SEPT. 12 OPEN HOUSE WILL CELEBRATE KICKOFF OF NOKOMIS LIBRARY'S RENOVATION
Area residents are invited to celebrate the upcoming renovation of the Nokomis Library at a "Renovation Kickoff" open house and storytime 10 a.m.-12 noon Saturday, Sept. 12 at the library, 5100 34th Ave. S., Minneapolis. The library will close for renovation at 6 p.m. on Sept. 12.
Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, 4th District, will lead a "Renovation Kickoff Storytime" at 10:30 a.m. in the usual storytime spot — the meeting room on the lower level.
City Council Member Sandy Colvin Roy, Nokomis Library Advisory Team members, and other speakers will share their thoughts on the library and excitement for the renovation, and Library Board President Therese VanBlarcom will talk about renovation highlights. Conceptual design boards of the renovated library will be on display throughout the main level of the library. Kids can enjoy a fun craft activity celebrating the renovation, too. Refreshments will be served.
Renovations will begin at the end of October. Expected completion and reopening date of the renovated library is 2011.
"We will bid the original Nokomis Library a fond farewell and celebrate the expanded facility that will even better serve our community when it reopens," said Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, 4th District. "The plans for the expanded library, which were developed in partnership with staff, architects, and the community advisory team, will feature innovative green building elements, an enhanced collection, and other exciting features that will serve library users of all ages."
While the Nokomis Library is closed, customers are encouraged to visit any of the nearby Hennepin County libraries, including East Lake (2727 E. Lake St., Minneapolis), Roosevelt (4026 28th Ave. S., Minneapolis), Southdale (7001 York Ave. S., Edina), and Washburn (5244 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis).
In response to customer feedback, Roosevelt Library will be open expanded hours during the renovation of the Nokomis Library. Beginning Sept. 16, the library is adding Wednesday hours -- open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Homework Hub location closest to Nokomis Library is East Lake Library.
In planning for the renovated library, the Nokomis Library Advisory Team, which consists of members of the community, provided essential feedback on what the community wants in a library.
More than 4,300 square feet will be added to the library's main level. There will be a multi-purpose space on the main level for storytimes, library programs, community meetings, and other needs. Customers will see a refreshed collection and will have access to more public computers in the renovated library. Energy conservation and sustainable features will be at the forefront of this green design development.
The Nokomis Library was built in 1968 to serve the Nokomis East neighborhoods of Minneapolis. It currently is 13,326 square feet on two levels. Architect for the renovation project is KKE Architects, Inc.
If you have questions about the Nokomis Library construction project, contact Capital Projects Manager Lois Lenroot-Ernt at 952-847-8628 or
llenroot@hclib.org
