When it comes to innovative (and crowd-pleasing) architecture, Hennepin County is developing a sterling track record. Here are four of the best:

Maple Grove Library
• 8001 N. Main St., Maple Grove
• $14.8 million, 40,000 square feet
• MSR Design, Minneapolis, 2010
• Colorful gathering space illuminated by plenty of indoor-outdoor connections.
 
Excelsior Library
• 337 Water St., Excelsior 
• $5.6 million, 7,200 square feet
• 292 Design Group, Minneapolis, 2014
• A compact storefront that seamlessly slips into its historic downtown setting.
 
Walker Library
• 2880 Hennepin Av. S., Minneapolis 
• $12 million, 30,000 square feet
• VJAA, Minneapolis, 2014
• Uptown’s chic, user-friendly living room squeezes a lot of design out of a tight budget.
 
Webber Park Library
• 4203 Webber Pkwy., Minneapolis 
• $12 million, 8,300 square feet
• Lawal Scott Erickson Architects, Minneapolis, opening 2017
• A sensitive, human-scaled plan that suits its parkway address.