After a failed attempt at going to Como Zoo, Teddy and I ended up at the Roseville Public Library. I remember coming here as a kid with my mom. She would ditch me to have some much-needed alone time while I perused the old microfiche machines certain I would discover the missing clue to the Jacob Wetterling case.
This library has had a beautiful facelift since my childhood days. It's still just as big as I remember it, but so much more kid-friendly with welcoming, modern decor and a Dunn Bros. coffee shop attached. The kid's area is huge with a few different rooms filled with engaging toys and play structures, game tables, computers, book buckets with various themes, and a giant Lite Brite. I really appreciated the organization of the kid's space here. You can tell they put a lot of effort into trying to spark creativity and encourage kids to find their interests in reading. We especially enjoyed the bug-themed book boxes.
My favorite part was their outdoor area. There's a short walkway off the front of the the library that hosts shaded areas, a play hut, and learning spots (i.e., leaning about rain barrels and permeable ground cover) for kids to connect with nature. We packed a lunch so this was a perfect spot to sit and eat. It would also be easy to grab something from the coffee shop to take outside.
Check out the Ramsey County Library Events Page for more info on upcoming events.
