County approves 2022-2026 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 ...

County to include Park Grove Library renovation in 2022 bond

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...

Additional time allows for Park Grove Library location discussions

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 ...

Existing libraries offer inspiration for future of Park Grove Library

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...

Nearly 90 people attend first community engagement meeting

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...

Community engagement events scheduled for Park Grove Library

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...

Architecture firm selected for Park Grove Library project

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. 

Target Completion Date: Fall 2020

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...

Target Completion Date: Summer 2018

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...

County to Celebrate First Birthday of Wildwood Library

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....

Change the world with our Teen Social Activism series

What comes to mind when you think of activism and activists? For many, the idea of activist brings to mind leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and Banksy. 

However, there's a growing movement of teen activists &nd...

Ways to Celebrate National Library Week!

We’re excited to celebrate National Library Week, April 3 to April 9! This annual event is a chance to recognize the important role libraries play in their communities.

This year’s theme is Connect with Your Library. In the words of thi...

Great books to celebrate Women's History Month

Each year in March we celebrate Women's History Month! While the official celebration looks at the vital role women have played in American history, we think it's a great time to also look further and celebrate women's history a...

Great books to celebrate 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. 

Curious about the history of Black History Month? NPR has got you cov...

Jazz and Friends National Day of School and Community Readings

Join us for books, discussion, and more! Our readings and resources are in partnership with Welcoming School’s Jazz & Friends National Day of School and Community Readings in support of transgender and nonbinary youth in our community.&n...

Jazz and Friends: Reading Discussion Questions

Join us for books, discussion, and more! Our readings and resources are in partnership with Welcoming School’s Jazz & Friends National Day of School and Community Readings in support of transgender and nonbinary youth in our community.&n...

Jazz and Friends: Legal Information for Families

Join us for books, discussion, and more! Our readings and resources are in partnership with Welcoming School’s Jazz & Friends National Day of School and Community Readings in support of transgender and nonbinary youth in our community.&n...

Jazz and Friends: Recommended Videos for Kids

Join us for books, discussion, and more! Our readings and resources are in partnership with Welcoming School’s Jazz & Friends National Day of School and Community Readings in support of transgender and nonbinary youth in our community. 

In thi...

Jazz and Friends: Additional Resources on Gender Identity

Join us for books, discussion, and more! Our readings and resources are in partnership with Welcoming School’s Jazz & Friends National Day of School and Community Readings in support of transgender and nonbinary youth in our community.&n...

Top checkouts and trending titles of 2021

The end of 2021 is near, and with it comes the chance to reflect back on a year of reading. We've tallied the checkouts and looked through reading trends of the year to present some of the best and most popular titles of the year. Read on to see ...

Expanded digital access to newspapers!

Library users now have remote access to the St. Paul Pioneer Press and Minneapolis Star Tribune with your library card! Previously, access to current issues of these newspapers through an online databases was only available on in-library computers.

We&...

5 Great Reasons to Get a Library Card

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.

Anyone who lives (or pays prop...

Get more for free with your library card!

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...

Books to Celebrate Pride Month!

June is Pride Month, an annual celebration of LGBTQ+ Americans. Pride Month is celebrated each June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, and has grown to include celebrations across the country – including here in the Twin Cities.&...