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Work Begins on the New Cambridge Public Library & Headquarters
Work has
officially
begun on the new Cambridge Public Library and ECRL Headquarters!
In November 2018, voters approved a City of Cambridge one-half percent local option sales tax to fund a new library as well as street, trail and park improvements. This was enacted in the 2019 Legislative Session and went into effect earlier this summer. The City of Cambridge has contracted with BJ Baas Builders, INC in Cambridge. The builder will develop the building that formerly housed GracePointe Crossing Gables East, at 548 First Ave W. into the new library and regional library headquarters. Above you can see the concept design for the main entrance from StudioEA Architects.
Prior to the start of construction community members, library supporters and city staff gathered to bless the building.
Pictured (left to right) Lead Pastor at New Hope Community Church, Bill Berg; Cambridge Economic Development Director, Stan Gustafson; Cambridge City Administrator, Lynda Woulfe; Builder, Brian Baas and Executive Director, Carla Lydon.
Demolition of the older half of the building began today.
The older half of the current structure is being demolished.
The remaining half of the building was an addition which will see a complete remodel. By re-purposing a previously existing building the City of Cambridge is saving approximately 4 million dollars in costs and reusing a vacant building in town. The library will be prominently located on Highway 95, in downtown Cambridge and within a block of the Cambridge Primary School and the Cambridge Intermediate School. The new building will be 44,328 square feet, more than double the current building. This site will also give citizens ample parking, a community room that will seat 200+ people comfortably, and potentially a cafe!
The East Central Regional Library Headquarters will continue to be co-located with the Cambridge Public Library. Headquarters space will be in the lower level. Having a new headquarters space will benefit our entire region as we will be able to operate more efficiently in providing shared services like book purchasing and processing, tech support, programming, delivery between branches and across the state and library leadership. All of these services will ensure your branch library staff can devote their time to you and your community.
A special thanks to everyone who helped make this new building happen for the benefit of the Cambridge community, Isanti county and our six county library region!.
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Help celebrate the 60th Anniversary of East Central Regional Library! We will be hosting celebrations in all 14 locations. To see the full schedule please check out the ECRL Events Calendar
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Upcoming Events:
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Beth was a finalist for the 2016 Minnesota Book Awards for her book, In Winter's Kitchen, which reveals how a food movement with deep roots in the Heartland isn't only thriving, it's presenting solutions that could feed a country, rather than just a smattering of neighborhoods and restaurants.
All ages are welcome to attend and no registration is necessary.
Using his clever songs and unique showmanship, Duke Otherwise effortlessly engages and inspires children (and adults) of all ages. From Madison, WI, he has been entertaining for many years with his guitar, tap shoes and distinct singing voice. His original songs will make you laugh, clap, dance and interact. Duke has performed all across the country, with some international touring, as well, challenging his audiences to think outside the box with him while singing some of the wittiest and most fun tunes ever heard in a room full of kids!
This is a ticketed event. Stop by the Chisago Lakes Area Library starting on September 3rd to pick up your tickets! All ages welcome.
These programs are funded with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Keep informed of all East Central Regional Library events by visiting the events calendar at ecrlib.org and following us on Facebook.
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Upcoming Closure: Monday, September 2nd
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Two sisters, one farm. A family is split when their father leaves their shared inheritance entirely to Helen, his younger daughter. Despite baking award-winning pies at the local nursing home, her older sister, Edith, struggles to make what most people would call a living. So she can't help wondering what her life would have been like with even a portion of the farm money her sister kept for herself....
In
The Lager Queen of Minnesota, we meet a cast of lovable, funny, quintessentially American characters eager to make their mark in a world that's often stacked against them. In this deeply affecting family saga, resolution can take generations, but when it finally comes, we're surprised, moved, and delighted."
-- Provided by publisher.
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