The Hopkins Library may be part of the larger Hennepin County system, but there's no doubt in which city it resides. The children's area echoes Hopkins' Mainstreet and has a map where children can match up the city's landmarks. 

Such a recognizable identity is appropriate because the library is a gathering spot for the community, said Senior Librarian Lisa Bjerken.

"We're a very popular, very very busy library," she said.  "We're open seven days a week, and we are busy every minute we're open."

The library's popularity can be seen through its strong Friends of Hopkins Library group, which donated the stained glass windows in the library.  

It's especially popular among patrons who like to bike to their books. All Hennepin County libraries check out bike locks to patrons while they're in visiting the library and have bike racks. But Hopkins had to add an extra bike rack because biking was so popular.

"It's a real community library," Bjerken said.