Planning for a New Library in Excelsior

The process for building a new public library for Excelsior was started four or five years ago, according to Hennepin County Commissioner Jan Callison.

“Getting the County Board to approve it was a milestone,” said Callison at the most recent library advisory committee meeting held on September 21 at the in Shorewood.

The first community meetings about the new library began late in 2010. As plans progressed, a library advisory committee was created and began meeting in July 2011. The committee, which includes Mayor Nick Ruehl, has provided input on such topics as building style preferences and what the library means to Excelsior and the surrounding communities.

Committee members completed a survey in which they were shown different buildings with a variety of architectural styles. Although survey results brought in a range of responses, there was a clear preference for a library design that blended traditional and modern architecture. Members said they wanted a landmark civic building that still fit in with the style of the surrounding buildings.

Building plans are not without controversy, however. The location of the new library is slated for a lot on Water Street, between Third Street and George Street. The county is grappling with whether or not the front door should face Water Street. At issue is the location of the book drop, staffing logistics and library space.

“It’s going to be a small building,” said Callison, noting that it will be larger than the current library. “If we had the money, we would build it bigger.”

Committee members feel it would be ideal to have a book drop at a location where people can simply drive up, return the book and leave, which would most likely be located at the front door. Having a door that opens to Water Street would possibly necessitate the need for a second door at the rear of the building—a solution that may not be financially feasible.

“Budgets are not increasing, they're decreasing,” said Kelli Koob of the Hennepin County Library Capital Projects Office.

As though to reinforce that fact, Callison later announced that the Hennepin County administrator will recommend that construction of the new library be pushed to 2013.

Committee members were nearly unanimous in their support for a front door that opens to Water Street. They argued that not only do other buildings have entrances on Water Street, but it would also give the library a sort of grand entrance.

One member said that he was “baffled” as to why a solution could not be found. “There’s always a solution,” he said, adding that perhaps what was needed was “someone with creativity.”

In the face of such opposition, Koob promised that staff would explore all the options and try to work through the challenges. Callison echoed the same assurance.

The next library advisory committee meetings will be held in January and February, with exact dates yet to be determined. Meetings are open to the public. In the meantime, the county will finalize a contract with the architect, examine design options and eventually narrow options down to one to three of the best ones.

There may be a long road ahead before Excelsior gets a new library, but one committee member added some perspective.

“This library is really about the next generation,” he said.