Residents of Belle Plaine can look forward to an expanded local library by 2025. In a move to address the demands of a doubling population, the Belle Plaine City Council greenlit the library's expansion on August 5, in a decision that promises to enrich community resources. The project will introduce an additional 2,300 square feet of space dedicated to study rooms, a children's area, and social service support, and is anticipated to meet the evolving needs of its 7,395 constituents, as per the 2020 Census.
Constructed in 1995 when Belle Plaine was a smaller town of 3,200 minds, the existing library facility echoed with the laughter and whispers of a different era. Looking to pivot to the realities of today, Mayor Michael Woletz shared with Scott County, "Belle Plaine has grown and evolved significantly over the past 30 years, and so have residents’ needs." The expansion is set to cost $1.5 million, with $750,000 in aid coming from a Library Construction Improvement Grant provided by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).
After falling short in 2018, persistence paved the way for the city to secure the necessary funds. In a statement released by Scott County, City Administrator Dawn Meyer remarked, “Receiving the grant helped launch a project that has been many years in the making.” Over time, Belle Plaine Friends of the Library funneled more than $368,000 from Charitable Gambling for this cause. These efforts, combined with the grant and City Capital funds, mean the community will experience no financial strain due to the expansion.
Enhancing library access has been a long-treasured priority. At the heart of this endeavor, Scott County Library has upped the Belle Plaine Library’s staff hours in 2024, alongside introducing Extended Access, enabling residents to venture into their library of wisdom and quietude without staff present. Commissioner Barbara Weckman Brekke, representing Belle Plaine, lauded the initiative in an interview with Scott County, expressing, “Focusing on early literacy and family development is a priority for the Scott County Board." She praises the tireless dedication of city staff and community partners for securing the grant which will allow for an advanced public service.
