Nokomis Library

Nokomis Library
The front of the library
Former namesNokomis Community Library
General information
TypeBranch library
Location5100 34th Ave S.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Coordinates44°54′37.89″N 93°13′23.69″W / 44.9105250°N 93.2232472°W / 44.9105250; -93.2232472
Construction started1967
Completed1968
Renovated2009–2011
Cost$530,000
Renovation cost$7 million
OwnerHennepin County Library System
Technical details
Floor count2
Floor area17,340 square feet (1,611 m2)
Design and construction
ArchitectBuetow and Associates, Inc.
Renovating team
ArchitectKKE Architects
Renovating firmEbert, Inc.
Other information
Parking17,700-square-foot (1,644 m2) surface lot

Nokomis Library is a library built for the Nokomis East area of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The library was opened in 1968, as a replacement for the nearby Longfellow Community Library. The library was too popular for its size in 1999, the library got a renovation from 2009 to 2011. The library contains 37 computers, a public meeting room, and a Spanish-language collection of materials.

In 2008, 53% of library users were adults and 47% were children, 240,334 items were checked out from the library.

The locals help keep the library running.

History

A drawing from outside of the library from 1968

At the time it was built, Nokomis was the first library added to the Minneapolis Public Library system in over 35 years; the previous library was the Linden Hills Community Library, which was completed in 1931. It was built to replace the Longfellow Community Library. The library was designed after a tepee from the poem The Song of Hiawatha. Additionally, the library was named after Nokomis in the poem, the breanch is the only library to be named after a fictional character. The library has a meeting room and a relaxing area. The library was used with the same limestone as the Stone Arch Bridge. The library opened in September 1968 and had twice the users as the old Longfellow branch.

In 2004, Minneapolis Public Library had budget cuts making the library loose its opening on Saturday. The local community helped fund the library to keep it opened on Saturday. In mid-2005, funds were brought back to keeping the library opened.

Renovation

A one-story sandstone building rests against green foliage and a white sky.
The library in 2018
A one-story sandstone building with a gently sloping roof sits behind a green lawn and some dense trees.
The library in 2008 before being expanded

In 2007, a $7 million was given to improve Nokomis Library and Northeast Community Library. The old building was closed after September 12, 2009, and was expected to reopen sometime in the fall of the next year. During the construction, people could use nearby libraries including East Lake, Roosevelt, Washburn, and Southdale.

The library was expanded by 4,300 square feet (399 m2) to a total size of 17,340 square feet (1,611 m2). A new system that automatically adjusts the lighting based on the amount of brightness entering the library. The carpets were made from recycled fibers. A water system and plants were put on the outside of the building. The library used the same materials for the stone making the difference between the old and new walls nearly the same. The children and teen sections were expanded and themed. New books, DVDs, and CDs were purchased to update the library. The library reopened on April 30, 2011, after being closed for 19 months.

Wind and Water Chime

A dull brown stabile hangs from a white sloped ceiling
A shiny gold stabile hangs from a hexagonal hole in a beige ceiling
Wind and Water Chime in 2008 before renovation (left) Wind and Water Chime after the expansion (right)

Nokomis has an art piece called Wind and Water Chime which hangs above a fountain. Wind and Water Chime has of 4,000 pieces. It was designed after Minnehaha Falls, which was also in The Song of Hiawatha.

After the renovation of the library, $52,000 were spent to clean the wind and water chime to return it to its original appearance. It now hangs near the entrance on the library's west side in an adult reading area.

Services

The library is open from Monday to Saturday. The library has 37 computers. 24 computers were added in the expansion. The library also has a free Wi-Fi network. The building has a public meeting room that can fit 36 people. A teen gaming group meets every week in the meeting room.

References

  1. ↑ Van Ellis, Mara (April 26, 2011). "Nokomis Library set to reopen". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on February 20, 2017. Retrieved February 19, 2017 – via HighBeam Research.
  2. ↑ Lenroot-Ernt, Lois (June 2009). "Nokomis Library Renovation Fact Sheet: Summer 2009" (PDF). Hennepin County Library. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 2, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Nokomis Library reopens". Southside Pride. April 2011. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 Benidt 1984.
  5. 1 2 3 "Nokomis". Minneapolis Public Library. July 27, 2006. Archived from the original on February 17, 2007. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Nokomis Community Library - Minneapolis, Minnesota". EducationDepartment.org. 2008. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2008.
  7. ↑ Moore, Janet; Walsh, Paul (July 12, 2013). "Mankato Kasota Stone, provider of distinctive limestone since late 1800s, announces closure". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on February 19, 2017. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Nokomis". Minneapolis Public Library. July 27, 2006. Archived from the original on February 17, 2007. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  9. ↑ Brandt, Steve (December 12, 2007). "Minneapolis' 2008 budget relies on increase in taxes, fees". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on February 19, 2017. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  10. 1 2 "Nokomis Library to close in mid-September as preparations begin for renovation project" (PDF). Longfellow/Nokomis Messenger. August 2009. p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 7, 2010. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  11. 1 2 Kelley, Michael (May 12, 2011). "Library Construction Update: New and Renovated Buildings". Library Journal. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  12. 1 2 MinnPost staff (April 26, 2011). "Bigger, better, more beautiful: Renovated Nokomis library reopens on April 30". MinnPost. Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Nokomis". Minneapolis Public Library. July 27, 2006. Archived from the original on February 17, 2007. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  14. ↑ Garbis, Sarah (June 18, 2013). "One Percent for Art: Nokomis Library". Hennepin County Library. Archived from the original on January 8, 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  15. ↑ Conley, Pat (September 13, 2013). "Policy Advisory Council Members Report" (PDF). Minitex. University of Minnesota. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Nokomis Library". Hennepin County Library. 2015. Archived from the original on January 3, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  17. 1 2 "Nokomis Library". Hennepin County Library. 2013. Archived from the original on December 26, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Meeting Room". Hennepin County Library. 2017. Archived from the original on July 31, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  19. ↑ Boogren, Jill (April 27, 2014). "Local libraries bustle in new technology era". Longfellow/Nokomis Messenger. Archived from the original on April 29, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2014.