Riverview Library
🏢 Saint Paul Public Library · St. Paul, Minnesota
Riverview Library
Opened in 1916, Riverview Library is one of only three Carnegie libraries ever built in St. Paul — a Beaux-Arts landmark on the West Side, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and still serving one of the city's most diverse immigrant neighborhoods as a branch of the Saint Paul Public Library.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 12pm–8pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 12pm–8pm |
| Thursday | 10am–8pm |
| Friday | 10am–5:30pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5:30pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 1 East George Street, St. Paul, MN 55107
Phone: (651) 292-6626
Website: sppl.org
Plus Code: 86P8WWH8+X4 (St. Paul, MN)
📱 Scan for directions
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👋 Use the Library Online
📍 Plan your visit
🚉 Getting there
1 George St E, St Paul, MN 55107. Get transit & driving directions → (live subway, bus & car routes).
🚘 Parking
Free street parking nearby.
♿ Accessibility
Includes wheelchair-accessible entrance.
⭐ Visitor rating
4.6 / 5 from 54 Google reviews.
🕑 Best time to go
Usually calmest soon after opening; busiest around 5 pm.
Visit details from the library’s Google Business Profile, verified October 2026 — confirm on official page before a special-date trip.
📖 About Riverview Library
Riverview Library sits at the corner of George Street and Humboldt Avenue on St. Paul's West Side, in a 1916 Beaux-Arts building financed by Andrew Carnegie. It is one of only three Carnegie libraries built in St. Paul — alongside the near-identical St. Anthony Park and Arlington Hills branches — and among the last American libraries constructed with Carnegie Foundation funding. Plans for all three were prepared by St. Paul city architect Charles A. Hausler early in his career, and the building was erected by Cameron and Company. Its most celebrated feature is the abundant natural light drawn in through enormous windows; architecture critic Larry Millett has called it one of the West Side's finest buildings. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places on February 10, 1984, Riverview was built to serve the immigrant families who settled the West Side, a role it continues today within the Saint Paul Public Library, a system of 13 locations across Ramsey County. The library is now the subject of a community-driven transformation project — supported by a $2 million Knight Foundation grant announced in December 2025 — to restore and expand the historic branch with a new accessible entrance and reading garden.
⭐ What makes this library special
- One of only three Carnegie libraries built in St. Paul (1916), and one of the last American libraries funded by the Carnegie Foundation
- Beaux-Arts landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places since February 10, 1984 (NRHP #84001672)
- Designed under St. Paul city architect Charles A. Hausler — an early project of his career — and praised by critic Larry Millett as one of the West Side's finest buildings
- Accessible lower-level entrance with elevator to the main floor on the Humboldt Avenue side; after-hours book return available
- Subject of a community-designed restoration backed by a $2 million Knight Foundation grant (announced December 2025)
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your Saint Paul Public Library card unlocks statewide and streaming digital resources free:
📚 Services
- Public computers, free Wi-Fi, and printing
- Reservable meeting room and pop-up meeting kits
- Lucky Day collection — popular new titles available on a first-come basis
- After-hours book return
- Accessible entrance on the lower level with elevator to the main floor (Humboldt Avenue side)
- Holds pickup from across all Saint Paul Public Library and MELSA metro locations
- Free interlibrary loan through the MELSA seven-county metro consortium
- Homework help and reading recommendations for all ages
🎸 Programs
- Weekly early-literacy storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers
- After-school and summer programs for West Side children and teens
- Community meetings and neighborhood events in the reservable meeting room
- Adult learning, digital-literacy and job-search support
- Multilingual services reflecting the West Side's immigrant community
📍 Nearby Libraries in St. Paul & the Twin Cities
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in St. Paul · Browse all Minnesota libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does Riverview Library have a seed library?
Yes. Riverview Library hosts the volunteer-run Growing West Side Seed Library, where you can pick up free vegetable, herb and flower seed packets during open hours — no checkout process and no card required. Growers are encouraged to let some plants go to seed and return a portion for neighbors the following year. Learn more in our guide to seed libraries.
What does Riverview Library offer for children and students?
The West Side branch has a dedicated Children's Specialist and offers free homework help during the school year. It also provides six public internet computers plus a word-processing station and a meeting room, serving the historically immigrant West Side neighborhood the Carnegie building was designed for in 1916.
Why is Riverview Library historically significant?
Riverview is one of only three Carnegie libraries ever built in St. Paul, opened in 1916 with funding from Andrew Carnegie, and one of the last American libraries constructed with Carnegie Foundation money. Designed in the Beaux-Arts style under city architect Charles A. Hausler and built by Cameron and Company, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 10, 1984 (reference #84001672). Architecture critic Larry Millett has described it as one of the West Side's finest buildings.
What are Riverview Library's hours?
Riverview Library is open Monday 12:00 PM–8:00 PM, Tuesday 10:00 AM–8:00 PM, Wednesday 12:00 PM–8:00 PM, Thursday 10:00 AM–8:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM–5:30 PM. It is closed on Sunday. Hours can change on holidays, so check sppl.org or call (651) 292-6626 before visiting.
Is Riverview Library wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Because the historic 1916 building sits above street level, Riverview provides an accessible entrance on the lower level, on the Humboldt Avenue side, with an elevator to the main floor. Street parking is available along George Street and Humboldt Avenue, and an after-hours book return is provided outside.
Is Riverview Library being renovated?
The Saint Paul Public Library is co-creating a transformation of Riverview with the West Side community. Building designs unveiled in 2022 call for a new accessible entrance attached to the historic library and a reading garden where the current entrance stands, along with modernized interior spaces. In December 2025 the Knight Foundation awarded a $2 million grant to support the project. Check sppl.org for the latest schedule and any temporary service changes.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
