Kaposia Library Project
Case Study
Serving as a vibrant community hub, the Kaposia Library blends modern design with flexible spaces, offering an inviting environment for learning, collaboration, and connection
Kaposia Library
St. Paul, Minnesota
A Long-Awaited Community Asset. BKV Group, in partnership with Dakota County, recently celebrated the grand opening of Kaposia Library in South St. Paul—a project decades in the making. The original library, dating back to 1927, was no longer able to meet the needs of a socioeconomically diverse population or provide the modern services expected in a 21st-century library. Recognizing the importance of a contemporary, inclusive facility, Dakota County selected BKV Group to lead the design and delivery of a library that would serve as a vital hub for the community for generations to come.
Designing for Access, Learning, and Connection
The new 16,000-square-foot, single-level library improves access for all users and offers flexible spaces tailored to a wide range of activities. Key features include:
• Multiple study rooms and meeting spaces to accommodate groups of all sizes.
• A Heritage Room celebrating South St. Paul’s unique history.
• An outdoor reading area, providing a connection to nature and the surrounding community.
• Dedicated children’s and teen spaces, conveniently located across from South St. Paul Secondary School to encourage student engagement.
The thoughtful layout and programming prioritize learning, collaboration, and social connection, making the library a true gathering place for the community.
“ That’s the thing about libraries — they’re not just buildings. They’re places to gather and for children to experience the joy of reading.
KATHLEEN A. GAYLORD
Dakota County Commissioner
Sustainability and Forward-Thinking Design
Kaposia Library was designed with sustainability in mind, aiming to meet or exceed a LEED Silver equivalent in energy efficiency. The project was funded with $11.3 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), ensuring that it could provide long-term value to the community while supporting environmentally responsible building practices. With modern finishes, energy-efficient systems, and flexible public spaces, the new library represents a forward-looking investment in South St. Paul’s civic and cultural life.
Dakota County Calming Room
Dakota County Library has a long-standing commitment to supporting patrons of all types, and within their system, each branch has a Calming Room located adjacent to the Children’s Area and available for patrons as needed.
The system collaborated with the Autism Society of Minnesota and Fraser, a non-profit providing healthcare and inclusion services for children, teens, adults and families, to develop a Calming Space guide, which accompanies each of their rooms. This packet gives users a sense of agency and empowerment to feel comfortable, safe, and grounded within the room. It provides information about the space, its use, and the role each user plays in preparing the space for the next visitor.
SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT RESOURCES
Calming Space Guide
The Calming Space includes many tools designed to help visitors feel calm. The Calming Space Guide explains the available items and how to use them. It helps users locate what they need to feel calm and shows where each item is stored. Everything in the Calming Space is kept in its proper place so that it is easy for all visitors to find and use.
Accessibility Kit
The library offers tools to help visitors feel calm while in the space. The Accessibility Kit includes items such as noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, fidgets, and other supports. Visitors can request the kit from a librarian at the desk. After use, all items are returned to the librarian so they are available for others.
Marble Wall Panel
The room includes a Marble Wall Panel for visitors to use. The panel allows users to observe the different colors of the marbles as they move in the light, feel the smooth texture with their hands, and hear the sounds the marbles make when manipulated.
Timers
The room provides Timers to help visitors manage their time in the space. Timers allow users to see how much time has passed and plan their activities, supporting a sense of structure and control while using the Calming Space.
Timers
Marble Wall Panel
Accessibility Kit
Calming Space Guide
At Kaposia Library, we incorporated the following features and elements into the space design and planning, centered on the library system’s overall commitment to provide “spaces which are specially designed for individuals who need a comforting space to regulate while at the library.”
Room Features:
• Soothing color palette
• Durable finishes and materials
• A comfortable, low seat for sharing or varied body positions.
• Bean bag chair
• Adjustable lighting
• White noise machine
Tools and Manipulatives:
• Noise-reducing headphones
• Weighted blanket
• Fidgets
• Wall-mounted sensory interactive
• Accessibility kit including tactile objects, timer, sunglasses to further reduce visual input