The Fargo Public Library’s design architects for the New Main Library are Meyer, Scherer and Rockcastle of Minneapolis. This firm specializes in the design of libraries, including the US Senate Library, the new St. Cloud Public Library, the restoration of the St. Paul Central Library, and the addition to the Detroit Lakes original Carnegie library. Jack Poling, Jeff Mandyck, Traci Lesneski, and Greta Foster have been the primary architects and designers involved in the design process over the last three years.

MS&R has its own blog, and recently they posted an entry describing some of the concepts and materials that went into our New Main Library. You can read it here, and then let us know what you think by leaving a comment.

While downtown Fargo is temporarily without a library until April 25 when the New Main Library opens, we thought we would give some glimpses into what will be coming in the new library. For those driving by on 1st Avenue North, you can already see many things happening inside the library.

As part of those glimpses inside, you may see some very bright colors. There are bright yellow-greens, orange, magenta, various shades of blue, and summery golds. For some folks, these colors may be, well, a bit interesting.

The colors within the new library have their roots in the public meetings held in 2005 and 2006. When the architects from Meyer, Scherer and Rockcastle asked those attending the public forums what they wanted in a new library, there were several comments along the lines of “Fargo is white and grey six months of the year; we don’t want a white and grey library anymore.�

The architects listened. At the next meeting, they came back with a concept board. This board was a collage of photographs taken in North Dakota. As they presented it, Jeff Scherer and Jack Poling said, “look around you; there are many colors here in your region.� And yes, there are. There is the intense yellow-green of the first shoots of corn in the fields. There is the bright reddish pink of a prairie sunset. There is the glowing orange of sunrise on the plains. Yes, there are somber colors of brown and grey as fields lie dormant for the winter. But to balance that there are the brilliant blue skies, gold sunflowers, and purple canola fields in bloom.

The concept board with the photographs and paint colors pulled from the photos is on display at our Carlson Branch, along with the floor plans for the New Main Library. As the plans have gone through revisions and slight adjustments, the concept board and the colors have stayed constant.

So even during this week when we returned to a white world outside, as we work inside the New Main we are surrounded by the colors of our landscape.

Teen game night, a special Dr. Seuss storytime, a visit with “Clifford the Big Red Dog� and Saturday storytime at the Northport Branch are some of  the upcoming events hosted by the Fargo Public Library this week.

First, teens are invited to the community room at the Dr. James Carlson Library for Rock Band® and Wii® starting at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 5. Contact Teen Librarian Bree Schmidt at 476-5978 or bschmidt@cityoffargo.com for details.

Kids who love Dr. Seuss stories can join us Friday, March 6 to celebrate “Read Across America� at the Dr. James Carlson Library from 1 to 2p.m.  During this special storytime event, radio personalities from local radio station MoJo 104.7 will read classic Dr. Seuss stories and kids can even create their own Dr. Seuss characters.  No registration is required. For more information, call the Children’s Librarian at 241-1495.

Our “Read Across Americaâ€� event also includes a children’s book drive. New or gently used children’s books can be dropped off at the Dr. James Carlson Library (or any Fargo Public Library location) now through March 6. Books will be considered for the library collection or donated to area non-profit organizations in an effort to provide kids access to books and reading opportunities.

On Friday, March 6, youngsters will have a chance to meet “Clifford the Big Red Dog� at a starting at 2 p.m. community room of the Dr. James Carlson Library. No registration required for this storytime event. This program is geared for kids age 6 and under. For more information, call Children’s Services at 241-1495.

On Saturday, March 7, the Fargo Public Library is offering Saturday Storytime starting at 10 a.m. for preschoolers and toddlers at the library’s Northport Branch ( 2714 N. Broadway). No registration is required. Contact Children’s Services at 241-1495 for information.

Finally, the National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota will offer a “Braille Readers are Leaders� event to introduce the community to the services, resources and materials available to all ages. This event is open to the public; no registration is required. Contact Melisa Duncan at 476-4076 or email mduncan@cityoffargo.com for details.

Fargo Public Library events are free and open to the public. Adults must accompany children 10 and under.

People with disabilities who plan to attend Fargo Public Library events and need special accommodations should contact Beth Postema at 701-241-8198 or TDD at 241-8258. Please contact us at least three business days in advance of the event to give our staff adequate time to make arrangements.

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Movers and the Fargo Public Library staff will begin moving the library’s collection into the new main library beginning this week. Moving the library’s collection from the temporary location at 408 Roberts St. into the new building at 102 3^rd St. N. will start between 8:30 and 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3.

Fargo’s new main Library is set to open to the public on Saturday, April 25 at 10 a.m.

The Fargo Public Library’s temporary downtown branch at 408 Roberts Street is closing for good.

Join us in saying farewell at an open house on Friday, Feb. 27 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the 408 Roberts Street location. Musical guest Tabb will kick off the celebration, followed by a poetry reading with Ken Bennett, Dan Nygard, Erik Myer, and friends. Refreshments will also be served.

The new main library at 102 3rd St. North is scheduled to open Saturday, April 25.

Crafts for teens and the Kids’ Book Club are some of  the upcoming programs at the Fargo Public Library.

First, teens are invited to the library to make “marble magnets� on Thursday, Feb. 12 starting at 4:30 p.m. in the community room at the Dr. James Carlson Library (2801 32^nd Ave. S.). Space is limited; pre-registration is required. For details or to register for this teen craft event, contact the Teen Librarian at 476-5978 or at bschmidt@cityoffargo.com, or check out the Teen Services page .

Next, all interested readers in grades four through six can join us for “Kids’ Book Clubâ€� on Saturday, Feb. 14 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Dr. James Carlson Library. This month’s featured title is Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett. Space is limited; pre-registration is required. Call Children’s Services at 241-1495 or email askchildrens@cityoffargo.com to register. More information can also be found at the Children’s Services page.

Fargo Public Library events are free and open to the public. Adults must accompany children 10 and under.

People with disabilities who plan to attend Fargo Public Library events and need special accommodations should contact Beth Postema at 701-241-8198 or TDD at 241-8258. Please contact us at least three business days in advance of the event to give our staff adequate time to make arrangements.

starting Saturday, Feb. 7, the Fargo Public Library will begin monthly Saturday Storytimes on the first Saturday of every month starting at 10 a.m. for preschoolers and toddlers at the library’s Northport Branch ( 2714 N. Broadway). No registration is required. Call the Children’s Librarian at 241-1495 for information.

Teens are invited to the community room at the Dr. James Carlson Library for Rock Band® and Wii® starting at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5. Contact Teen Librarian Bree Schmidt at 476-5978 or bschmidt@cityoffargo.com for details.

Next, kids who love stories and big trucks can enjoy both when Max D, driver of the monster truck “Maximum Destruction”, visits the Dr. James Carlson Library on Friday, Feb. 6. During this special storytime event, Max D will talk about monster trucks, sign autographs and read a story or two about trucks. This event will begin at 11 a.m. in the community room of the library. For more information, call the Children’s Librarian at 241-1495. This unique storytime event is geared for kids up to six years old.

Also on Friday, Feb. 6, youngsters will have a chance to meet “Corduroy Bear” at a special storytime and visit starting at 2 p.m. community room of the Dr. James Carlson Library. No registration required. This storytime event is geared for kids age 6 and under. For more information, call the Children’s Librarian at 241-1495.

Learn how to research your family history with a class on Ancestry® Library Edition on Monday, Feb. 2 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the community room at the Dr. James Carlson Library. Taught by staff from the North Dakota State Library, this informational workshop will teach search techniques to get you started in genealogy research using this online resource available only at your library. The class is repeated from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required. To register, visit the Dr. James Carlson Library’s Reference Desk or call 476-5980.