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Historic Minneapolis library set to reopen after $6.9 million renovation

Named after a 19th century civil rights advocate and abolitionist, Sumner Library has served the community since 1915.

MINNEAPOLIS — A north Minneapolis library listed on the National Register of Historic Places is set to reopen next week after undergoing a nearly $7 million renovation.

Named after Charles Sumner, a 19th century civil rights advocate and abolitionist, Sumner Library has served the community since 1915. It closed its doors on Oct 7, 2023, for renovations.

Hennepin County Library Director Scott Duimstra said he is looking forward to the reopening. While some upgrades were made to the library, Duimstra noted that the building's original framework and historic details have been preserved.

"When you walk through, you have these historic-looking wood bookshelves throughout the space. As a bibliophile, a lover of libraries, it just brings joy to my eyes when I see furniture like that," Duimstra said.

The $6.9 million renovation, funded by taxpayer dollars, has brought various updates to the facility, including a new youth and teen space, larger and more flexible study areas, a dedicated wing for adults and new electrical and HVAC systems.

Summer Mattson, who teaches at an early childhood development center across the street, said she’s eager to bring her students back once the library reopens. “We do not have a library in our school, so the kids and I walk down here and they check out books and look at everything. We talk about the building itself and the kids love it,” Mattson said. 

She is looking forward to bringing her class to the library next week. "I already talked to my kids about it, so they know what's going on and they're looking forward to it."

The library’s doors will officially reopen on Tuesday, November 19. To mark the occasion, a public celebration is planned for Sunday, Nov 24.

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