Heads up to West St. Paul readers and bibliophiles; the Wentworth Library is shutting its doors temporarily for a much-needed facelift. Starting April 7, the beloved local institution, which hasn't seen major renovations since 2008, will close down to undergo extensive upgrades, according to Dakota County. The renovation will update the 32-year-old building, set to reopen in spring 2026.
A temporary library setup is slated to open April 14 just a week after closure. You'll find it perched on the second floor of the Dakota County Northern Service Center, at 1 Mendota Road W., as detailed by the county officials. For those in need of full library service, neighboring Kaposia Library and Inver Glen Library are ready to welcome Wentworth's regulars with open arms—and books.
The library is expected to boast expanded meeting and study areas, with a special emphasis on creating zones tailored for children and teens. The blueprint includes a quiet reading section, additional study spots, and meeting rooms. Moreover, patrons can look forward to such improvements as better accessibility with a relocated service desk, lower bookshelves for easier reach, and tech upgrades to accommodate virtual meet-ups, as detailed by Dakota County release.
