ND North News

The Children’s Library at the Minot Public Library will be closed to the public beginning July 31 as part of a remodeling project.

During the first week of the closure, Library staff will move more than 40,000 items and bookshelves. Several small children’s collections will be available in the lobby that week and can be checked out at the adult circulation desk.

Beginning Aug. 7, the demolition and construction phases of the project will begin. The Children’s Library will be completely overhauled, including new paint, carpet, woodwork, and other décor changes that will transform the space into a forest of imagination. There will also be a custom play area for patrons.

“There are five main components to early literacy, including writing, singing, talking, and reading. But the other one is playing,” Children’s Librarian Randi Monley said. “At the Minot Public Library, we feel like we have great opportunities for the other four, but we needed a space dedicated to playing. When kids play with each other, they’re using and learning different words and they learn how to create.”

The project consists of two parts. The first phase will remodel the interior of the Children’s Library and is expected to be completed by Oct. 27. The second phase involves the entrance to the Children’s Library, with an expected completion date of Nov. 27. After the first phase is completed, the Children’s Library will be open, but patrons will need to enter through the southwest entrance.

“To a child, a library is a place to imagine, to create, and find a love of reading. That drives our choices in the new design elements on this project,” Monley said.

During the project, access to the meeting rooms will be restricted to the southwest entrance and the second floor elevator. There will no longer be a foyer art display during the project. Children’s Summer Reading reward can be picked up at the adult circulation desk from July 31 to Aug. 5, which is the last day to redeem tokens and pick up book prizes.

At least half of the project’s approximately $388,000 cost came from grants and donations from the Glenn Perkins Foundation, Minot Area Community Foundation, Friends of the Minot Public Library, Minot Optimist Club, Magic City Lions, Junior Golf Association, Hess Force, SRT, Enbridge, Verendrye Electric, Basin Electric, Scheel’s, and private donations.

“We’ve been actively working on this project for about two years. I really wanted to find donations for as much funding as possible, and at least 50 percent is coming from donations and grants,” Monley said. “Over the last two budget cycles, we put money aside for this project. We’re very excited for this remodel to begin. We’re going to have an amazing final product.”

A grand re-opening will be held when the project is complete, Monley said.

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