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August 22, 2017 750 × 500 2017 Library Design Showcase

Building Young Minds

Hennepin County (Minn.) Library System, Brooklyn Park Library

The Brooklyn Park Library’s Family Play and Learning Space was designed to inspire and spark young minds. The area features a giant microscope, wind tunnel, engineering challenge cubes, and other hands-on stations for kids to learn and experiment. A teen-focused tech center offers a multimedia suite with audio recording, graphic design, animation, and coding capabilities.

Project: New construction
Architect: HGA
Size: 39,600 square feet
Cost: $19 million
Photo: Paul Crosby

Hennepin County (Minn.) Library System, Brooklyn Park Library

Project: New construction
Architect: HGA
Size: 39,600 square feet
Cost: $19 million
Photo: Paul Crosby

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PC World, Sept. 27
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Nick Dedeke writes: “In an earlier article, I discussed a few of the flaws in Europe’s flagship data privacy law, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Building on that critique, I would now like to go further, proposing specifications for developing a robust privacy protection regime in the US. If a country like the US developed a different privacy approach, it would bring choice and a new perspective into this important segment of protection of the privacy of data subjects.”

Ars Technica, Sept. 28
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Brian Stephens writes: “Lack of high-speed internet is a significant problem in almost 75% of communities served by the nation’s K–12 schools, according to Funds For Learning’s annual E-Rate Applicant Survey. A key change to the E-rate program’s rules aims to narrow the ‘homework gap’ by making Wi-Fi hotspots that schools and libraries loan to students and patrons eligible for E-Rate discounts. For funding year 2025, Wi-Fi hotspots are eligible for Category One discounts. However, schools and libraries must follow a slew of requirements in order to take advantage. Here’s a closer look.”

THE Journal, Sept. 24
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Gizmodo, Oct. 1; ALA Chapter Relations Office
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