Ramsey County Library in Maplewood : Maplewood, MN

To meet the needs of the Maplewood community, Ramsey County and library staff decided to build a replacement 31,000-square-foot branch library. An extended entry canopy and native plantings, along with warm-colored building materials, welcome patrons from the street, wrap the exterior and nestle the building into the site. The reference and circulation desks are located along the main circulation spine. Staff benefit from clear sightlines between desks and into the collection. The staff workrooms are open, flexible and support an efficient flow of materials. The planned automated sorting equipment in the workrooms greatly reduces the task of repetitive sorting and improves ergonomics, while allowing staff more time to assist patrons personally. A multi-functional meeting space and coffee shop welcome the community for after-hours use.