Imagine...
A magnificent library building in the heart of St. Cloud serving all of Central Minnesota with state-of-the-art technology, abundant books and materials, and generous gathering and programming space to bring people together and connect them to new ideas.
The Good News
The City of St. Cloud is currently constructing a public library building scheduled to open in July 2008. This new facility will host both the St. Cloud Public Library as well as the distribution and administrative centers of the Great River Regional Library system.
Here are a few features of this new cornerstone for community learning:
- Expanded Children's Library with adjoining program rooms and interactive play areas
- Computer lab to facilitate individual and group learning
- Fully-equipped public meeting rooms that double current capacity
- On-site free parking
The Project
The City of St. Cloud, with a major contribution from a private donor, purchased the land for the building site. The 118,000 square-foot, $30-million building is being financed through a regional sales tax levy approved by voters in 2004. Total project costs will be approximately $36 million, including land, building, equipment, and services.
Groundbreaking occurred in November 2006, and building construction began in January 2007. Residents and visitors can now view the progress and anticipate this prominent, first-class addition to St. Cloud.
The library fundraising "Library Plus You" goal encompasses the resources necessary for the facility to achieve its true potential for the benefit of all Central Minnesota. Local organizations, including the City of St. Cloud, St. Cloud Public Library Board of Trustees, and Great River Regional Library, are working cooperatively to ensure this new cornerstone for learning has the capacity to respond to the dynamic growth of the St. Cloud area.
The Fundraising Campaign
This new library will be a gathering place, a learning landscape, and a symbol of the community's commitment to enriching the lives of its citizens. One of our goals is to improve the service we already provide to maintain our responsibility to be a gateway to information.
Additional private funding is essential to maintain and enhance library services. These include:
- Customized Grand Opening collection -- 40,000 additional books and materials to complement the 100% increase in shelving and display.
- Automated materials handling system -- to accelerate the processing of circulated items, projected to increase 50 percent by 2009
- Commissioned public art -- from artistic equipment screens to sculptural bike racks and Children's Library window art
- Online learning stations -- 3 times as many public Internet computers
- Self-checkout stations - for patrons who want to check out their materials themselves and be on their way much faster
- Wireless Internet service -- to welcome wireless users and open traditional online stations to more users
- Enhanced assistive technology -- needed to live, learn, work, and play by individuals who are vision and hearing impaired
- Learning Center - with dedicated computers and language software for newer Americans to learn and practice English skills
- Teen Place -- with a targeted collection and computer zone and 6 study rooms
How You Can Help
The Library Plus You campaign is seeking private donations to better fill the new library's expanding shelf space with books, and to better equip it with additional state-of-the-art techology. To donate click here.
