75. Washington County, Oakdale

A very nice library. From my notes: four restrooms, all unisex, each labeled with symbols for male, female, handicap, and each with a urinal (I assume). Vaulted roof looks nice. J and Y fiction shelved together; I haven't noticed that before. They must be quite careful about which Y titles they carry! Lots of teen book reviews from the summer reading program were posted. Favorite: display of pictures from Critter Camp. Kids bring a stuffed animal to the library and leave it for a week. Children's librarian poses the animals in various camping scenes. Kids come back after a week and get the animal back, along with camp pictures and the animals "award" for some camp-related "skill." I saw this at another branch, but this is the first time I saw the resulting pictures. Very cute, and kids must love it. And it takes a very special librarian to pull this off. I hope he/she has volunteers to help! 

This area is not as rural as it was until recently, but I like the architectural details on the roof that evoke midwestern barns.

8/1/12, car

74. Washington County, Marine Express

Folks in Marine, MN, can use the express station to get books from anywhere in Washington County. They also have a town library, started in 2012. To those who doubt the need for libraries: patrons want them and will do a lot to have them.

8/1/12, car

73. Washington County, Hugo Express

This is outside the Hugo City Hall and available 24/7/365. Works like the other express libraries: request material and ask to pick it up here; wait for the email saying it's ready; enter the last four numbers of your card and the right door pops open. A friend who has lived in Hugo for a long time now didn't know this existed! [Other places, it's sometimes been difficult to get directions to "the library."]

8/1/12, car

72. Washington County, Bayport

I counted three fireplaces. The interior is interesting, with a combination of fancy (in the reading room to the left of the door) and rustic (log walls and posts in the adult stacks). That big curved window on the right holds padded window seats alternating with bins and shelves of picture books, and there are more picture books behind it, in the J area. The shelves in the J area are fanned, as at Farmington; nice. I like seeing maps displayed on the walls, as I believe people are not sufficiently aware of geography. First branch I've visited that does NOT have self-check-out. Startling at first, then nice: the human touch.

8/1/12, car

34. City Library, Stillwater, MN

Made my second trip here today to return books, take a picture (camera didn't work the first time) and resolve an issue--see the picture from Newport Express. Library has, among other things, a parking garage and a gorgeous puppet theatre. I thought the puppet theatre looked old, but a librarian says it is not. I got permission to take a picture of it, my only "interior" picture in this project.

I believe this is a Carnegie library, or was originally. And I think a picture from the other side would do it more justice.

CORRECTION: Stillwater is IN Washington County, but not OF Washington County Library System. It is a town library.

7/7/2012, car (can be reached by bus, but the schedule is difficult)

33. Washington County, Newport Express

This is "my" locker at the town building that houses this express location. It's a neat concept; I requested an item and asked to pick it up in Newport. Thursday evening I got an email saying that it would be available from 6 am Friday to 4 pm Monday. I drove down to get it, put in the last 4 digits of my library card on the keypad, and the locker popped open. Great system--except that wasn't the item I requested! Could happen to anyone, and it was sorted out quickly.

7/6/2012

7. Washington County, Woodbury Library

Revisited on 4/27/13.

I went here first to hear Alexander McCall-Smith speak (a real hoot), then returned another time as part of the Washington County "loop." Have to love a library that shares a building with an indoor park and an ice cream shop. Nice people. Librarians here were wearing bright blue Bookawocky T-shirts--I want one!  Woodbury had an adult summer reading program that involved a bingo-type card. Thanks to one item on that card, I read a book published in my birth year, "Sold to the Ladies." Had to get it from the Minneapolis off-site storage, and it was great fun to read; thanks, Woodbury! My prize was a coupon for a book on their "books for sale" shelf. I hope I can find it the card again--it will be an excuse for a book-and-ice cream trip one of these days.

Yes, great library, too--but no notes! Sorry.

 6/23/2012, car

6. Washington County, Cottage Grove Library

Revisited; see post for 5/23/2013.

As I go through these early pictures, I very much regret that I wasn't taking notes. This is a very handsome, newer building--but I have no notes about the interior. I hope someone will add some comments.

6/23/2012, car

5. Washington County, Lakeland Library

This was my first experience with a storefront library. It looked like a very nice collection in a small space. Every bit of space was used well.

I think an antique shop and a deli are delightful companions for a library!

6/23/2012, car

4. Washington County, Wildwood Library in Mahtomedi

 Look at those rounded windows--I remember lots of natural light. Without notes, I'm afraid I don't remember much else. Help me out, someone! I walked to the center of town to the farmer's market and got some great bread from Great Harvest.

6/23/2012 car

2. Washington County, Forest Lake Library

This is a beautiful facility, inside and out. It fooled me with a small lobby; the lobby you enter is for the library and for county offices. Once I entered the library itself, it seemed to go on forever. No notebook yet, so skimpy details. I remember walking the length of the library, then making sort of a U-turn into the children's area. Lots of light from big windows.

http://www.co.washington.mn.us/info_for_residents/library/hours_and_locations/hardwood_creek_branch_forest_lake_2012/