News
Keep up with the latest news about Hennepin County Library building projects, events, people, services and resources. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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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
Video Conference Rooms Now Available at Some Locations
Hennepin County Library now offers reservable video conference rooms at Brookdale, Hosmer, Minneapolis Central, Plymouth and Rockford Road libraries. Residents can book semi-private spaces to attend online job interviews, classes, trainings, telemedicine visits, and other video conferencing opportunities.
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
New Arrivals
The Minnesota Center for Book Arts’ Artist Collective presents “New Arrivals”, an exhibit that captures the expressive range of the book arts. Founded in 1983, Minnesota Center for Book Arts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to igniting creativity and community throughout the book arts.Category: Events
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
New Cargill Gallery Exhibit: ROHO Collective – Our Souls Shine Bright
Featuring paintings, drawings, sculpture, and photography, a new exhibit will be on display at the Cargill Gallery June 5-July 27.
Category: Events
Youth leadership opportunity at Hennepin County Library
Hennepin County Library is accepting applications for Youth Advisory Committee through Friday, June 23. A stipend is available for participation.
Category: People
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
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Celebrate Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with recommended reading and films.
May is American Indian Month in Minnesota
Join us as we celebrate American Indian Month in Minnesota. Your library has resources about Indigenous history, traditions, and art.
Hennepin County Announces Vacancy for Library Director
Hennepin County Library is seeking a dynamic Library Director to provide leadership for initiatives that impact all areas of the organization and the communities we serve.Category: Events
Hennepin County Library celebrates National Library Week
The American Library Association has designated April 23-29, 2023, as National Library Week, a time to celebrate libraries, and library staff, across the country. This year’s theme is “There’s More to the Story."
Category: Services
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
Hennepin County Library discontinuing Freegal service
We are discontinuing the Freegal music streaming service April 14, 2023.
Category: Resources
New Cargill Gallery Exhibit: Art Is My Weapon
“Art Is My Weapon” is a multimedia group exhibition that empowers Minnesota artists to creatively address gun violence in our communities and runs from April 6 – May 27, 2023.
Category: Events
Minnesota musicians: be heard!
Hennepin County Library is searching for Minnesota musicians to feature on MNspin. Submissions will be accepted from March 15 – April 17.Category: Events
New features coming to Libby from OverDrive
Starting March 21, patrons can use Deep Search & Notify Me tags in Libby to let libraries know about content they would like to see that is not yet offered.
Category: Resources
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
Minnesota children's book awards
From March 1-23 kids are invited to vote online for two book awards: Star of the North and Maud Hart Lovelace.
Category: Events
Hennepin County Law Library Continuing Legal Education Series
Hennepin County’s Law Library offers a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) series that provides continuing education credits to attorneys. The classes are free of charge and open to anyone. Registration is not required. Attendees may receive one credit per session.
Category: Events
Black History Month
Check out these great resources for listening to, learning about, and celebrating Black history.
Category: Events
TESTIFY Exhibit Returns to Hennepin County Library
The TESTIFY exhibit is returning to Minneapolis Central Library on February 1, with weekly events and programs through March 29.
Category: Events
St. Louis Park Library will reopen Monday, Jan. 9
St. Louis Park Library will reopen Monday, Jan. 9. The building was closed for a full roof replacement, replacement of doors and windows, ADA-related concrete walk improvements, repaving of the parking lot, and LED lighting upgrades throughout the building.
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
Temporary closure of St. Louis Park Library
St. Louis Park Library will close for a building maintenance and preservation project on September 25, 2022. Work will include roof replacement and parking lot refurbishment.
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
Rockford Road Library reopens September 6
Rockford Road Library will reopen on September 6, following the first phase of a two-part parking lot maintenance project. The second phase of the project will be completed in 2023.
Category: Building projects
Rockford Road temporarily closing on August 9
Rockford Road Library is temporarily closing for site work August 9 – early September. During the closure, all holds will be sent to Golden Valley Library. To change to another location, ask staff.
Category: Services, Building projects
Sumner Library project planning begins
Sumner Library is scheduled to undergo a refurbishment project in late 2022. 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.Category: Building projects
Southdale Library project on hold
Hennepin County has paused its plans to relocate Southdale Library from the current 8-acre parcel on York Avenue in Edina.
Category: Building projects
Southdale Library facts and redevelopment history
Plans for a new Southdale Library are underway. Learn more about the project by reviewing the library facts and redevelopment history.Category: Building projects
Designer Selection Committee recommendation for Westonka Library
The Hennepin County Designer Selection Committee has recommended Gensler as the architectural firm for the new Westonka Library.
Category: Building projects