Hey there,
I’m ready to talk about library number 5 on The Minnesota Tour of Libraries. Blue Earth Community Library in Blue Earth, MN. Not to be confused with Blue Earth County Library in Mankato. I’ve not visited that one yet, but I got a little confused by this at first when I started my seach, but all is well. I made it to the correct library while visiting some family. This library is a cute little small-town library in the heart of town. We were greeted with a smile the second we walked in the door, and of course our family knows the librarian because Blue Earth is a small community where it seems that everyone knows everyone. We probably spent a little over an hour here and my daughter definitely enjoyed it. She can find enjoyment in pretty much every library we go to, but she will also tell me if it isn’t her favorite thing ever. No complaints on her end from this one, so it must be a goodie. Especially because she won a cool toy after completing the Wizard of Oz Scavenger Hunt (which was difficult for even the adults I might add). I’ll use my daughter as one of the most honest reviewers because she’ll highlight every good and bad thing with most sincerity. I also appreciated this library for how quiet it was, but it certainly wasn’t a place I could just grab a book and find a cozy chair; there weren’t many options to choose from as far as seating- but that’s okay. Not every library can have space for everything. That’s what makes them all unique. So let’s dive in shall we…
Library # 5/381: Blue Earth Community Library
Overall Star Rating
Important Things to Know
- Address: 124 W 7th St, Blue Earth, MN 56013
- Library System: Independent library system for the city of Blue Earth, MN
- Parking: Parking lot and street parking
- Accessibility: Yes
My Ratings
- Book selection: 4/5
- Children’s area: 2/5
- Amenities: 2/5
- Cleanliness: 5/5
- Staff friendliness: 5/5
- Restrooms: 4/5
Best for: Children, families, and quiet computer work. There are no specific private workspace areas or designated reading areas for adults, but the library itself is pretty quiet. In the teen/children’s area there are a few places to sit for reading but that’s about it. It’s placed in the middle of “downtown” Blue Earth with a population approximately 3,000 people. But this includes many people on the outskirts of town- so it’s a fairly non-busy place to be.
Would I come back? Yes
Unique Feature(s):
- Friendliest library staff I’ve ever met. (No, seriously)
- Back room filled with many historical records for Blue Earth
- Large banners on the side of the building with quotes and photos of famous authors
- Free seed library- take seeds for your garden if you need them
Photo
Nearby food/coffee/things to do:
- Pete’s Blue Dirt Road Bar & Grill
- Green Giant Statue Park & Visitor Center
- Brand New Playground- COMING SOON near the Green Giant
- Sprout statues around town
- Blue Earth Swimming Pool
- Putnam Park
- Cedar-Inn Drive In
- Cabin Coffee
As you can see, there’s more to do in Blue Earth than you might think. Even though it’s a small rural town in southern Minnesota doesn’t mean it’s just a bunch of fields. While this is true for the outskirts of town, the center of town has a lot to do. My family and I have done the Sprout Scavenger Hunt when my daughter was about 2-years-old and we had a blast. My daughter would get SO excited every time we found a new one and she gave them all high-fives. We’ve been to the Green Giant multiple times and it’s still as magical as the first time for my daughter. That guy is almost 60 feet tall and weighs about 8,000 pounds. It’s a great photo op and very cool to see in person. So if you’re ever looking for a cute little town to spend the day in + visit the library, I suggest Blue Earth, MN. That’s all for now.
Talk soon,
Corrah
