Welcome, welcome everybody. I am so excited to be here today. My name is Maureen Hartman. I have the great honor of being the library director of the Saint Paul Public Library and um no better day uh exists in the life of a library director to get a new project started, to invest in a library that's been so important um to this community and to make it even better, to make it a space where new residents can come and find their services, where long-term residents um will find that they belong as well. And so I couldn't be prouder to do this. This is part of um a multi-million-dollar public-private partnership uh between the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, the City of Saint Paul, the State of Minnesota, the United States government, and every other community member that has advocated and stood up for the importance of a library in this community for generations. And so I couldn't be prouder than this. I was telling um all the folks up here today that the history of libraries, especially this library, the history of libraries is women organizing for services in their community. And to have um such a talented and successful group of women leaders now leading uh this library system and at every level could not be more exciting to me. The women um and families uh the greater East Side started organizing in the late 1930s for a library that was first at the Hayden Heights School and then um moved in 1955 to the House of Clocks, which is across the street. Now the House of Clocks, it was a library. It was not a clock library. And then to this building in 1977. So we're so excited to keep investing in this library and make it a place for everybody. And nobody has been a more of a champion and a supporter than Mayor Carter. And so, I'm going to turn it over to her to make a few remarks. Hi everyone. Thank you for being here for the groundbreaking. I I I think many of you know this about me, but I love libraries. And growing up, that was the place that my parents took us in order for us to see the world because we didn't have the income to travel or to have experiences. And so, we did that through books and libraries. And so, that's why I think it is so important for us to continue to invest in the infrastructure and make sure that people can have access to libraries. And this is just more than a place that holds books. It is a place for resources for people. It is a place for us to be able to secure jobs. It is where we get training for different initiatives or things that are happening at the city. And it's also the place in which like people gather. And so, I think it is so important for us to continue to make sure that libraries can fit all of those needs cuz we are asking more and more. And so, that means that we have to invest into our library infrastructure. And when I first came on board, I asked Melvin how many libraries we had and you told me 13. I said, "We only have 13?" And so, like I hope that we can get more libraries one day, but we'll start with this one. And the groundbreaking today is super exciting. And so, and I'm so grateful that I get to have some fantastic partner in this work because it did take all of us to come together to fund this library. And I think I'm turning it over to Council Member Yang, right? For she's been a huge champion of this library as well. And this is in her ward. And so, Council Member Yang. Thank you, Mayor Her. Hi everybody. I'm Nelsie Yang, the Council Vice President on the St. Paul City Council. This is my ward here that I love so much. I just a bit about me, I was elected in 2019. When I first started, I was the first Hmong American woman to serve on the St. Paul City Council and also the youngest person ever. I was just 23. And I just want to say like I mean, I know it's a gloomy day. We just saw a bit of the rain, but we're that's not going to stop us from having a great time, right? At the groundbreaking here. Yeah. So, I want to say thank you for being here. And one one thing I just want to share is that when I first ran for office, um that was like 7 years ago, there were um a lot of our East Side residents, they talked about like wanting to see the their fair share um from the city in terms of investments. And we're there were top three top issues that always came up when I was at the doors, when I was talking on the phones. And the first one was potholes, all right? They wanted better streets, they wanted the potholes filled. The second one was that they really wanted to see an updated and new rec center in the East Side here. And the third one was they wanted to see our libraries renovated in the East Side because they have seen how outdated our facilities here are and how needed um it is for us to have better technology, better resources in our libraries and our public facilities. And I'm so so proud that today we are here at the groundbreaking for the Hayden Heights Library. This is phenomenal. And it is truly a testament to the collective work that was made possible from our staff in Saint Paul Public Libraries, our elected officials from the city level all the way through the federal government, also the collective power of our community organizations, nonprofits that came together to make it happen, residents as well. I want to give a shout out to Lisa Thies, executive director of the uh District 2 Community Council, also the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Libraries. I mean, they have been huge champions for this and so many residents just came together continue to push for this year after year. And that collective power is what made this possible. So, I really wanted to highlight that. When we see the final product of the library here, I mean, we're going to see a space that is um that is accessible to kids, families with disabilities, and also like to see, you know, even private spaces for them to be able to have meetings, to have a play space for our kids, the green space as well for people to be outside. And you know, just overall like better um resources and technology for people to do what they want to do. And I love it so much that right now libraries it's not just a place for you to come and stay study and read. It's a place where you can come and mingle to be able to have meetings to be able to be in community to come and just really be yourself and play and that's what I love so much about libraries. Love taking my my kids and my husband we come here this is our neighborhood library and so we care so deeply about this place. I want to say thank you all for your love and investment in the East Side and in the Hayden Heights library here and let's get to the final the final the the finish line for this library here, right? Thanks everybody. Okay, good morning everyone. I'm Representative Liz Lee and um welcome to to my library. Um I um am very proud to be sharing this groundbreaking uh with all of you because this library has been my library for nearly 30 years since my parents bought their very first house here in 1997. And I also understand you know it was in the mid-1990s that was the last time this library was renovated. So I know how excited everyone is um but um as as a resident of the East Side and as a daughter of the East Side who grew up here we are ecstatic. This project will make the library more inclusive, accessible, and safe for all of us, patrons and staff. I'm also proud of the many streams of funding that have been braided to make this a reality. It has been tough to fund anything in our tight legislature here in Minnesota, but I'm proud that our Congresswoman Betty McCollum was able to secure nearly 3.7 million dollars for this. Yes, and we should clap. Um and all of this while you know we we wait for state funding to be released from gridlock, right? And so like Councilmember Yang said this has been a project that's been many years in the making. Um so so glad and and thank you to our Congressman who couldn't be here um but thank you to her and the private funders and the friends of the public library to make this project a reality in this year. I also want to note that uh Uh, you know as as AI and technology become larger parts of our everyday lives, it's important that kids in every corner of our state have access to learning about these new technologies in a safe and neutral place and how to use these tools so that they can be ready for the jobs of the future. 30 years from now, I want someone who lives in the new development at the Heights to be able to ride their bike here like I did many years ago to use the resources here. So, thanks again to all our partners and here's to the future of the East Side with a new library. Oh, and then next we have Charlie Hayman from Congresswoman Betty McCollum's office. Thank you. I've got a quick letter to read from the Congresswoman. Dear friends, thank you for your kind invitation to attend the Hayden Heights Library groundbreaking today. I regret that I'm unable to join you in person, but I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings as you gather to mark this occasion. This project reflects the power of partnership at the local, state, and federal levels to invest in communities and ensure residents have access to the resources they need. The renovation of the Hayden Heights Library represents a forward-looking investment in innovation, opportunity, and accessible for St. Paul's East Side. I'm proud to have supported this effort through federal funding including securing $3.6 million in community funding. These investments will help transform Hayden Heights into a welcoming, accessible, and flexible space that reflects the cultures of the community while incorporating high energy efficiency, sustainability, and climate resilience. They will also expand access to technology, digital resources, and turn residents have the tools, connectivity, and support they need to navigate an increasingly online world whether for education, employment, or everyday services. This project is also a testament to strong collaboration. The St. Paul Public Library, alongside community organizations, local leaders, and residents, has worked to ensure this vision meets the needs of the neighborhood. Their partnership is and input have helped ensure this library will truly reflect and serve this community. With its strong connection to the surrounding community, the renovated Hayden Heights Library will be a space for people to gather, learn, and thrive. Thank you again for the invitation and for your continued dedication to strengthening our communities. Oh, yes, of course. Thank you so much. Best for last, but I won't be I will I will be very very I will be very very short. I was I had just had a meeting in White Bear and then and I was making my I actually I live about five blocks down, so I'm the closest one. This is my library here, you know, before the I served in Senate, I had a little bit more time then, so I this is my library and my favorite library of of of all. Sorry, St. Paul other libraries. And you know, in the bonding request this year, what's the Chair Pappas asked me, "What's your priority?" I I picked Hayden Heights. But, thank you for the work that you did in fundraising, getting contribution from many area, many philanthropic philanthropy groups. So, thank you for the good work. I'm just here to celebrate, so cheers for Hayden Heights. Thank you. I'll wrap this up. My name is Diana Canopka. I'm here from the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library. We are the committed nonprofit partner to SPPL. For over 80 years, we've had a mission to serve as a catalyst for our libraries and a vision of a dynamic library at the heart of every community, including this one here on the great greater East Side. This effort really is a testament to what can happen in partnership, in collaboration. I want to offer deep and sincere gratitude to our private philanthropic partners who are made this effort possible. Without you, this would not be happening today. So, thank you so much. I have a great job in that I get to talk to people about libraries all day, every day, and their story is always one of a lifelong connection. And so, today represents, you know, impact now, but also impact that will happen for future generations. When young people are able to come in and see themselves in these incredible play and learn spaces that are going to reflect them and their community, when they are able to come back and be awkward adolescents in the teen reading spaces and gardens and feel safe and belong and feel connected in in there, to come back and access resources that will help them on their academic journeys and discover what's beyond. To know that there is a a space when they need help that they can return to and a place where they can discover joy always and feel welcome every day. So, thank you again. Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo!