New Library at St. Michael City Center is Packing In Patrons

If you build it, they will come. 

And how. 

In a typical community with a new library, Great River Regional Library System (GRRL) has seen a 30 percent increase of usage. But St. Michael-Albertville has proved to be not so typical. Within the first two weeks of opening the new library, GRRL reported a 50 percent increase.

"My favorite part is seeing their faces light up when they walk in for the very first time," Marla Scherber, librarian at the St. Michael facility, said.

The new St. Michael-Albertville-Hanover library has been a project 10 years in the making. The community was quickly outgrowing the space in Colonial Mall, Scherber, the librarian for the past five years, said. There were needs for more computers, more space.

"A more modern look, too," she said.

There had been discussion about expanding the library into the retail location between the library and Subway awhile back. Those talks fizzled, and in the end, the staff decided to wait it out in the current location. GRRL then funded a remodel in 2005 so that the library would be up to ADA standards and for safety reasons.

For the last 10 years, the City of St. Michael has been setting money aside to fund the building project for the new city hall and it made sense to have the city hall, senior center and library all share a building to save on parking, lobby, meeting room and bathroom expenses.

The cities of Albertville and Hanover also committed to help fund the new library and then Marc Weigle, Community Development Director for St. Michael looked into and applied for a $400,000 grant for the library and got it. The $400,000 grant was from the Minnesota Department of Education and could only be used for the library.

In addition to the other funds, the library has money from GRRL, who helps pay for the library costs such as staff, materials and other expenses.

The new library is three times the size of the old library without including the conference and meeting room spaces. There are now six public use computers and the Friends of the Library donated $3,000 of new books for the grand opening.

The new library is noticeably different in style as well. The ceilings are high and open. Light shines in from windows surrounding almost the entire library. The children's area is friendly and inviting with the use of bright colors, cozy nooks and even some bug lights.

Kelly Tufto, a St. Michael resident and mom of two, shared that visiting the new facilty is so much more welcoming than the old library.

"In the past, my daughter would grab her books, head to the counter to check out and get out of there. Now we can sit and read our books before we even leave," she said.

The entire library has tables and chairs throughout for reading or studying, there are conference rooms available for reservation to meet with a group, such as a book club or Bible study.

IF YOU GO:

Hours: Monday 10-8, Tuesday 12-6, Wednesday 10-8, Thursday 2-8, Friday 12-5, Saturday 10-1

Children's Story time on Wednesdays at 10am.

While the hours and staffing are staying the same Ms. Scherber reminded me that she is always in need of volunteers. If you are interested, stop in the library and ask for her.