News Flash

Posted on: February 24, 2022

County approves 2022-2026 Capital Improvement Plan

cover of 2022-2025 capital improvement plan

Park Grove Library was built at its current location on Hemingway Avenue in Cottage Grove in 1984. Over the past several years, Washington County has worked with multiple departments, local community members, and the City of Cottage Grove to plan for the ...

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Building for the Future: Park Grove Library
Posted on: October 18, 2019

County to include Park Grove Library renovation in 2022 bond

capital improvement plan cover

Washington County has planned for a $5 to $6 million renovation for the existing Park Grove Library facility in the most recent Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

The Board of Commissioners held a workshop to review a draft of the 2020-2024 CIP on Tuesday, Oc...

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Building for the Future: Park Grove Library
Posted on: December 13, 2018

Additional time allows for Park Grove Library location discussions

Park Grove Library

The Washington County Board of Commissioners adopted the final 2019 – 2023 Capital Improvement Plan at their meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 11, which removed the Park Grove Library building project from the list of projects slated for funding in 2019. The move ...

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Building for the Future: Park Grove Library
Posted on: May 8, 2018

Existing libraries offer inspiration for future of Park Grove Library

park grove library images to review

Nearly 70 people attended the second community engagement meeting for the Park Grove Library building project on Monday, April 16. 

Jennifer McMaster of HGA Architects gave a brief presentation at the start of the event, highlighting some of the m...

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Building for the Future: Park Grove Library
Posted on: March 26, 2018

Nearly 90 people attend first community engagement meeting

PG Meeting 1-145

More than 90 people visited Park Grove Library on Tuesday, March 20 to offer their ideas about how to building a new library of the future on the site. At the open house event, visitors were invited to write down answers to five questions on posters aroun...

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Building for the Future: Park Grove Library
Posted on: February 1, 2018

Community engagement events scheduled for Park Grove Library

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Residents and patrons are invited to contribute their thoughts and opinions through a series of community meetings that will be conducted in early 2018. 

The community engagement events are scheduled:

Tuesday, March 20, from 4 - 7 p.m. at Park Grov...

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Building for the Future: Park Grove Library
Posted on: January 1, 2018

Architecture firm selected for Park Grove Library project

HGA-145

The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a contract with Hammel, Green, and Abrahamson, Inc. to design a new building for Park Grove Library in Cottage Grove. 

Building for the Future: Park Grove Library
Posted on: January 1, 2018

Target Completion Date: Fall 2020

Park Grove Library - web

The Park Grove Library was built at its current location on Hemingway Avenue in Cottage Grove in 1984. When the building was evaluated by Washington County Public Works, it was estimated to need millions of dollars in future repairs, not including updates...

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Building for the Future: Park Grove Library

News Flash

Posted on: April 10, 2018

Target Completion Date: Summer 2018

Valley Branch - web

Valley Library has been in its current location in Lakeland for close to 30 years. The current location needs physical improvements for energy efficiency, accessibility, and to address general wear and tear of the building. The library space needs improve...

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Building for the Future: Valley Library

News Flash

Posted on: June 30, 2021

County to Celebrate First Birthday of Wildwood Library

Photo of the exterior of Wildwood Library lit up at dusk.

Washington County Library will host a first birthday celebration for Wildwood Library in Mahtomedi from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, at the library. 

The new Wildwood Library opened July 20, 2020, after being closed for 12 months of construction....

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Building for the Future: Wildwood Library

News Flash

Posted on: June 7, 2023

Great Books for Pride Month!

stack of books in all colors of the rainbow

Each June we celebrate Pride Month, an annual recognition of the creativity and contributions made by LGBTQ+ Americans. Pride Month is celebrated each June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, and has grown to include celebrations across the...

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Life at the Library
Posted on: May 24, 2023

Celebrate Summer at Your Library!

Washington County Library logo with Babe the Blue Ox and yellow alien in front of a starry backgroun

Our summer programs for kids, teens, and adults begin Wednesday, June 1 and continue through Saturday, August 19!  

Through the Summer Adventure program, kids ages 0-11 can read, learn, listen, and explore with an alien friend, Zorb. This flexible...

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Life at the Library
Posted on: May 2, 2023

Library and Community Resources for Mental Health Month

gray silhouette of a head with colored balls of paper coming out like ideas

Mental Health Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in our lives, and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. Mental health is essential for an individual's overall health, and the ...

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Life at the Library
Posted on: April 20, 2023

Help us Celebrate National Library Week!

National Library Week 2023 logo: There's More to the Story

We hope you'll join us in celebrating National Library Week from April 23 to 29! This annual celebration offers the chance to recognize the important work libraries do in their communities each day – something we hope you agree with!

The...

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Life at the Library
Posted on: November 22, 2022

Find Legal Help at the Law Library

main law library space 2

Did you know Washington County has a Law Library?

Located conveniently in the Washington County Courthouse in Stillwater, the Law Library offers various services for residents and attorneys. Law librarians can help provide legal information and reference, ...

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Life at the Library
Posted on: February 27, 2023

Great books to celebrate Women's History Month

illustrated women of many ethnicities with the phrase women's history month

Every March we recognize Women's History Month, an annual event that celebrates "the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields...

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Life at the Library
Posted on: February 1, 2023

Great books to celebrate Black History Month

Green and purple text on black that reads Black History Month

While it’s great to read diversely throughout the year, Black History Month is a particularly excellent time to pick up about Black history, experiences, and culture.

Black History Month was officially recognized beginning in 1976, but version ha...

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Life at the Library
Posted on: January 3, 2023

Create Something New in the New Year!

Three kids holding "ninja bread" people made from construction paper

Did you know that January is considered International Creativity Month? The beginning of the year is a great time to dive deeper into an existing hobby or try something totally new.

Your local library has a ton of great books and ebooks to help you on your...

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Life at the Library
Posted on: December 28, 2022

Meet Local Authors this Winter

Write in our midst

Write in our Midst is back! This annual series is part of our Winter Reads program for adults. Join Washington County Library for a series of virtual and in-person events to meet and hear from local Minnesota authors. Learn more about each event below, an...

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Life at the Library
Posted on: December 27, 2022

Our Top Checkouts of 2022!

Librarian looking at books with text, "Top Checkouts of 2022"

Curious what books were most popular at Washington County Library this year? Wonder what your friends and neighbors are reading? Take a peek at our top checkouts from the year to see if your favorites made the list!

Additional Info... Life at the Library
Posted on: November 4, 2022

Road to Decode Books for your Early Reader

Road to Decode Books stacked on a shelf.

Road to Decode books are now available at all Washington County Library branches! If you have an emerging reader or a child with a learning difference, the Road to Decode Collection may be a great resource. See what titles are available or visit your loca...

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Life at the Library
Posted on: October 4, 2022

Meet Young Adult Authors with Teen Lit Takeover

TeenLit Takeover Banner

Join popular authors like Neal Shusterman, Nic Stone, Ruta Sepetys, Adam Slivera, Cassandra Clare, and more during Teen Lit Takeover! Here are all the exciting events you can find at WashCoLib over the next 40 days: 

Virtual Author Visits

Karen M. ...

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Life at the Library
Posted on: August 22, 2022

Prepare for Back to School with Tools from Your Library!

computer notebook and backpack

Check out library materials, access research databases, and browse online tools to assist with class assignments in any subject.

Additional Info... Life at the Library
Posted on: September 2, 2022

September is Library Card Sign-up Month!

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This month we’re excited to celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month, an annual event where we join with the American Library Association to promote the benefits of a library card for students, families, and learners of all ages.

The theme this year is “Find y...

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Life at the Library
Posted on: September 17, 2019

Get more for free with your library card!

free things graphic

When you think about using your library card, it's natural to think about what you can check out by coming into the library – books, magazines, video games, and more. But your library card also grants you access to digital tools and col...

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Life at the Library