Ever wonder how a street can shape a community? We are standing in front of the Rice Street Branch Public Library. It is a cornerstone of the neighborhood. Rice Street itself began as a commercial corridor. It served St. Paul’s working class.
This street got its name from Henry Rice. He arrived in St. Paul in 1849. Rice quickly amassed a fortune in real estate. He became a U.S. Senator for Minnesota. He also served as a regent for the University of Minnesota. Rice was president of the Minnesota Historical Society too.
But back to our library. The Rice Street Branch Public Library is part of the Saint Paul Public Library system. This system started way back in 1856. It began with a reading room at the YMCA. In 1863, several early libraries merged. This formed the Saint Paul Library Association.
In 1879, Alexander Ramsey proposed a free public library. The city council approved it in 1882. At that time, the collection had 8,051 books. The library grew quickly.
In 1915, a fire destroyed the library. It was located in the old Market Hall. The fire claimed most of its 158,000 books. But planning for a new Central Library was already underway.
James J. Hill contributed $700,000. This was specifically for a reference library. It would be attached to the public library. By 1917, the Central Library opened.
The Saint Paul Public Library expanded over the years. In 1952, the Rice Street branch opened. A new Rice Street library opened in 2002. It was nearly three times the size of the original. The new library cost $3.7 million. At 12,300 square feet, it offered much more space.
The Rice Street Branch Public Library serves as a focal point. It is for the diverse communities of the Rice Street neighborhood. The library was designed with pedestrians in mind. It maintains a low-scale profile. It presents a civic image to the street. The design includes a storefront entrance. A graceful canopy extends to the parking lot. The library also has a public meeting room. It seats 80 people.
The Saint Paul Public Library has been innovative. In 2014, they launched the Racial Equity Initiative. This initiative changed policies. It affected the workforce and services. It focused on people of color. The library even published children’s books in Karen, Amharic, and Oromo.
In 2019, the library eliminated fines for overdue items. Parts of the city with more poverty and people of color had higher percentages of blocked accounts. This change addressed racial equity.
The Saint Paul Public Library also runs Read Brave Saint Paul. This reading program uses books to discuss tough topics. These topics include homelessness.
So, as you step inside the Rice Street Branch Public Library, remember its history. It is more than just a building. It is a vital part of this community. It’s a place of learning, growth, and connection.