New County Library Opens Its Doors To Readers
Residents Say It's Bigger And Better Than Ever
FOREST LAKE - As the seven children cut their way through a paper chain at the entrance to the new Hardwood Creek Library, a cheer went up and visitors moved forward into the bright interior of the brand-new facility.
The occasion was the grand opening of the Hardwood Creek Library and the Washington County Service Center, just west of Highway 61 north of Hugo, and residents were eager to get a look inside their new library, which has been under construction for over a year.
Photo by Deb Barnes
The paper chain ribbon was formed of 110 links, decorated by young readers at the former library's children's section in Forest Lake City Hall.
Bringing libraries and government services closer to people has long been a vision of County Commissioner Dennis Hegberg.
And on Saturday, November 3, he saw that hope become reality.
"It wasn't too long ago that the idea of putting all these facilities together in one place was just a dream," he told the assembled officials and members of the public at the grand opening.
He spoke also about the health benefi ts of having the service center and library brought together in one location, close to the residents of northern Washington County, and on the Hardwood Creek trail running between Hugo and Forest Lake.
"So much of our health benefits today are spent because we don't keep in shape. Our next generation is going to die younger than us. Today, we are going to have the connectivity of this trail, which will hopefully be used by the youth and by us so we can hopefully reduce our health costs."
Hugo Mayor Fran Miron was one of seven dignitaries to cut the offi cial ribbon. During his remarks, he said: "This is a quality of life that we all talk about and dream of for our children. We are excited about the location of the facility and that it's bringing our communities closer together."
The Service Center started operating in September and the library opened to the public a couple of days prior to the grand opening to allow staff to test out the new location and familiarize themselves with the layout and technology.
Not that it all went according to plan on Nov. 3, however. It was with a wry smile that Washington County Administrator James Schug was forced to announce, "Apparently the technology is taking the morning off ." By the time most people left , however, the computers were back in operation and the self-checkout desks were working.
And anyway, all anyone was talking about that morning was the magnifi cent new building they were being given the opportunity to explore - and return to, again and again.
"People knew it was going to be bigger and diff erent, but I was very much aware that when they walked through the door they were going to be surprised - in a good way," said library manager Amy Worwa.
"People have been coming through the door and saying, 'Am I really in Forest Lake?' I think it's something the community deserves."
She added: "One girl told me she liked the bean bags in the children's section. Other people have been telling me they love all the computers and the wireless internet. We had been open for one hour when the first person plugged in their laptop.
"And a few hours after we opened, we had a group of teenagers sitting around a table with their study books open, looking so comfortable. That's what we really want."
A long, gently inclined walkway runs along almost the entire length of the library, finishing on a mezzanine level in the far corner. Walking along the walkway gives visitors a great view of the building, down into the fun, kidfriendly children's section, and out over the teen, adult fiction and periodicals sections.
One feature being enjoyed by visitors on opening day was the blazing fire in the fireplace, by the magazines and newspapers. It seemed to provide welcome relief from the chilly early morning temperatures outside and readers were relaxing next to it in comfy armchairs with a book or publication of their choice.
Forest Lake resident Jim Morehead was impressed. He said: "I like the way it's lit up with natural light - it's very nice."
His seven-year-old son, Marcus, went to work checking out the children's section, making sure the library was stocked with his favorite books - "The Big Green Monster" and "Curious George" (it was). "It's good," he said. "I like reading."
The children's section is full of little treasures to delight kids and their parents alike.
From magnetic letters which stick to the support beams, allowing youngsters to spell out words they are learning, to lights in the shape of airplanes, it is a truly child-friendly place to be.
One visitor commented to children's librarian Nancy Smith that the opening day was bound to be a noisy one, especially in the children's department.
"Oh, it probably won't ever be quiet," she replied. "The whole shift in thinking is that people work together. You will see group study tables and group study rooms.
"It's just a whole diff erent experience now to how it was when I was young, and that's OK."
In addition to the books, CDs, DVDs and videos visitors might expect to fi nd, children can take part in K-3 read aloud sessions, aimed to get children from kindergarten through third grade interested in reading and to borrow the books they hear being read.
There are also baby story-telling times, for young ones from birth to two.
And that's not even to mention the scavenger hunt and puppet story time scheduled for this month alone.
The children's section is already well-stocked, but later this month it will see a delivery of 2,000 additional books.
- Anoka County library card holders may use the Hardwood Creek Library simply by registering their library card at the front desk.
Library Hours
The Hardwood Creek Library is open:
Mon.-Thurs.: 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Fri.: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sat.: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sun.: 1 p.m.-5 p.m.