The Highland Park and Sun Ray branches of the St. Paul Public Library will close Monday for several months of renovation work before reopening next fall, officials said.
The Highland Park library, which dates from 1954 and was redesigned in the 1970s, will be rebuilt at a cost of $7.9 million. The project will result in a new meeting room, energy-efficient lighting, an expanded children's area and a dedicated "teen zone" with technology stations. About 5,000 square feet will be redone to create more public space.
The 43-year-old Sun Ray library will get $5.5 million in improvements, including a new public plaza, an outdoor reading garden, a community room and a 2,500-square-foot expansion. Sun Ray, located on the East Side, also will get expanded children's and teen areas.
Total cost of the projects is $13.5 million, of which the city will pay $7 million. The balance of the funding is being raised by the nonprofit Friends of the St. Paul Public Library. Construction will begin in early 2014.
KEVIN DUCHSCHERE
@KDuchschere
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