Getting ready forthe calming spaces at Dakota County Library.
Calming spaces at five Dakota County libraries (Galaxie, Heritage, Kaposia, Pleasant Hill and Wentworth), designed for people with autism, sensory processing differences or other disabilities and open to all ages, each with noise-reducing headphones, a weighted blanket, a sound machine, adjustable lighting and more. Wescott Library also holds Sensory-Friendly Saturday for ages 3 to 8; register ahead.
Sensory supports. Calming spaces at five libraries, Sensory-Friendly Saturday.
Hours
Galaxie, Heritage, Pleasant Hill, Wentworth and Wescott: Monday to Thursday 9 am to 8 pm, Friday and Saturday 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday 1 to 5 pm. Kaposia: Monday to Wednesday noon to 8 pm, Thursday to Saturday 9 am to 5 pm, closed Sunday. All locations are closed on holidays: Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026), Staff Day (Friday, Dec. 11), Christmas Eve (Thursday, Dec. 24), Christmas Day (Friday, Dec. 25) and New Year's Day (Friday, Jan. 1, 2027), and they close at 4:30 pm on New Year's Eve (Thursday, Dec. 31). The library's holiday closings page lists the 2027 dates.
Calming spaces: Galaxie Library, 14955 Galaxie Ave., Apple Valley, MN 55124. Heritage Library, 20085 Heritage Drive, Lakeville, MN 55044. Kaposia Library, 131 Seventh Ave. N., South St. Paul, MN 55075. Pleasant Hill Library, 1490 S. Frontage Road, Hastings, MN 55033. Wentworth Library, 199 Wentworth Ave E., West St. Paul, MN 55118. Sensory-Friendly Saturday: Wescott Library, 1340 Wescott Road, Eagan, MN 55123.
“As part of this mission, we offer calming spaces at our Galaxie, Heritage, Kaposia, Pleasant Hill and Wentworth locations. These spaces are specially designed for individuals who need a comforting space to regulate while at the library.”
“The calming spaces are especially designed for those with autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing differences or other disabilities. The calming spaces are available for all ages.”
“Each space has a calming space guide that explains how to use the items available in the calming space.”
Only these five branches list a calming space. Wescott Library, where Sensory-Friendly Saturday meets, isn't one of them.
The All Abilities Activity Pack (its materials might include fidgets, puzzles, FM radio headphones, binoculars and more) is for adults with developmental, sensory, cognitive and physical disabilities and their supporters and caregivers. It's at Wescott, Pleasant Hill and Galaxie, for in-library use; ask at the service desk.
The February 20 session is the last in the series. For any later Sensory-Friendly Saturdays, search the library's events calendar for "sensory".
Calming spaces are at Galaxie, Heritage, Kaposia, Pleasant Hill and Wentworth, for all ages.
Each one has noise-reducing headphones, a weighted blanket, a sound machine, adjustable lighting, a visual timer, fidgets, tactile objects and comfortable seating.
Sensory-Friendly Saturday at Wescott Library is for ages 3 to 8 with caregivers, and you register ahead.
For a full-size copy your child can use, open this page at squaredsteps.com, tap Make it yours, then print.
More about Dakota County Library
Every library has at least one accessible parking space in its lot, and wheelchairs and walkers to use during your visit.
Service animals can go with people with disabilities to all areas of the library open to the public.
Questions: Dakota County Library, 651-450-2900 or askalibrarian@co.dakota.mn.us. Branch phones: Galaxie 952-891-7045, Heritage 952-891-0360, Kaposia 651-480-0900, Pleasant Hill 651-438-0200, Wentworth 651-554-6800.
