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Aug. 12 marked the official groundbreaking ceremony for the new public library building for North Branch. Its current location in downtown North Branch is in the need of many repairs and lacks space. The Chisago County Board of Commissioners approved the building of the North Branch Library under the recommendation of ECRL Board of Trustees and various Library Task Forces.

The site is just south of the new fire hall, along U.S. Highway 61, and the building will be approximately 14,000 square feet.

North Branch Mayor gloria Karsky stated, “This is a great day for the city of North Branch and surrounding areas.” Mayor Karsky also outlined the significant support that residents of the North Branch area have given to the North Branch Library Project through a petition signed by more than 600 residents and financial support provided by the city.

Those who in attendance included State Representative Pete Nelson, State Senator Sean Nienow, County Commissioners Lora Walker, Rick Olseen and Ben Montzka; East Central Regional Trustee Verna Hoppe, East Central Regional Library Director Bob Boese, North Branch City Council members Jon Pace and Kathy Blomquist, KKE Architect Sarah Weiner, members of the Friends of the North Branch Library and the general public.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2005 and the North Branch Library will operate under the current East Central Regional Library System.

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