Metro briefs: Anoka County Library rolls out new app

The Anoka County Library is moving its collection of e-books, e-magazines and audiobooks to a new app, bringing it onto the same platform as other metro library systems.

Anoka's collection of 20,000 e-titles has been housed on an app called Cloud Library, but it is being shifted to the Libby app. With the move, patrons will have access to resources that Anoka may not have, such as niche titles that libraries in other counties carry.

"That is a net gain for everybody," said Anoka County Library Collections Manager Andrew Wylie, noting that patrons of other systems will also have access to Anoka's digital materials.

Digital checkouts in Anoka have soared over the past year, rising from about 300,000 a year before the pandemic to more than 500,000 last year.

Tim Harlow

Six historical organizations in the Lake Minnetonka area are seeking public input on working together more effectively — whether that means collaborating on particular activities, consolidating services or something in between.

The organizations are asking residents to take an online survey (surveymonkey.com/r/LMHO) by April 8. Responses can be submitted anonymously, although those who provide contact information will be entered in a drawing for three historically themed gift baskets. The organizations will also hold two remote public meetings on April 17 from 10 a.m. to noon and April 19 from 6 to 8 p.m.

KATY READ

Proposed residential development planned near Eden Prairie's historic Fredrick-Miller spring has prompted the city to reiterate that the site is a protected landmark.

The Noble Hill residential development will include 50 single-family lots on a private parcel close to the spring. The city announced recently that the development, proposed by Pulte Homes earlier this year, doesn't affect the source or access to the spring.

Because the spring's protection was included in city code in 1997, it will remain protected, the city said in a news release.

The spring has been in continuous use since 1890. Eden Prairie acquired the property in 1969, making improvements in 1972 and 2003 and conducting water tests monthly.

Kim Hyatt

Eagle Brook Church will mark the grand opening of its Ham Lake campus with Easter weekend services.

The megachurch absorbed Horizons Church in February after the senior pastor of the smaller congregation retired and its members voted to join Eagle Brook.

With the addition of Ham Lake, Eagle Brook now has nine metro locations. It also has a campus in Rochester, Minn.