“I have a book about space!” said an excited 4-year-old Freddy Hoffman, who was checking out books Wednesday morning at the Wentworth Library with his mother, Lara Hoffman. The pair grabbed some books this week before the West St. Paul library shutters for the year as part of a planned renovatio n. Wentworth will close to the public on April 7, when construction crews will begin a months-long, $7.4 million renovation. The library is expected to reopen in spring 2026. In the meantime, a temporary location will open beginning April 14 at the Dakota County Northern Service Center, located at 1 Mendota Road W. in West St. Paul. “I really love sharing the experience that I had as a kid, where my mom would take me to the library. Being at the library is super nostalgic,” Hoffman said, while handing another book to Freddy. Library patrons like the Hoffmans have also been encouraged by Dakota County Library staff to stop by the Kaposia Library in South St. Paul or Inver Glen Library in Inver Grove Heights for a more full library experience in the meantime. The Hoffmans come to the library at least once a week, and said they will probably visit the South St. Paul location more often while the renovation at Wentworth continues. The Wentworth library is the fourth busiest in the Dakota County Library system, which has 10 different locations spread across the county. The 27,895-square-foot site will not expand as part of renovations, but new visitors will immediately feel the changes. The bathrooms in the doorway will be moved and renovated, as will the entryway service desk. Renovations will include creating new separate spaces for teens, a refreshed children’s area and new furniture spread throughout the building. The refresh will also update mechanical systems including heating, cooling and plumbing. Community meeting space An artist’s rendering shows renovations planned for the Wentworth Library in West St. Paul. Changes will include an expanded and moved service desk, bathrooms moved and renovated, new separate spaces for teens, a refreshed children’s area and new furniture throughout the building. The refresh will also update mechanical items, like heating, cooling and plumbing systems. The library was last renovated in 2008. (Courtesy of Dakota County) The library was last renovated in 2008. “We are really excited about the opportunity to have this library really reflect how the public uses libraries these days,” Dakota County library director Margaret Stone said. “People need these places to gather, develop community and get together.” The library has just under 60,000 items in its collection and that number will not decrease, library staff said. While for many the idea of a library is a quiet place with people whispering in hushed tones, that is a bit of an outdated concept, Stone said. The Wentworth location has emerged as an active community meeting space and, in response, Stone said the staff and architecture firm Leo A Daly were purposeful in rearranging the library for how patrons now use the different areas. Many customers come for a place to log in for remote work, enroll in classes, find work or update their resumes. Others use it as a gathering place. The new digs will also include areas and technology to better support virtual meetings. The plans also call for the creation of separate, quieter areas, like the popular glass wall that overlooks the River to River Greenway trail and a pond. That view will be unchanged, and plans call for the creation of a 10- to 12-person conference room in addition to a quiet area along the window wall. Planning phase Library officials started the planning phase in June 2024, receiving public input and further developing these plans until completion last January. Dakota County issued bonds to finance the project. The library currently offers a 3D printer and paper printers as well as computers with software like the Adobe Creative Suite and of course Internet access. Stone said people are often surprised to find out they can check out the electronic versions of books, newspapers and magazines through the library system. This summer, library staff are planning future events like Wednesday morning children’s storytime at Thompson Park in West St. Paul, with the Dakota County Library website, co.dakota.mn.us/libraries, the place to find exact dates and times. Related Articles Local News | National Lego convention returning to Eagan for third year in April Local News | Rosemount soldier’s heart recipient dies 15 years later. ‘It felt like Ben died all over again,’ his mother says. Local News | St. Paul kidnapping case followed by federal drug trafficking charges Local News | After a tribal swap, Eagan native Eva Erickson finds a new ally in hunky stuntman from Long Beach Local News | National Legion commander to address suicide prevention in Forest Lake, Apple Valley talks In terms of what will be offered at the temporary site, Stone said some newer books will be on hand, and people will be able to pick up or request items. Back in the children’s area, Hoffman said it will be bittersweet to have the local library close for a bit, but they will be excited to come back once the refresh is complete. “I hope more and more people come and use all of these resources,” Hoffman said, organizing her and young Freddy’s books. “Libraries are so important.” ...read more read less