Northeast Minneapolis area residents are invited to celebrate the upcoming renovation and expansion of Hennepin County Library - Northeast at a "Renovation Kickoff" open house and storytime 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29 at the library, 2200 Central Ave. N.E., Minneapolis.

 

See plans for the renovation on project design boards that will be on display. At 6:30 p.m., Hennepin County Commissioner Mark Stenglein will present a Family Storytime. In addition, Library Board President Therese VanBlarcom will talk about the renovation's many highlights, kids can enjoy a fun craft activity celebrating the renovation, and refreshments will be served.

 

The library will close at 8 p.m. on Oct. 29. Construction is projected to be completed in 2011.

 

"We're excited to get started on this project," said Hennepin County Commissioner Mark Stenglein, 2^nd District. "There has been a lot of behind-the-scenes work and now we can begin the actual renovation. We hope area residents will join us for the renovation kickoff — it will be a fun event."

 

The Northeast Library Advisory Team, which consists of members of the community, provided essential feedback on what the community wanted in a library. 

 

Hennepin County Library - Northeast is currently 14,500 square feet and will be expanded to 16,221 square feet. The library will have more space for children, including a new early literacy/interactive discovery zone, plus additional space for teens. The renovated library also will have expanded space for comfortable reading and quiet study; triple the current number of computers; energy conservation and sustainable features; and more visible and welcoming entrances opening onto an improved parking area and Central Avenue. 

 

For increased energy conservation and efficiency, window design will maximize use of natural daylight, and there will be new and updated mechanical systems, native plantings, and a storm water management system.

 

While Hennepin County Library - Northeast is closed, customers may use any other Hennepin County library, including these nearby libraries:

 

During the renovation, the book drop will be closed. Books and other materials may be returned to any other Hennepin County or metro area public library. 

 

Customer requests for books and other materials will be automatically sent to the St. Anthony Library, unless the customer designated an alternate pickup location by Oct. 14.

 

Students who need homework assistance are encouraged to use the Homework Hub at nearby Hennepin County Library - Central. Online homework help is available for grades 3-12 in English and Spanish 1-11 p.m. seven days a week: http://www.hclib.org/pub/info/homework.cfm

 

Architect for the renovation and expansion project is Cuningham Group Architecture, P.A. City of Minneapolis bonds provided core funding for the renovation in the amount of $3.785 million. The Hennepin County Board augmented the Minneapolis funding by $1.45 million to provide a more complete project for the community.

 

For more information about the Hennepin County Library - Northeast renovation project: http://www.hclib.org/pub/info/news_releases/BuildingProjects.cfm