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<br /> <br />Gem Lake News Page 3 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />White Bear Lake Library Reopens to Much Hoopla <br />across the country to make knowledge and <br />information available to all. <br /> <br />The current building was built in 1973 and <br />served the community well, but technology <br />changes and increased patronage created the <br />demands for a new design. The architectural <br />firm Bentz, Thompson, and Rietow was selected <br />to create a modern, efficient library. Knutson <br />Construction won the bid and the new 16,500 <br />square foot project was underway. <br /> <br />Throughout the fall and winter work continued <br />and today all the planning, fund-raising, and <br />construction culminated to the joy and <br />appreciation of all those in attendance. As the <br />library begins its second century of serving the <br />community, it is well positioned to continue being <br />a destination for those who want to learn and <br />share their knowledge. <br />Written by Council Member Jim Lindner <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Saturday, April 11 dawned bright and clear. It <br />was a special day for the White Bear Lake <br />branch of the Ramsey County Libraries, for <br />this morning was the end of the wait for the <br />library to re-open after ten months of <br />construction. <br /> <br />Well over 100 eager patrons attended the <br />opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting. <br />Partnerships between the City of White Bear <br />Lake, Ramsey County, the Ramsey County <br />Library Board, and the Friends of the Library <br />all made the $3.5 million dollar project <br />possible. <br /> <br />Gone are the dark exterior fascias and the <br />crowded interior spaces. In their places are <br />new, modern stone exterior walls and open, <br />easily-accessed bookshelves and reading <br />areas. Natural lighting filters in through large <br />windows and a high ceiling compliments the <br />library's sense of openness. New personal <br />study rooms and two new board rooms are <br />also part of the new features. <br /> <br />Ramsey County Commissioner Victoria <br />Reinhardt spoke of how the county board saw <br />this project as a vision towards the future. <br />"You will bring your children here," Reinhardt <br />told the crowd as how she described the <br />project to her young grandson. With nearly <br />two million visitors annually, the White Bear <br />Lake library circulated well over 350,000 <br />items to patrons in 2013. On average, <br />approximately 158 items are checked out <br />every hour. <br /> <br />With this kind of usage, along with increased <br />demands for technology and meeting space, it <br />was clear the old library could no longer meet <br />the needs of the community. The original <br />library dates to 1914, when steel magnate <br />Andrew Carnegie built a number of libraries <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />