County Board Considers Replacing 2 Libraries

Officials say recent plans to replace two existing Washington County libraries and make an upgrade to a third speak to the ongoing value of libraries to communities and county residents.

Earlier this year, the county board adopted a new library strategic plan. One of the goals emerging out of this planning process was to improve library facilities. Implementation strategies called for updating existing space and planning for new facilities and reworking current space to meet evolving community needs.

Board mid-July discussions highlighted how maintaining buildings the county already owns is a high priority. Recommendations presented to the County Board included replacing Wildwood and Park Grove libraries, each in need of major structural repairs.

A library facilities assessment presented to the board in March revealed that Wildwood library will require more than $1.5 million and Park Grove will require more than $2.3 million in maintenance in the coming years. The projected expense levels prompted commissioners to focus on replacement of these libraries, rather than continuing to invest in expensive repairs and upgrades.

In addition to these facility replacement plans, the county board signaled a clear intent to develop a funding plan for maintenance needs of the remainder of the county’s libraries to assure those facilities are also providing optimal service for the length of their useful life.

Another recommendation called for finding a new space for Valley Library, which is housed in a shopping mall on St. Croix Trail in Lakeland. The rented space is challenged by increasing use and is in need of $127,000 in upgrades to provide adequate service levels.

Recognition was also given to the fact that the county continues to grow in population, and monitoring of the changing needs and the use trends of residents will be important to assure adequate levels of service delivery countywide.

The Washington County Library has six branches, Hardwood Creek in Forest Lake, Oakdale Library, Park Grove in Cottage Grove, R.H. Stafford in Woodbury, Wildwood in Mahtomedi, and Valley Library in Lakeland.

The county also provides access to library materials through secure lockers in Hugo, Marine on St. Croix, and Newport. Associate libraries in Bayport and Stillwater also serve county residents.

The above information was provided by Washington County.