Brookdale Library

Brookdale Library opened in its current location, 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center in 1981. As the first structure in Hennepin County to be built in compliance with Minnesota’s Sustainable Design Guide(now known as B3 Guidelines), it is one of three Hennepin County structures with a library, county courthouse, licensing and records services office, and social service and community corrections offices. Initially, the Library’s space was 31,400 square feet, including three meeting rooms. As the building abuts a swamp and nearby Shingle Creek, native plants were included in the landscaping, using trees, shrubs and plants that thrive in Minnesota’s weather and support native animals and insects. A library in Brooklyn Center was part of Hennepin County’s long-range library construction program which was published by the 1969 Minnesota State Legislature, authorizing three libraries: Southdale-Hennepin Area Library (Edina, opened in 1973); Ridgedale Hennepin Area Library (Minnetonka, opened in 1982) ; and Brookdale Library.Building ExpansionTwenty years later, the building was in need of several updates. In fact, the original design planned for future expansion to the facility. A $29.6 million renovation started in May 2002, and was part of the 2001-2005 Hennepin County Capital Improvement Plan. The library’s tab for the 18-month long remodeling was $18 million. Upon reopening, the library’s new footprint is 53,155 square feet (an increase of 22,000 square feet). The updates included 144 public access computers, a cyber café-styled teen zone, and space for an additional 50,000 books (making the collection about 150,000). The library is organized around “information neighborhoods” which marries collection materials with the right mix of technology, worktables and chairs. Throughout, daylight filters in from large windows. Dedicated spaces are available for quiet study, meeting rooms, and a conference room.