R.H. Stafford Library Project

  1. Project Overview
  2. Public Involvement
  3. Schedule

The existing R.H. Stafford Library, located at 8595 Central Park Place in Woodbury, is approximately  30,000 square feet on the main level and 9,000 square feet on the lower level.  The facility has become outdated and needs significant improvements. As currently configured, the Library’s public spaces and staff only spaces lack flexibility to accommodate current and future needs.  

The project will study the existing facility relative to future growth needs to determine how best to utilize the current building and site.  Throughout the project, the project team will gather community feedback to understand community needs and how to incorporate those needs into the project design.  

Project Goals and Design Considerations 

R.H. Stafford Library's redesign will reflect priorities outlined in Washington County's Strategic Plan and Washington County Library's Strategic Plan.  Project goals include, but are not limited to: 

  • Responsive, High-Traffic Design: R.H. Stafford Library is the fifth busiest library in Minnesota and the third busiest library in the Twin Cities area. The building design and furnishings must be appropriate for a high-traffic space and facilitate easy movement throughout the library.
  • Safe and Welcoming Spaces: Create flexible and inclusive spaces for library services, events, and technology. The design will include quiet, collaborative, and active spaces that purposefully welcome different groups, including children, families, teens, remote workers, seniors, and more.
  • Literacy-Rich Environments: Provide a children’s area that invites children and families to engage in creative play and learning via varied opportunities for reading, writing, speaking and listening.
  • Effective Work Areas: Provide staff workspaces and technology that prioritize well-being, ergonomics, efficient materials processing, and collaboration.
  • Fiscal Responsibility: Provide Washington County with the highest value for its budget and maintain fiscal responsibility within its long-range financial plan. 
  • Sustainability: Provide a Washington County facility emphasizing energy efficiency, well-being, accessibility, flexibility and adaptability for meeting future demands and needs of the community.