Brookdale Library Records

Preceding the building of its first library, Brooklyn Center had service from a Hennepin County Bookmobile. The first library in the village of Brooklyn Center (as it was then known), at 5601 Osseo Road (subsequently named Brooklyn Boulevard), opened on December 29, 1965. It was the first public library built in the United States which received funds from the 1964 Library Services and Construction Act.

The library opened in its current location, 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, in 1981. As the first structure in Hennepin County to be built in compliance with Minnesota's Sustainable Design Guide (now known as B3 Guidelines), it is one of three Hennepin County structures with a library, county courthouse, licensing and records services office, and social service and community corrections offices. Initially, the library's space was 31,400 ft, including three meeting rooms. As the building abuts a swamp and nearby Shingle Creek, native plants were included in the landscaping, using trees, shrubs and plants that thrive in Minnesota's weather and support native animals and insects. A library in Brooklyn Center was part of Hennepin County's long-range library construction program which was published by the 1969 Minnesota State Legislature

The library underwent a major renovation and expansion in 2002-03 and reopened in 2004 in its current location. The library is part of a larger complex that houses district courts and a Hennepin County service center.