Moorhead library staff previews 'The Loop' and early-April opening

Moorhead Human Rights Commission members heard an update on The Loop — the new building that will house the Moorhead Public Library and the Lake Agassiz Regional Library headquarters — and a tentative early-April opening date. "I'm going to give you an update of The Loop, the home of the new Moorhead Public Library," Megan Krueger said, describing the regional library system, services and planned spaces.

Krueger explained that Minnesota public libraries often belong to regional systems and said Lake Agassiz Regional Library serves seven counties through 22 locations, including 13 branch libraries and nine link sites. She described core services the library provides today — public computers, free wireless internet, Wi-Fi hotspots for checkout, printing and technology help — and noted those services will continue at the new facility.

Renderings shown to commissioners included a "living room" entry area with seating and curated collections, a children's library for birth-through-middle-school programs, a perimeter walking track with extensive windows and a divisible presentation hall intended for public meetings and events. Krueger said the Sparks Center for Entrepreneurship, one of the new building's program spaces, was supported in part by a federal grant through the U.S. Small Business Administration and will host programming and office hours for entrepreneurs.

Officials outlined the moving schedule: the library's administrative office will start moving next week, the library will reduce hours beginning March 2 and operate a limited schedule for most of March to move materials and prepare the facility, and staff expect to announce an official opening date in March for an early-April public opening. On the walking track, Krueger said the loop is one-eighth of a mile. Questions about programming schedules and Sparks Center sign-ups prompted Krueger to say additional details will be published on the library website once available.

Commissioners thanked Krueger and noted the library's role as a community hub. Krueger said the city currently owns the old library building and that it is listed for sale with Goldmark Realty. The presentation closed with commissioners encouraging broad community use of the new spaces and an invitation to watch for the official opening announcement.

The library update was informational; no formal action on the project was taken at the meeting.