UPDATE: The Rondo Community Library in St. Paul is set to close temporarily on December 15 for urgent renovations, raising concerns among patrons and officials about the impact on this vital community hub. The St. Paul Public Library is investing $793,000 to enhance the facility and improve accessibility.
Visitors arriving at the library were met with a closure notice on the front door, sparking immediate reactions from community members. Library Director Maureen Hartman stated that the renovations aim to create a more welcoming environment by repositioning restrooms and moving the front desk further into the entrance. “Right now, there’s a bit of a gap before you get to the library space itself,” Hartman explained. “We want to ensure that when folks come in, they immediately recognize it as a library.”
In a move to minimize disruption, library officials have announced that staff from Rondo will relocate to the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, located at 270 N. Kent St., effective January 3, 2023. Patrons will still be able to access books, DVDs, and computer services at this temporary location.
However, not everyone is onboard with the closure. City Council Member Anika Bowie, whose district includes the Rondo Library, expressed her disappointment during a recent budget hearing. “I do want to make it very clear about this library renovation process. I’ve been disappointed with the lack of collaboration from the start,” Bowie stated, emphasizing the community’s need for more engagement in the decision-making process.
Union leader Isaac Mielke, who represents library staff, echoed these sentiments. “Rondo workers and the community have felt left out of the conversation,” he noted, adding that staff familiar with the library and its patrons have not been adequately consulted.
Residents like Nehemiah Dacres are also questioning the effectiveness of the renovations. “I’m not sure exactly how changing that will make it more approachable,” Dacres remarked, highlighting a need for clarity in the renovation plans. He frequently uses the library for DVD rentals and volunteers at events, illustrating the library’s importance to the community.
The Rondo Library has faced numerous challenges since the disruptions following the 2020 pandemic and the unrest after the murder of George Floyd. In 2021 and 2022, it accounted for a significant portion of police incident calls within the St. Paul library system. To address these safety concerns, the library introduced safety specialists this year, even reducing weekend hours due to ongoing public safety issues.
Author and community member Dr. Artika Tyner criticized the situation, stating, “Librarians should be able to assist me with research. They shouldn’t be knocking on the bathroom doors and trying to stop drug use. That’s not a library.” Both Bowie and Tyner are calling for improved communication regarding the renovations and their impact on safety.
Patrons are urged to be aware of the impending closure and to visit the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center for library services starting in January. As the renovation plans develop, community members are left waiting for clearer answers about the future of the Rondo Library.
With its rich history as a community center, the Rondo Library’s temporary closure highlights the ongoing need for balancing necessary improvements with the needs of the community it serves. Residents are hopeful for a swift renovation process, but concerns linger about the extent of community involvement and communication throughout this critical transformation.
