 The university's plans for a library and desire to work with the Dayton's Bluff community coincided with the long-time desire for a new branch of the Saint Paul Public Library.Funding for the library came from $2 million in grants and an additional $1 million from the Minnesota State Legislature, with a total cost of $21 million to construct the building.The Metropolitan State University Library and Learning Center is a three-floor building, housing not only the public and academic libraries, but also the campus bookstore, the writing center, a small art gallery, meeting rooms, faculty offices, and a few classrooms.