As part of the approved 2026-2027 budget, opens a new window, Ramsey County made the difficult decision to close Ramsey County Library-Shoreview on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will be increasing rental book fees from 25 cents to 50 cents per day starting January 1, 2026.
This budget reflects the county’s commitment to fiscal responsibility while centering the county’s vision, mission, goals and values. As a result of staff reductions, and after carefully reviewing factors such as proximity to vulnerable populations, access to other libraries or community centers, and transportation options, the county determined that a Friday closure at the Shoreview location would have the least impact on the most vulnerable residents who rely on services. The county also prioritized keeping evening and weekend hours available for families and residents who work standard weekday schedules. No additional reductions or closures are anticipated at this time. We hope to maintain the remaining hours at the current service level.
To keep up with inflationary expenses, rental book fees will increase from 25 cents per day to 50 cents per day. This increase will maintain the self-sustainability of the rental book collection which was originally founded by the Ramsey County Library Friends. All fees collected are used to purchase new popular titles for the collection.
The Ramsey County Library is a core county-responsible service that provides literacy resources and essential internet access for free to community members. The Library continues to provide access to books and materials that are relevant, balanced, and free of censorship. These materials are informational, educational, meet the recreational needs of community members, and they are reflective of a variety of perspectives, cultures, and topics.
Find more information on Ramsey County’s budget., opens a new window