EAGAN, Minn. – A Dakota County library has received a grant of nearly $800,000.
Elizabeth Kolstad and her late husband, Ed, visited the Wescott branch in Eagan.
She died last year at the age of 103, leaving the library for $796,054.
Margaret Stone, director of the Dakota County Library, says this is the largest gift ever given to a county library.
“At first I had to look at the check twice to see that it was really that big,” Stone said. “It’s kind of like a pat on the back: ‘You made a difference in my life. You really helped me, so this is my way of thanking you.’ We also like it when people thank you at the service desk, but the check is just a very concrete way of saying: ‘Yes, libraries are important.'”
Like all libraries, the Wescott branch is free: come in, look around and surf the internet and more.
Lillian Wassell’s weekly outings with her daughter Rosie are a special time for them both.
“I’m a teacher on leave, so books and teaching and reading and things like that are super important to me,” she said.
Stone says the gift will allow them to serve the community for years to come.
“I’m one of those people who laughs a lot anyway. I’m really lucky that I love my job, but it’s incredibly exciting to get this,” she said. “It opens up a world of opportunities for us.”
Stone says the tentative plan is to use most of the money for planned renovations in 2027.
“I would like to use it for something that is more permanent, something that is more sustainable,” she said.
Stone never met the Kolstads, but she wishes she could thank them.
Stone will work with Wescott staff and the district administration to decide how the money will be used.
David Schuman
