Saint Anthony Park Library

This library is a gem in the crown that is the Saint Anthony Park neighborhood. It’s charming, the architecture is beautiful, and the staff and clientele are always friendly and non-​threatening.
The best thing about this library is the amazing children’s section – set apart in its own little rotunda in the back with tiny cozy chairs, toys, a play area, and lots of computers for the kids. I have three young sons, and they adore this library. Not only does it have a beautiful kids’ section (did I mention the rotunda has a gorgeous skylight as well?) but they routinely host events for children in the summer, like magic shows and plays.
Really the only downside is that I wish it had parking – it’s often hard to find a place to park nearby, and navigating street parking on Como is pretty tricky, with lots of blind curves. It’s also pretty tiny, so if you’re looking for a more extensive adult selection, you probably have to go elsewhere or request books from other locations.

From the outside, this is a piece of architectural eye candy. I’m a fan. It’s not quite as majestic from the inside (1980s remodels… **shaking fist**), but it’s really an adorable historic library in an adorable little neighborhood. I loved spending part of the afternoon with my mobile office spread out on a sunshiney library table.
I’m not a regular, so my perspective is just based on loitering vs. actually checking out books. However, my impression is that it seems like one of those libraries where you probably request the books your want from the larger STP libraries and then pick them up, because it’s really not very big. They do have a whole wing dedicated to the kiddos though!

Beautiful exterior for this smallish library. I came in to use a computer and a librarian helped me with a guest pass. Very nice.

I LOVE this library. I love it so much, I drive all the way to Como from Nordeast (past the TWO other libraries that are within a mile of my house) to get there! Why do I love it? For one, it’s an old Carnegie library with charming early 20^th Century charm and it’s just the right size to feel like you’ve been coming there all your life. It doesn’t hurt that it’s in a delightful neighborhood, either. The selection of books has never let me down, either. When I was planning a trip to Bolivia – one of the least-​visited countries in South America, they had a brand new 2012 Rough Guide specific to Bolivia right there on the shelf! Plus, in case you haven’t heard, all the libraries can now lend e-​books on every platform, including Kindle. I love a good «dead-​tree» book, but the Kindle rocks my world, so I was extra happy when they finally got permission to lend compatible titles. Oh, and did you know that it’s all FREE? I know, right! Why wait, go today.

It’s surprisingly tiny. But understandable since the building is quite old. The staffs are very friendly and helpful! Limited parking. Only 2 hours street parking.

Very nice old library, in fact, the oldest in the St. Paul system.
Built in 1917, this is one of the last of the Carnegie libraries, and only cost $ 25,000 to build.
It is quiet in here, and is filled with students on the internet and a creepy lone dude surfing websites and chat rooms that deal with robots.
Unlike many city libraries I know, this one isn’t filled with homeless drifters who smell like booze and piss and cough every two seconds.
Classy joint. Better than a café who expects you to pay, this is truly a paradise for the unemployed!