Arlington Hills Library
Architectural features
The rectangular footprint of the building allowed two large reading rooms on the main level, and an auditorium and other smaller rooms in the basement. The eighty-foot symmetrical facade features seven bays, three of which have large stone arches over windows or the doorway, and four which have rectangular windows and plaques. The facade also has twelve pilasters with Ionic capitals. This facade is topped with a stone parapet with pilasters and grill-work, which rests on a classical entablature.
Relocation
The public library closed for relocation on Saturday, March 15, 2014 and reopened at 1200 Payne Ave. on May 22, 2014, as part of the Arlington Hills Community Center in collaboration with the parks and recreation department. The building went up for sale by the City of Saint Paul for adaptive reuse that would maintain the historic structure.
East Side Freedom Library
The nonprofit East Side Freedom Library signed a lease with the city in March, 2014, and will feature a reference book collection along with classrooms and meeting spaces for cultural events. The East Side Freedom Library was expected to open in June, 2014, but was delayed due to a need to replace the roof of the building. The organization is fundraising and seeking grants to complete this and other work on the building. The East Side Freedom Library began offering public programming in July, 2014.
References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
- ^ Nord, Mary Ann (2003). The National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota. Minnesota Historical Society. ISBN 978-0-87351-448-4.
- ^ Gaut, Greg (2019). Reinventing the People's Library. Saint Paul, MN: East Side Freedom Library. p. 53. ISBN 9781095283479.
- ^ Potter, Kyle (28 December 2011). "New digs for Arlington Hills Library, new life for its old home on St. Paul's East Side". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ Gaut, Greg. Reinventing the people's library (First ed.). St. Paul, MN. pp. 44–45. ISBN 978-1-0952-8347-9. OCLC 1107640697.
- ^ Duchschere, Ken. "Arlington Hills Library on East Side Closes." Startribune.com. 15 Mar. 2014. Web. 19 Mar. 2014.
- ^ Melo, Frederick. "St. Paul Touts New Arlington Hills Rec Center as Boost for East Side." St. Paul Pioneer Press, 22 May 2014. Web. 04 June 2014.
- ^ Anderson, Jim (2013-10-11). "St. Paul selling landmark Arlington Hills Library and fire station on East Side". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
- ^ Larkin, Patrick. "New Carnegie library stewards want to "raise the roof"" LillieNews.com. Lillie Suburban Newspapers, 2 June 2014. Web. 16 June 2014.
- ^ Anderson, Jim. "New Chapter for St. Paul's Historic Arlington Hills Branch Library." StarTribune.com. 18 Mar. 2014. Web. 19 Mar. 2014.
- ^ Sturdevant, Andy. "'The Meddling Class' Finds Its Righteous Voice at East Side Freedom Library." MinnPost. 10 July 2014. Web. 23 Feb. 2015.