Flashback to fall of 1992: Wal-Mart and Comfort Inn have just moved to Devils Lake. Students attend Devils Lake High School for the first time. The Carnegie Library, located at 423 6th St, has been a popular hangout spot for Central High School students as well as the general community.
December 1992: it is determined that a new library is needed due to, “lack of handicapped accessibility, lack of space, [and] having to turn children away from summer reading program due to lack of space and staff.” The main concerns of the board? “A place safe for children to ride their bikes, and for the elderly in Devils Lake to walk to.”
November of 1993: fundraising has been going strong all year, and now a measure on the ballot includes allocating a small portion of the City of Devils Lake’s sales tax towards the new library, which passes with a large majority. Fundraising continues for nearly a decade to make this dream a reality.
March 2001: the NorthStar building is confirmed as the site for the new public library at the city commission meeting. However, after years of back-and-forth with commissions, attorneys, architects, and community input, it is eventually determined that two lots slightly northeast from downtown will instead house the new public library, name to be determined.
December 2002: the new library will officially be called the Lake Region Public Library, and the address will be 423 7th St NE.
April 2003: construction begins!
November 26, 2003: the Carnegie Library, having served the City of Devils Lake for over 93 years, closes its doors.
December 22, 2003: the Lake Region Public Library opens its doors to the Lake Region as a city and county public library.
Present Day: The Lake Region Public Library in 2023 remains for the most part physically unchanged from its opening 20 years ago. The paint color is the same. The layout is the same. The fluorescent lights are the same. For all the things that have remained constant, I am happy to say that the culture of the library also continues to strive to be accessible, equitable, and welcoming to all. When you walk into the library, you are greeted by a friendly, caring, and knowledgeable staff who can answer questions from how to navigate the Dewey Decimal System to local social services resources. We are so, so thankful to our patrons in Devils Lake, Ramsey County, and beyond for supporting the Lake Region Public Library for the past 20 years, and we are looking forward to the next 20 years – and beyond.
Please join us on Sunday, December 3rd from 2-4 p.m. for festive treats, remarks from library board and design committee members from 2003, and a bookish silent auction. All month long, sponsor a book for $5 to have your name permanently placed in the library book of your choice, and pick up a special edition anniversary library card. If you haven’t visited in a while, please consider this your official invitation back; pop in, browse our 43,000 materials, chat with our staff, or just exist in a welcoming community space. I can’t wait to see you.
-Maddie Cummings, Library Director
