Thanks to Blue Sky Bookkeeping and Jameson’s Irish Bar for their support.
Dakota County is holding an open house to learn about planned renovations at Wentworth Library and encourage residents to give feedback.
“I am looking forward to hearing from our community and combining community ideas with how the library is currently being used while also thinking about the future of libraries,” said Wentworth Branch Manager Stacy Lenarz in our interview earlier this year.
When: Tuesday, July 30, 2024 from 4-7 p.m. in the large meeting room (the room to the right of the entrance) at Wentworth Library.
What: The renovation is more of a refresh and will focus on interior changes including furniture, fixtures, equipment, accessibility improvements, system upgrades, and more. There won’t be any expansion or exterior work, but you can visit recent renovation projects such as Galaxie and Pleasant Hill or the new Kaposia Library to see the potential improvements.
Timeline: The design process is happening now, with a schematic design to be approved by the Dakota County Board of Commissioners later this year. Construction will happen in 2025.
Feedback: In addition to the open house, information and designs will be available in the Wentworth Library for review and comment from July 26 through August 13. There will be a comment box to give input. Info will also be available online where comments can be submitted via email.
Closure: Unfortunately, Wentworth Library will need to be closed for several months during the renovation. Library staff are working on a temporary location where holds could be picked up, though it will depend on the length of the closure and might end up being Kaposia Library in South St. Paul.
Cost: The county has budgeted $6.7 million for the renovation.
Context: Originally opened in 1992, Wentworth Library was last renovated in 2008. This refresh is part of Dakota County’s ongoing capital improvement plan to review and renovate all buildings as budget allows.
More input: You can also give feedback on Dakota County Library’s strategic plan. Take the survey by Friday, July 26.
July 26, 2024 Update: Proposed Design
The design boards with the proposed renovation plans and a comment box are now viewable in Wentworth Library. There are significant changes, but the need for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system updates likely precludes even larger changes (like adding a drive-up book drop off or moving the entrance closer to the parking lot).
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