Just about the only thing visitors won’t find at the new Kaposia Library in South St. Paul is late fees.

The $11.4 million library, which officially opened Tuesday, is the most inclusive and accessible library in Dakota County.

The single-floor library, located at 131 N. Seventh Ave., has 40,000 titles including books in Braille, the latest technology, age-specific hangout areas and an outdoor reading space, said Margaret Stone, director of Dakota County libraries.

“This building is gorgeous,” Stone said. “The community is going to be thrilled when they see it.”

Kaposia marks the 10th library in the Dakota County Library system and it is also the county’s most energy-efficient library, Stone said. As of last month, the Dakota County Library system no longer charges patrons who return items past their due date. Items overdue by 42 days will be considered lost and billed to the account holder.

The land the building sits on was donated by the city of South St. Paul and the lion’s share of the $11.4 million price tag was paid for with funds from the American Rescue Plan, the 2021 federal stimulus package.

Kap’oża

The library’s name comes from Kap’oża, which means “those who travel light” in the Dakota language.

Kap’oża is the name of Dakota leader Little Crow’s band and village that was located along the Mississippi River in the area of what is now recognized as South St. Paul and St. Paul. Little Crow was the name given to generations of Dakota leaders.

In the process of naming the library, Stone said the city and the county spoke with members of the Sioux community and the Prairie Island community to ensure the proper respect and care was paid to the building’s namesake.

“Our Dakota people have and will continue to call this place home,” said Andy Vig, director of the Hoċokata Ṫi cultural center and Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community member. “We appreciate the opportunity to share our history and culture with our neighbors, and the name for the new Kaposia Library does this by honoring those who lived on this land before us,” Vig said.

Inside the new library

Willow Sapletal, 9, of South St. Paul, explores the new Kaposia Library in South St. Paul on opening day Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. The $11.4 million, 16,000 square-foot building, which opened to the public Tuesday, features a quiet room, calming room, meeting and study rooms, along with an enhanced children’s section. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

At 16,000 square feet, the Kaposia Library is able to offer more than the former city-run South St. Paul Library, which spanned 11,000 square feet. Stone said 70 percent of Kaposia’s 40,000 titles came over from the South St. Paul Library.

Carlos Espitia, a youth librarian in South St. Paul, said the children’s section has more than doubled in size at Kaposia.

The children’s space includes interactive learning games, literacy activities and Espitia’s favorite feature, sprawling windows that overlook an outdoor reading space.

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The library also has a dedicated teen space, which Stone anticipates will be used by students from nearby South St. Paul Secondary.

When designing libraries, Stone said, “We try to make them flexible so whatever new technology comes, or new service the community needs, we can pivot,” she said.

Libraries are active, busy places nowadays, Stone said, adding “nobody shushes in libraries anymore.” That’s why Kaposia has a designated quiet zone for people wishing to read without interruption and a calming room with fidget toys for individuals with sensory processing differences or those on the autism spectrum.

The quiet zone, which has a bookshelf of South St. Paul history and yearbooks dating back over a century, also has one of Stone’s favorite features in the whole building:  – a water vapor fireplace.

As for technology, Kaposia leaves little to be desired with tools ranging from sewing machines to Apple computers with Adobe Suites.

Volunteers are available to help people who are interested in learning how to sew, Stone said, adding that she has seen teenagers use library sewing machines to create cosplay costumes.

Newer available technology at Kaposia includes a 3D printer. Stone recalled a time when a library patron used a 3D printer to create a new lid for one of her saucepans.

The library also has study rooms available, conference rooms to reserve and a program room which can be used for club meetings, private classes or author talks, Stone said.

As for the elephant in the room, Stone said with a heavy heart that the library will not offer laser loon library cards (like the ones that were quickly snatched up in the St. Paul Public Library system), but for the sentimental type who wants to continue using their original South St. Paul Library card, you’re in luck. South St. Paul Library cards will all work at Kaposia, Stone said.

‘I grew up in that library’

The South St. Paul Library was a nearly 100-year-old staple of the community, constructed in 1927 when Calvin Coolidge was president.

The South St. Paul Public Library, pictured on March 5, 2020, closed its doors in December 2023 as its titles were moved to the new Kaposia Library just a few blocks away at 131 N. 7th Ave., in South St. Paul. (Jean Pieri / Pioneer Press)

“I grew up in that library, my mom went to that library, my kids went to that library,” said Dakota County Commissioner and Board Chair Joe Atkins, who represents South St. Paul. “It was heart-wrenching when the former library closed,” he said.

Located at the northeast corner of Third and Marie avenues, the South St. Paul Library officially closed its doors last December.

One of the few city-owned and city-run libraries in the state, the South St. Paul Library was loved, but it was not without its shortcomings.

Atkins said time began to wear on the structure and accessibility was an issue at the library, particularly the staircases and tight aisles.

The city looked into renovating the library to address accessibility issues as well as parking and program space, but it would have cost some $4 million to $5 million, said City Administrator Ryan Garcia.

Now the city is in brainstorming mode to figure out the best way to repurpose the beloved building, Garcia said. There are no plans to demolish it, Garcia assured, but there is no obvious answer as to what the building should be used for next.

As for Kaposia, Garcia said the community welcomed it with open arms Tuesday night at the grand opening ceremony.

“Kids are enjoying it, families seem to be enjoying it and it’s a great space for young adults,” Garcia said. “There is a lot already that we weren’t able to accommodate at the old library.”

Stop by Kaposia Library

Where: 131 N. Seventh Ave., South St. Paul
When: Monday -Wednesday: noon to 8 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday: Closed

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