Lacking a brick-and-mortar library of its own, the Washington County city of Hugo has begun to explore how to bring more library programs and services to its residents.

A new committee that includes representatives from Hugo and the Washington County Library met recently to discuss what Chuck Haas of the City Council called the "library of the future." Ideas include hosting library programs and events at Oneka Elementary School, broadening the county bookmobile presence and expanding the book kiosk at City Hall.

"Hugo has always been about cooperation and collaboration," Haas said. "We have facilities, we have staff here that we can share with the county library folks."

The Hugo Library Express is one of three county book kiosks. The county has a law library in Stillwater and six branches, including its flagship Stafford library in Woodbury. Stillwater and Bayport have their own libraries.

"We need to know where our people are going for their library services," Haas said.

Kevin Giles

@stribgiles