer arts community both local and abroad.

Category: Events

Linden Hills Library will reopen Monday, Nov. 13

Linden Hills Library will reopen to the public Monday, Nov. 13. The building was closed for a preservation project. Work included repair of exterior windows, brick, and stone, and the replacement of the slate roof.

Category: Building projects

New music now streaming on MNspin

Hennepin County Library’s free music streaming service, MNspin, has released its 2023 collection of music. This year’s selection includes 105 new albums, growing the collection to more than 600 albums across 14 genres.

Category: Services

Paid and volunteer tutors needed for Let’s Read and Homework Help

Hennepin County Library (HCL) is seeking several lead tutors and volunteer tutors who are passionate about serving youth and families.

Category: Services

Let Freedom Read

In recognition of Banned Books Week, Library Board members share their perspectives on intellectual freedom and the First Amendment.

Category:

New Cargill Gallery exhibit: Storied Leaves

Travel through time and across the globe as you explore the library's rare Art Book Collection. This vibrant exhibit showcases art from six continents—Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe, and Oceania—spanning ancient to contemporary times.

Category:

Hennepin County Library hosting Entrepreneur Expo at Minneapolis Central Library Oct. 11

Small business owners are invited to attend Hennepin County Library’s Entrepreneur Expo Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Minneapolis Central Library. The event returns for its 5th year after a three-year hiatus.

Category: Events

Linden Hills Library project update

Extreme heat briefly delayed progress on the Linden Hills Library exterior preservation project, but work continues and the project is on track to be complete by late fall.

Category: Building projects

Southdale Library community meeting engages residents in planning for new building

Hennepin County Library hosted a community meeting at Southdale Library Thursday, August 31, as part of a series of events to engage the public in the upcoming new build project.

Category: Building projects

Osseo Library hours expanding Sept. 11

The hours of Osseo Library will be expanded with a new self-service model beginning Sept. 11.

Category: Services

Rockford Road project update

The Rockford Road Library renovation project has reached a milestone and site construction is moving along as planned.

Category: Building projects

Sumner Library closing for renovation

Sumner Library will close for a renovation project beginning Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, and is expected to reopen in fall 2024.

Category: Building projects

Hennepin County Appoints New Library Director

Hennepin County has named Scott Duimstra as the next director for Hennepin County Library.

Category: Services

Southdale Library community meeting planned for Aug. 31

A public meeting will be held at the library on Thursday, August 31, from 6-7:30 p.m.

Category: Building projects

Linden Hills Library project update

The Linden Hills Library exterior preservation project has reached a milestone – demolition is complete. The project is on schedule with no major issues discovered during demolition.

Category: Building projects

Westonka Library engages community in planning for new building

Hennepin County Library hosted an open house at Westonka Library Tuesday, July 18, as part of a series of events to engage the public in the upcoming new build project.

Category: Building projects

Westonka Library Building Project Open House

An open house will be held at the library on Tuesday, July 18, from 6:30-8 p.m.

Category: Building projects

Kanopy

Stream free movies with your library card

Category: Resources

Sumner Library engages community in renovation planning

Hennepin County Library hosted a series of events to engage the public and gather feedback on the upcoming renovation of Sumner Library.

Category: Building projects

Continuing Conversations - Sumner Library Renovation Planning

Join a continuing conversation about the renovation plans for Sumner Library on Monday, May 8 at 6:30 p.m. The event will be led by library staff and architect Mohammed Lawal. Participants can also view drawings and floor plans, and share their feedback. All are welcome.

Category: Building projects

Linden Hills Library closing for preservation project

Linden Hills Library will close for a preservation project beginning Sunday, May 28, and is expected to reopen in fall 2023.

Category: Building projects

Rockford Road Library closing for building project

Rockford Road Library will close for a building project beginning Monday, May 1, and is expected to reopen in spring 2024.

Category: Building projects

Westonka Library project resumes

Planning for the Westonka Library project will resume in 2023.

Category: Building projects

Sumner Library renovation planning open house on April 10

Renovation plans for Sumner Library are being finalized. A follow-up open house will be held at the library on Monday, April 10, 2023, from 6-7:30pm.

Category: Building projects

Rockford Road Library refurbishment planning continues

Rockford Road Library is finalizing design development for a refurbishment in 2023.

Category: Building projects

Southdale Library planning will resume in 2023

Southdale Library planning will resume in 2023 and will include building on the existing site.

Category: Building projects

Sumner Library renovation planning open house September 12

Renovation plans for Sumner Library are currently in the design development phase. An open house will be held at the library on Monday, September 12, from 6-7:30pm.

Category: Building projects

Rockford Road Library planning underway

Rockford Road Library is scheduled to undergo a refurbishment project in 2023. In preparation for the project, Hennepin County Library is seeking your input. We want to know how you use the library and where we can make improvements. [The survey closed on September 30.]

Category: Building projects

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