18 October 2023
Maplewood library is preparing to reopen its doors next month after closing nearly a year ago for renovations.
The remodeled library will open on Nov. 4 with new furniture, improved lighting, spaces designed for kids and teenagers, and more study and meeting spaces. Additionally, the project also addressed problems impacting library visitors such as acoustics and sightlines, as well as better use of the building’s main lobby.
The library’s return box has been operating out of a temporary location in Maplewood Mall since January, and book requests have been routed to other local libraries, according to Ramsey County Library.
The renovation project began in 2018 with community engagement on how best to reconfigure the Maplewood library. According to officials, aside from necessary upgrades due to “wear and tear,” the project was necessary to modernize the 16-year-old library.
Now, the building’s 144,000 annual visitors will have a new space in the community to find a new book, study or relax.
“The building has been reimagined and the spaces within have been designed to create a more inclusive, welcoming and equitable environment that is responsive to racially and ethnically diverse communities,” library officials wrote in a statement.
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