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Hennepin County Library
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Tue. 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Wed. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thu. 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
11 reviews for Hennepin County Library
First, the building in dt Minneapolis is GORGEOUS. Being there and enjoying the architecture is an inspiring experience in itself. Also, I love the online reserve system. I can find books, reserve them and they are waiting for me in the holds area when they are available. I've clocked it, I can return books, and pick up new ones in under five minutes using the hold system. I usually ride my bike or take the bus so parking/traffic is not an issue. And while I do wish they were open on Mondays, it's more of a government/tax/budget reason than them needing to close their doors for a day.
Also have to mention the staff. They are helpful, available and knowledgeable. And the book selection is top-notch.
And it's all for FREE.
I am a super-fan of the library.
Cool building - check
Lots of books - check
Coffee shop downstairs - check
Central location - check
Online reserve system - check
Knowledgeable staff - check
Creepy somali man watching porn -check.
People are upset because the teen section faces the strip club corner. Ehh, Id be more worried about the sticky keyboards there.
People thought this was:
- Funny (2)
This library is my stomping ground.
Huge selection (of course, its a library), they're really good about transferring things from other locations fast, and the building is BEAUTIFUL.
My favorite part is the Dunn Bros on the first floor. I love finding a new good book and lounging in the coffee shop to read it. Big windows=sunshine and good people watching as well.
I do wish it was connected to the skyway (even 2 blocks in Jan is a long way to trek), but I'm glad the hours changed and that they're now open on Sundays.
Yeah public libraries rock!
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Cool building. Very modern looking central library. Great photo opportunity!
Don't understand how come it's right across the street from a bunch of strip clubs.
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I wish there were personal tour guides here to show me where everthing was since this place is F-ing HUGE!
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- Useful (1)
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If God needed to borrow anything, this is where he would come.
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The library itself is spectacular. The librarians are kind of surly. Hate the fact that they're closed Sunday and Monday. Maybe one day Minneapolis will pump some more funds into the library system so we can get some decent hours.
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Upfront - the Central libe loses a star because it's closed on Sunday and Monday, as are the rest of the libraries in Minneapolis. Get your act together, Twin Cities West.
When it is open, the Central library is the coolest. I love walking up to it because it makes me proud to live here - such a neat building. And always full of people. I am one (of the few?) who still checks out books from the library, and I usually come here, even though I have a branch a few blocks from home. Just because Central is bigger though, doesn't mean the books I want are here. In fact they're usually checked out if they're recent. The secret, people, is HOLDS. Then you get an email when your books arrive. It's like Christmas!
My most frequent reason for being at the library is to do work. I sit on the third floor by the windows and watch the traffic and bikers avoid each other on Hennepin. It's been a productive spot for me. I appreciate how well spaced the work tables are. Even if people take a phone call, we're far enough apart that it's not intrusive.
Another plus are the computers. There are hundreds of public stations. Which is a good thing since they are at nearly full occupancy most of the day. If you're trying to do work, bring a laptop, since it's not nearly so peaceful "in the pit" as I call the computer areas(in my head).
The one small complaint I have is that it takes me a while to find books. I guess they have maps but they don't all show where to find the call numbers - maybe I'm just used to instant information online, but maps are a pretty basic requirement.
For the vehicularly enabled: parking is hard and/or expensive. Take the bus, ride your bike or walk unless you have patience and money to burn.
I was visiting the MN metropolis that is Minneapolis and walking past "the mall" when I ended up at this gorgeous building, wondering what symphony, opera, or other cultural affair resided there. To my delight, this phenomenal piece of architecture houses over a million books and periodicals and plenty of computers, which I promptly took advantage of. Hands down the best library I have ever seen, with tons of windows and sleek "outer" elevators - the ones you can see into from the ground floor as people ride up and down and are often used injudiciously in suspense films. Anyway, I wandered around to secure a favorite book and a favorite periodical, sat myself down for an hour, completely undisturbed and then went to check my e-mail and some yelp reviews for places to eat nearby. Unfortunately, you need a password to log on, but upon approaching the elderly (not very old, by twice my junior at least) gentleman (EG) at the desk the following transpired:
Me: "I am visiting from out of town and would like to check my e-mail; is there anyway for me to log on?"
EG: "Could I see a license?"
I hand him my CA driver's license.
EG: "Oh, are you moving here?"
Me: "Unfortunately, just visiting."
EG: "Good choice."
He then leads me over to an empty computer, opening up a small black (leather?) pocketbook and picks out a log on ID and password for me.
Me: "Thank you very much".
EG: "Enjoy".
And that I did; leaving a few minutes later, hoping that SF catches up on the architectural binge the Midwest cities have been on for a while.
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I have to agree with Sarah that it loses one star for sure because of the days they are opened. In Denver Sundays were a pretty good day for me to go clean out my holds and return some books since I don't have much time during the week. However, the library itself is beautiful inside and all very new. The layout seems to be pretty functional but I have one other random little thing I didn't like. And that was the books in the "new" section are down basically on the floor and you have to bend way down to see them and then there is really only room from one person in the aisle. But that is kinda a silly thing so I didn't take anything away from it. But I plan to spend some good time here and I do really like it.
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I've never had cause to enter the building as it's almost impossible to park nearby when I have had some time, but I've always admired the building in passing.
