Vision to Rebuild
Since their inception, libraries have been places of innovation, technology, and belonging. One of the last free spaces to “just be” in today’s world, the library provides critical economic, cultural, educational, and social resources at no cost. As the socioeconomic landscape of our community and beyond changes, so do the needs of library users. In rebuilding and co-locating the library and CareerForce we will position ourselves to create a more active and engaged community space in the heart of downtown Duluth.
Both the downtown library and CareerForce provide critical services and access to resources to the Duluth community and people across the region. Every year, the library circulates hundreds of thousands of digital and physical materials, answers tens of thousands of reference questions, and provides hundreds of programs and events. Nearly 44,000 active cards are registered with the Duluth Public Library. CareerForce is an interagency regional workforce center connecting thousands of workers to opportunity and employers to talent each year. Nearly 20% of customers are Minnesotans not from Duluth. Combining these two lively, well-used resources into one physical space creates a hub of services for the community to access.
Providing a space to pursue educational and career-related opportunities for users of all ages contributes to public safety in meaningful ways. Both the Library and CareerForce provide critical services that address the causes of public safety issues.
The architecture and design elements of this project are still in the early stages of development. While we are not ready to share specific design plans, we are really excited about the opportunities a complete rebuild makes possible for our community. Check back on this page for updates as they become available.