FAQs
- Maple Plain, 5184 Main Street East, Maple Plain
- St. Bonifacius, 8624 Kennedy Memorial Drive, St. Bonifacius
- Wayzata, 620 Rice Street, Wayzata
Net-Zero: A feasibility study found that the Westonka Library, based on its building size and south-facing site, would be an ideal candidate for a net-zero facility
Geothermal: Energy from the earth
Solar: Rooftop solar panels
Tree preservation: A significant number of healthy, mature existing trees surrounding the current building will remain
Water management: The flow of water on the site has informed the building location and design, and 92% of stormwater will be managed on site
Waste diversion: Recycling, salvage, and reuse of 75% of construction and demolition waste will reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills
When will the new Westonka Library open?
Westonka Library closed July 5, 2025. The project is expected to take around a year and a half to complete.
Are you offering a temporary space for service during the construction phase?
Temporary holds pickup and return will be available during the library closure at Mound City Hall, located at 2415 Wilshire Blvd in Mound. This space will be open when City Hall is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The temporary location will be closed Saturday and Sunday. For questions on this holds pickup location connect with Ask Us online, call 612-543-KNOW (5669), or visit any Hennepin County library.
Patrons can also visit nearby libraries for other library services:
Computer access and a Hennepin County digital access kiosk will be available at WeCAN, 5213 Shoreline Drive, Mound. During the library closure, patrons may use public computers at WeCAN to search for jobs, check email, and access resources. WeCAN is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
How much will the project cost?
The full project - including consulting, demolition, stormwater, green space, and soft costs like furniture and technology - is an estimated $19.5 million.
The project will be funded by general obligation bonds.
Will the new library be larger than the current one?
Yes. The new Westonka Library will be approximately 12,000 square feet, whereas the former building was approximately 8,500 square feet. The increased size will allow for an expanded early learning area for families, additional meeting spaces for students and groups of all ages, and defined areas for adult, teen, and children’s collections.
Why not renovate the existing building?
Over the last several years, the county has studied the facility, maintenance costs, and the accessibility limitations of the current architecture.
Rather than renovate the existing complex at a significant expense, it was decided that demolition and new construction will provide the most flexibility and the best value for residents.
In the 50+ years since Westonka Library was built, it’s understandable that some residents have an affinity for the unique design – but we’re very excited about this updated vision for library services at Westonka and hope that you’ll be drawn to the features of the new construction, too.
How will Hennepin County ensure the longevity of the new facility?
The new Westonka Library will be built with sustainability at the forefront as a net-zero energy building. A net-zero facility is designed to produce 100% (or more) of the energy it consumes through renewable energy sources generated on its site. The following climate action initiatives will contribute to a long-lasting, environmentally conscious library:
What is a net-zero energy building?
A net-zero facility is designed to produce 100% (or more) of the energy it consumes through renewable energy sources generated on its site.
What's going to happen to my property taxes?
This is one of the benefits of having a county-run library system. All property owners in Hennepin County contribute to the operation of our libraries.
The short answer is that your property tax bill depends on your assessed value, which changes based on market conditions, and the total taxes levied by city, county, and school district authorities.
The county levy does not automatically increase because of these bonds, but the bond payments are factored into the overall county budget.