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Coming soon! Our building is under construction and moving along quickly! 
The new Community Learning Center will include:
– the new home for the Independence Public Library
– a flexible Community Room that has a demonstration kitchen for hosting gatherings, classes, and more!
– an expansion of the Independence Food Pantry
– an after-school Youth Center with 3 classroom spaces
 
Stop in any time during open hours to see the plans and talk with staff about the project. Below, see renderings and behind-the-scenes peeks from the construction site. To receive updates, follow our Facebook page or subscribe to our email newsletter. Check back here often for newly release images of the site.

One year ago, our community received a remarkable gift in the funding that made construction of our new library and community center possible. That moment marked the beginning of a shared dream taking root in Independence.

Since then, our vision has continued to grow. What began as an idea is now becoming a reality: a welcoming space that will bring people together to learn, connect, and thrive.

Our new building will be home to:

  • An expanded library with flexible spaces for reading, learning, and creativity

  • A youth center where children and teens can explore, play, and discover

  • A teaching kitchen and food pantry to nourish both body and mind

  • Private spaces for telehealth appointments, job interviews, and tutoring

  • Eco-friendly features such as rooftop solar panels and sustainable design

Now, as construction moves forward, we’re launching the next chapter: Rooted in Community: A Foundation that Grows With Us, a capital campaign to help furnish, equip, and sustain this vital new space for years to come.

This campaign is about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about investing in people; in our neighbors, families, and future. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps this shared dream grow stronger.

Join us in building a place where everyone belongs, where learning and community take root, and where growth is something we nurture together.

Using the information we got from our 2022 survey and our 2024 listening sessions, we put together a proposal for a community center that would be able to expand many services and bring many new opportunities to our city! Our proposal received the highest score of all applicants, and the Library was awarded $4.1 million dollars to cover the construction costs for this new building. We’re hopeful to only need to fundraise for furniture, program supplies, high-efficiency equipment upgrades, and other finishing touches.

Click the play button to see a virtual walkthrough of the new community center.

The Independence Public Library is spearheading the creation of a Community Learning Center (CLC) for the City of Independence that will serve as a hub for essential services. This center will integrate the public library, a youth center, an expanded food pantry, a community urban garden with historic walking paths, a community room, and an outdoor learning classroom.

The Library recently accepted a $4.1 Million dollar grant that will cover the majority of the costs associated with the new facility.

Stay tuned for ways to get involved, make a donation, volunteer your time, and give feedback!

 

 

 

October 7, 2024 – Library Director Kayla Mathson accepted our $4.1M award and addressed Governor Tony Evers and other rural community leaders on the impact that this grant funding will have on our community at an event in River Falls.