Southdale Library

A white three-story building, where portions of the second and third stories are suspended over the parking lot on cylindrical supports
Southdale Library viewed from the northwest

Southdale Library is an American public library. It is located in Edina, Minnesota, United States. At 60,000 square feet, it is one of the largest in the Hennepin County Library system. The building is part of a complex that also houses district courts.[1] The library offers materials in English, Chinese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.[2]

History

When the library opened in November 1973, it was the third largest public library in Minnesota with a 200,000 volume collection.[3] Southdale opened with audio-visual materials and equipment including computers, televisions, recorders, projectors, videotape equipment, and the ability to connect to six-channel copper loops to listen to audio materials via headphones.[4]

The library was initially among the libraries funded by Hennepin County after the State Legislature authorized the county’s long-range building program in 1969. This legislation created a 15-year program including $20 million, some of which helped fund the library.[5] The library served as the headquarters of Hennepin County Library until the Ridgedale Library was built in 1982.

Renovations were completed in several phases. The first phase was the expansion of their parking lot from September to November 1992.[6] The next phase included expanding the interior for additional square footage to the library and upgrade to the building.[7] The final phase was completed on January 1 to March 13, 1994.[8]

A new Southdale Library is in the planning stages. The new building will be shared with the Edina Art Center and is planned to open in Summer 2027.[9]

Art

Untitled by Christopher Tully[10] is the one prominent piece of art featured in the Southdale Library children's area. "Untitled" is an installation of several animal sculptures including fish, birds and hippopotami. Christopher Tully’s sculptures are displayed throughout the children's area. Tully is a Minnesota artist who creates large scale sculptures and installation pieces of whimsical animal characters and nature scenes.

References

  1. ^ "Southdale Library". Hclib.org. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  2. ^ "Language collections". Hclib.org. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  3. ^ "Dedication" pamphlet. 18, November 1973
  4. ^ "Introducing the Southdale-Hennepin Area Library" brochure. 1973.
  5. ^ "New Branch Library" Minneapolis Tribune May 23, 1971,
  6. ^ "Southdale Renovations- Project Starts" Memo received by All Hennepin County Agencies/ Sections/ Division. Author B. Thiede, ALD. 16 September 1991.
  7. ^ "Southdale Renovation- Expansion Program" Memo received by All Hennepin County Agencies/ Sections/ Division. Author B. Thiede, ALD. 28 March 1990.
  8. ^ "The Closing and Reopening of Southdale" Memo received by All Hennepin County Agencies/ Sections/ Division. Author B. Thiede, ALD. 6 December 1993.
  9. ^ "Southdale Library building project". Hclib.org. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  10. ^ "Art at the library". Hclib.org. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
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