UPDATE: The Rondo Community Library in St. Paul is set to close its doors on December 15, 2023, as officials embark on a series of urgent renovations aimed at enhancing safety and accessibility. This announcement has sparked immediate concern among patrons and city officials, who fear the temporary closure will impact this vital community hub located at the intersection of University Avenue and Dale Street.
The St. Paul Public Library plans to invest $793,000 in improvements, including relocating restrooms closer to the entrance and moving the front desk further into the building. Library Director Maureen Hartman emphasized that these renovations are crucial for creating a more welcoming space. “Right now, there’s a bit of a gap before you get to the library space itself. We want folks to immediately know they are entering a library,” Hartman stated.
As part of the transition, Rondo Library staff will move operations to the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center at 270 N. Kent St. beginning January 3. Patrons will still have access to books, DVDs, and computer services during this period. However, the decision to close the library has not been well-received by all.
City Council Member Anika Bowie, whose district includes the library, expressed disappointment over the lack of community engagement in the renovation process. “I’ve been disappointed with the lack of collaboration from the start,” Bowie asserted during a recent budget hearing. “It’s been really challenging to convey the impacts of the closing of Rondo Library.”
Union leader Isaac Mielke, representing library staff, echoed these concerns, stating that both employees and the community feel sidelined in discussions about the renovations. “The staff who actually work at Rondo and know the building and the community have not been involved in the process,” Mielke said. This sentiment was shared by local resident Nehemiah Dacres, who questioned how the changes would enhance the library’s approachability. “I don’t know what they’re going to do,” Dacres remarked.
The Rondo Library has faced numerous challenges since the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. Between 2021 and 2022, it accounted for one-fourth of the internal incident calls to police within the St. Paul library system. In response to ongoing safety concerns, library staff implemented safety specialists earlier this year and reduced operational hours on weekends.
Dr. Artika Tyner, an author who utilizes the library for reading events, pointed out that the safety issues extend beyond recent years. “Librarians should be able to assist me with research. They shouldn’t be knocking on the bathroom doors and trying to stop drug use,” Tyner noted, highlighting the urgent need for improvements.
As the community grapples with the library’s closure, residents like Lynn Overvoorde are left in the dark about the changes. “I sometimes come to the library with my 11-month-old daughter, and I didn’t know it was shutting down,” Overvoorde said, voicing her hope that the closure will not be prolonged.
The renovation project is currently in the design phase, with a timeline for construction to be established once a general contractor is selected. As these developments unfold, the Rondo Library’s future remains uncertain, but the community’s desire for better communication and involvement in the process is clear.
WHAT’S NEXT: The community will be closely monitoring the renovation progress and awaiting updates on the timeline for reopening. As officials finalize their plans, residents are encouraged to stay engaged and voice their concerns to ensure that the Rondo Library remains a welcoming space for all.
