East Lake Library celebrated its grand re-opening

A rendition of the New East Lake Library, located at 2727 E. Lake St., Mpls., just east of Minnehaha Avenue and withing walking distance of the Hiawatha (Mindtown stop) LRT.

The grand reopening of the fully renovated and expanded East Lake Library was held Saturday, March 3, beginning at 12:30 p.m., with an outdoor gathering and ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. It was the public's first opportunity to become reacquainted with the transformed library. A full schedule of events was held to introduce the community to its "new" library will include music, talks by the architects and artists, food and more.

The library is located at 2727 East Lake Street, just east of Minnehaha Avenue, within walking distance of the Hiawatha LRT Line, and near the Midtown Greenway. The library's hours will be Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Friday,Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., consistent with all other community libraries in Minneapolis.

The changes to the East Lake Library are noticeable from the street, starting with an open and welcoming entrance with a wall of windows overlooking Lake Street, as well as a new entrance from the parking lot and convenient outdoor book drop. Library users will enjoy the new exterior lighting, landscaping and a rain garden on the building's east side that tures an engaging, large-scale granite and steel sculpture designed by local artist Zoran Mojsilov.

Community members will be able to take advantage of an expanded array of programs and services at the library: New parents can learn the best ways to read to their young children while families enjoy family story hour. Teens will get help with homework and, along with younger children, enjoy movies on holiday breaks. There will be a monthly Discover Saturday with special hands-on programs for younger children. The library will host Spanish-language book clubs for adults and teens and there will be a Spanish- and Somali-speaking staff to assist people with how to use the library.

"The East Lake Library will be serving a lively community where small businesses serve with thriving neighborhoods," said Anita Duckor, Minneapolis Public Library Board president. "We will be offering new programs that meet the needs of this community, from training on how to start a small business to Spanish-language book clubs to help with homework for Somali-speaking library users."

Features include:
•A market-place style entry
•A collection of more than 57,000 books, magazines, videos, DVDs, CDs, audio books and World Language materials, as well as theme-oriented collections reflecting the needs and interests of the diverse East Lake Street
•85+ places to sit, including table and counter seating and comfortable chairs
•30+ public computers with wireless capability
•Self-service express checkout and express pickup of reserves
•Play areas designed for toddlers, youngsters and families, including an early literacy corner and a story time station
•Teen Zone, an expanded space for teens to hang out, read, use Tutor.com online or get in-person assistance from a Homework Helper tutor
•A Business and Career center that will offer programs for teens and adults to gain skills in preparing for jobs, starting a small business, resume writing and more.
•Quiet areas with comfortable seating
•A new service desk designed to accommodate more effective service
•A new community room

Prior to starting the renovation, a neighborhood advisory committee met for a year to advise library staff on the needs of the community. East Lake renovation funding was a community affair with the Longfellow Community Council contributing $50,000 to the project. Additional funds for the project were provided by the McKnight Foundation, the City of Minneapolis Public Works, the City of Minneapolis Art in Public Places program, a state Department of Education accessibility grant, and library referendum funds. The total cost of the renovation was $4.47 million. KKE Architects was responsible for the design of the renovated facility; Lund Martin Construction, Inc. did the construction.

The East Lake Library is the second Minneapolis Public Library to reopen its doors this year. The North Regional Library on Lowry Avenue in North Minneapolis reopened Jan.