Wescott Library
🏢 Dakota County Library · Eagan, Minnesota
Wescott Library
Opened in 1981 as both a public library and the administrative headquarters of Dakota County's 10-branch system, Wescott Library anchors Eagan with one of the metro's most fully equipped iLAB Creative Spaces — audio production, 3D printing, Adobe Creative Suite and media digitization, all free to any cardholder.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9am–8pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–5pm |
| Sunday | 1pm–5pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 1340 Wescott Road, Eagan, MN 55123
Phone: (651) 450-2900
Website: dakotacountymn.gov
Plus Code: 86P8RR9P+4J (Eagan, MN)
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📖 About Wescott Library
Wescott Library has served Eagan residents since 1981 as the flagship branch and administrative headquarters of the Dakota County Library, a public system established in 1969 that today spans 10 locations across a county of approximately 420,000 residents. The building at 1340 Wescott Road combines full public library services with the system's central administration — a uniquely dual-purpose facility in the Twin Cities metro. Patrons benefit from six reservable meeting and study spaces, including the large Dakota Room, plus public computers, Wi-Fi, printing, scanning and faxing. A Self-Service Hours program unlocks building access from 6am to 11pm every day of the year, including holidays, for registered cardholders. Wescott Library is a member of MELSA (Metropolitan Library Service Agency), connecting Eagan residents to shared resources across the seven-county metro.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Administrative headquarters of the 10-branch Dakota County Library system since opening in 1981
- iLAB Creative Space: audio production sound booth, 3D printers, Adobe Creative Suite (Mac & PC), VHS/8mm/slide digitization, sewing machines with mentor appointments, Silhouette Cameo paper cutter, button maker and laminator — all free to use
- Self-Service Hours: registered adult cardholders access the building 6am–11pm every day including holidays — well beyond staffed hours
- smARTpass via MELSA — free or discounted admission to 40+ Twin Cities arts organizations, theaters and museums
- ELM (Electronic Library for Minnesota): 40+ research databases, newspapers and learning tools free for all MN public library cardholders
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Dakota County Library cardholders unlock Minnesota's ELM databases, e-books and learning tools — all free with a library card:
📚 Services
- iLAB Creative Space with audio production booth, 3D printers (Ultimaker 2+ Connect), Adobe Creative Suite (Mac & PC), VHS/8mm/negative/photo digitization, sewing machines + mentor appointments, Silhouette Cameo paper/vinyl cutter, button maker and laminator
- Self-Service extended hours — 6am to 11pm daily for registered adult cardholders
- Six reservable meeting and study spaces including the large Dakota Room and private study pods
- Public computers, Wi-Fi, printing, scanning and faxing
- 2Go Kits: borrowable kits for fitness, nature exploration, STEM/maker activities, life skills and caregiver support
- smARTpass: free or discounted admission to 40+ Twin Cities arts organizations (via MELSA)
- NoveList Plus and Book Match personalized reading recommendations
- Interlibrary loan (ILL) — borrow from libraries statewide and nationwide
- Curbside pickup and home delivery services for eligible patrons
🎸 Programs
- Adult programs: Fix-It Clinics, Learn to Sew, Get Creative (arts & crafts), music events, author series
- iLAB sewing and 3D printing mentorship — one-on-one appointment assistance
- Book discussion groups with book group kits
- English Language Learner resources and programming
- Career and job search coaching via LearningExpress and JobNow!
- Children's literacy programming via BookFlix and TumbleBook Library
- Teen programs and STEM activities
📍 Nearby Libraries in Dakota County & the Twin Cities
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the iLAB Creative Space at Wescott Library?
The iLAB at Wescott is one of the most fully equipped makerspaces in the Dakota County Library system. It offers a sound-proof audio production booth, 3D printers (Ultimaker 2+ Connect with PLA filament provided), Adobe Creative Suite on both Mac and PC, equipment to digitize VHS tapes, 8mm film, slides, negatives and photos, sewing machines (Janome Schoolmate) with one-on-one mentor appointments, a Silhouette Cameo paper/vinyl cutter, a button maker and a laminator. All equipment is free to use for anyone with a Dakota County Library card.
Can I access Wescott Library outside of regular staffed hours?
Yes. Dakota County Library's Self-Service Hours program lets registered adult cardholders (18+) enter any of the 10 branch locations from 6am to 11pm, seven days a week including holidays — well beyond the regular staffed hours of 9am–8pm Mon–Thu, 9am–5pm Fri–Sat, and 1–5pm Sun. Registration requires watching a short video, completing a form and picking up an access card at any branch.
What is the Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM), and does my Dakota County card give me access?
ELM is a statewide consortium of research databases funded for all Minnesota public library cardholders. Your Dakota County Library card gives you free 24/7 home access to EBSCO databases, Britannica, job search tools, health resources, genealogy databases and more through elm4you.org — no in-library visit required. The library also provides Libby for e-books and eBooks Minnesota for unlimited access to independent Minnesota publisher titles.
Is Wescott Library the main library for all of Dakota County?
Wescott Library serves as the flagship branch and administrative headquarters for the Dakota County Library, a 10-branch public system established in 1969. Your single Dakota County Library card works at all 10 branches — including Pleasant Hill, Burnhaven, Galaxie, Heritage, Farmington, Wentworth, Inver Glen, South St. Paul and Hastings — and also provides access to digital resources through MELSA (the seven-county metro consortium) and ELM statewide.
🧰 This library lends a “Library of Things.” See what you can borrow besides books and find other libraries with a Library of Things Library of Things by state.
🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.
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