See all posts in the Libraries series

by Patrick Jones

(Note: Carver County Library branch managers are providing updates on exciting programs, new services, and book reviews for Carver County Local News. This month, Patrick Jones shares updates about an upcoming celebration at the Victoria library.

The Victoria Library will celebrate its tenth anniversary on Saturday, May 3. Though the anniversary of the library was in March, library staff decided to delay a celebration until May so it could be held in conjunction with an outdoor concert.  

Anniversary celebration schedule

A special program will begin at 10 a.m. with short remarks from elected officials from the City of Victoria and Carver County as well as from the president of the Friends of the Victoria Library.  

At 10:30 a.m., there will be an all-ages outdoor concert by the Roe Family Singers at the Charlson Thun Bandstand. After the concert, attendees can view photos commemorating 10 years of programs and events at the library, plus enjoy some cake.  

Library History

For several years prior to the construction of the library, city residents used Victoria Express lockers at the Rec Center, which are still active. With this system, patrons can put items on hold and library staff deliver materials to the lockers for pick ups on Thursdays. The heavy use of the Express Library, coupled with the growing population of the city, led to the library being built along with a new city hall.  

Fun Facts

The Victora Library contains about 10,000 items, including books in Spanish for children, large print books for adults and DVDs for all ages. Patrons can place items on reserve if they are checked out or not available at Victoria. If a book is on the shelf at Chanhassen, it can normally arrive at Victoria by the next day. 

In addition to the physical items available in the Carver County Library, Victoria residents have access to thousands of digital titles in eBook and eAudiobook format, as well as digital magazines, through the popular Libby app.

Though the design of the library provides plenty of space for studying and technology use, the real center is the children’s area. Circulation of youth materials—both print and nonprint—make up 75 percent of the library’s circulation, with more than 55,000 items going out in 2024.  

Youth program attendance is strong, with dozens of families and caregivers attending storytimes on Monday and Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. Up to one hundred people have attended outdoor summer programs such as Bill the Juggler and the Brodini Magic Show. Both Bill and Brodini are scheduled to appear again this summer. 

The adult collection is much smaller, but is heavily used as measured by the turnover rate, which is the highest in the Carver County Library system. While there have been one to two outdoor concerts for adults each year, adult programming has focused on educational opportunities related to technology, genealogy, wellness and local history, as well as art workshops including the annual “Squirrel Drawing Contest.”

While Victoria shares staff with the Chanhassen Library, there are three staff members—one library assistant, the youth librarian and the adult librarian—that call Victoria home. Other staff from Chanhassen work shifts at Victoria, while Victoria staff normally work one shift at Chanhassen. For both branches, Patrick Jones serves as the branch manager and Beth Chiero is the operations supervisor. Jodi Edstrom, formerly the youth librarian at Victoria, is now library director.

Friends of the Victoria Library book sale: May 10

Support for programs comes from several sources including the Friends of the Victoria Library.  The Friends raise money through the annual Library Giving Day campaign held in April, but primarily through book sales. 

While there is an ongoing book sale at the library, the Friends host special spring and fall book sales each year. The spring sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 10. Starting at 1 pm, attendees can fill a bag with books and DVDs for just five dollars. 

The Friends meet on the third Tuesday of the month in January, March, May, August and November at 6 p.m. New members are always welcome.  

Contact Victoria Library Branch Manager Patrick Jones (pjones@carvercountymn.gov or 952-303-0415 for more information.