by Zach Miller
Quick Summary
Minitex and the University of Minnesota Libraries are partnering to participate in Doors Open Minneapolis on Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19. From 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. each day, we'll invite the public into the Minnesota Library Access Center (MLAC) and the Maxine Houghton Wallin Special Collections Research Center.
The Minnesota Library Access Center (MLAC) is a cavernous engineering marvel situated 82 feet beneath Elmer L. Andersen Library, on the West Bank Campus of the University of Minnesota. It is operated by Minitex and functions as a high-density storage facility for Minnesota libraries. MLAC's subterranean 17-foot-tall shelves store more than 1.5 million volumes. Visitors who join us for Doors Open Minneapolis will have the opportunity to descend into the cavern (very safely, in an elevator) and also to visit the above-ground Maxine Houghton Wallin Special Collections Research Center, along with an exhibit space on the main level of Andersen Library.
Also of interest, Hennepin County Library's Minneapolis Central Library is also participating in Doors Open Minneapolis this year. Minneapolis Central Library was designed by world-renowned architect César Pelli. During Doors Open, visitors will be offered self-guided tours of the building, including historical displays on past central libraries in the Special Collections department. On Sunday, the Library will not be open until 12:00 pm.
ABOUT DOORS OPEN MINNEAPOLIS
Doors Open Minneapolis, produced by Rethos, is your chance to explore the buildings that tell our city’s story. From theaters to business hubs, sacred spaces to private clubs, sports complexes to engineering wonders, historical gems to not-even-open-yet buildings, Doors Open Minneapolis will give you a FREE behind-the-scenes look at dozens of exciting venues. Building owners and caretakers will provide unique perspectives that illustrate why these venues, people and businesses, are central to our city’s identity. Learn more on the Doors Open Minneapolis website.
