Interior area of the Edina Community Library, a branch of the Hennepin County Library, showing a table, exhibit case and sculpture. The building, at 4701 West 50th Street, was designed by Arthur Hickey Associates Architects, was renovated in the 1990s and was used until 2002 when the library moved to its current location.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Elvera Anderson, Reference Librarian at East Central Regional Library, Cambridge, Minnesota, served as Acting Director in 1967 and again from 1970-1971. Founded in 1959, ECRL is the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. Headquartered in Cambridge, it is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach Services and serves residents in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
Young Men's Library Association, Winona, Minnesota; Tucker, Gilbert R.; Chisholm, O. P.; Carey, Sheldon C.
Date Created:
1863-04-25
Description:
A hand written document stating the creation of the Young Men's Library Association in Winona, Minnesota, and its Board of Directors. Officers elected included Gilbert R. Tucker, president; O. P. Chisholm, vice-president; William W. Painter, treasurer; Sheldon C. Carey, secretary. Trustees for the first year were Thomas Simpson, F. E. Shandrew, E. E. Youmans, William Sinclair and J. W. Stevens.
Undated document labeled Estimate #3 from R.D. Church, architect, to the Redwood Falls Public Library Board, requsting payment installment for work completed on the Redwood Falls Public Library building, Redwood Falls, Minnesota, for $3500.00.
Undated document labeled Estimate #2 from R.D. Church, architect, to the Redwood Falls Public Library Board, requesting payment installment for work completed on the Redwood Falls Public Library building, Redwood Falls, Minnesota, for $2100.00.
Undated document labeled Estimate #1 from R.D. Church, architect, to the Redwood Falls Public Library Board, requesting payment installment for work completed on the Redwood Falls Public Library building, Redwood Falls, Minnesota, for $2280.00.
Exterior view of the Excelsior Public Library. Library service to the South Lake communities of Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Shorewood and Tonka Bay was established beginning in 1922, when the library was housed out of the White House Hotel. For several decades, the library operated out of various locations in the community, with the first permanent library location opening on Third Street in 1965.�
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Excelsior Public Library. Library service to the South Lake communities of Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Shorewood and Tonka Bay was established beginning in 1922, when the library was housed out of the White House Hotel. For several decades, the library operated out of various locations in the community, with the first permanent library location opening on Third Street in 1965.�
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Excelsior Public Library. Library service to the South Lake communities of Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Shorewood and Tonka Bay was established beginning in 1922, when the library was housed out of the White House Hotel. For several decades, the library operated out of various locations in the community, with the first permanent library location opening on Third Street in 1965.�
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Excelsior Public Library. Library service to the South Lake communities of Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Shorewood and Tonka Bay was established beginning in 1922, when the library was housed out of the White House Hotel. For several decades, the library operated out of various locations in the community, with the first permanent library location opening on Third Street in 1965.�
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Excelsior Community Library shared a building with the city administrative offices for a time and served the communities of Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Shorewood and Tonka Bay
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Excelsior Community Library shared a building with the city administrative offices for a time and served the communities of Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Shorewood and Tonka Bay
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
This building on Third Street was the first permanent location of the Excelsior Public Library, opened in 1965. Library service to the South Lake communities of Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Shorewood and Tonka Bay was established beginning in 1922, when the library was housed out of the White House Hotel. Until 1965, the library operated out of various locations in the community. In 2014, the library moved to a new building on Water Street in the heart of downtown Excelsior.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Excelsior Community Library shared a building with the city administrative offices for a time and served the communities of Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Shorewood and Tonka Bay. The first permanent location was built on Third Street in 1965. In 2014 , the library moved to a new building at 337 Water Street in the heart of downtown Exclesior.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A leaflet containing a list of Adelaide Magner's paintings displayed during the exhibit at the Winona Public Library, along with some brief biographical information. The exhibit took place from April 30 to May 7, 1917.
A leaflet containing a list of Austin Willard Lord's paintings displayed during the exhibit at the Winona Public Library, along with some brief biographical information. The exhibit took place from November 9 - 20, 1916.
Exterior view of East Central Regional Library Headquarters from 3rd Avenue, Cambridge, Minnesota. Founded in 1959, ECRL is the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. Headquartered in Cambridge, it is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach Services and serves residents in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
Exterior view of East Central Regional Library Headquarters from 3rd Avenue, showing the original main entrance and the courthouse in the background, Cambridge, Minnesota. Founded in 1959, ECRL is the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. Headquartered in Cambridge, it is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach Services and serves residents in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
The document is an overview of the Fact Finder radio program, which ran continuously every week from Oct. 5, 1938 - June 30, 1939. The main goal of the program was to entertain and instruct as much as possible. The radio scripts were written by members of the Minnesota Library Association radio committee in the Minneapolis Public Library.
Finance Committee, Winona Free Public Library, Winona, Minnesota; Whipple, William J.
Date Created:
1910-01-08
Description:
A letter issued by the Finance Committee of the Winona Free Public Library, Winona, Minnesota, to the Board of Directors of the library regarding receipts and disbursements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1909.
Finance Committee, Winona Free Public Library, Winona, Minnesota; Whipple, William J.; Blair, Burr. D.
Date Created:
1908-01-04
Description:
A letter issued by the Finance Committee of the Winona Free Public Library, Winona, Minnesota, to the Board of Directors of the library regarding receipts and disbursements for the fiscal year from January 1, 1907 to January 1, 1908.
Rockford Road Library opened in 1972 and was renovated in 2013. It serves the cities of Crystal, New Hope and Robbinsdale. For several decades prior to 1972, library service was provided to area residents out of various locations in the community. The library is named for one of the most historic roads in Hennepin County.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Marcia Ledin, Acquisitions/Registration Aide, and Mark Ranum, Reference Librarian, are testing the new automation system at the circulation desk of East Central Regional Library's headquarters in Cambridge, Minnesota, April 1, 1996. Founded in 1959, ECRL is the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. Headquartered in Cambridge, it is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach Services and serves residents in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
A receipt issued by First National Bank, Winona, Minnesota, to the Winona Library Association for rent paid from January 1, 1874 to July 1, 1874 in the amount of $50.00.
Cambridge, chosen as the site for the headquarters of the new regional system in 1959, had also been the headquarters of the Isanti County Library, which was established in 1946 in Cambridge, Minnesota. Founded in 1959, ECRL is the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. Headquartered in Cambridge, it is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach Services and serves residents in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
Exterior view of the Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library on the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. This postcard negative, marked 3A87, has been converted to a digital positive image.
A class of schoolchildren are being taught how to use the library in the Franklin Branch of the Minneapolis Public Library. Opened in August 1914 at 1314 East Franklin Avenue, and designed by architect Edward L. Tilton, this was the first library building in Minneapolis to be built with funds from Andrew Carnegie. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A drawing of the Franklin Branch of the Minneapolis Public Library. Opened in August 1914 at 1314 East Franklin Avenue, and designed by architect Edward L. Tilton, this was the first library building in Minneapolis to be built with funds from Andrew Carnegie. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Franklin Branch of the Minneapolis Public Library. Opened in August 1914 at 1314 East Franklin Avenue, and designed by architect Edward L. Tilton, this was the first library building in Minneapolis to be built with funds from Andrew Carnegie. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A fireplace in the children's section of the Franklin Branch of the Minneapolis Public Library. Opened in August 1914 at 1314 East Franklin Avenue, and designed by architect Edward L. Tilton, this was the first library building in Minneapolis to be built with funds from Andrew Carnegie. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Franklin Branch of the Minneapolis Public Library. Opened in August 1914 at 1314 East Franklin Avenue, and designed by architect Edward L. Tilton, this was the first library building in Minneapolis to be built with funds from Andrew Carnegie. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A fireplace in the club room of the Franklin Branch of the Minneapolis Public Library. Opened in August 1914 at 1314 East Franklin Avenue, and designed by architect Edward L. Tilton, this was the first library building in Minneapolis to be built with funds from Andrew Carnegie. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The children's room of the Franklin Branch of the Minneapolis Public Library. Opened in August 1914 at 1314 East Franklin Avenue, and designed by architect Edward L. Tilton, this was the first library building in Minneapolis to be built with funds from Andrew Carnegie. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Shelves of magazines in the Franklin Branch of the Minneapolis Public Library. Opened in August 1914 at 1314 East Franklin Avenue, and designed by architect Edward L. Tilton, this was the first library building in Minneapolis to be built with funds from Andrew Carnegie. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Franklin Branch of the Minneapolis Public Library. Opened in August 1914 at 1314 East Franklin Avenue, and designed by architect Edward L. Tilton, this was the first library building in Minneapolis to be built with funds from Andrew Carnegie. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A fireplace in the children's section of the Franklin Branch of the Minneapolis Public Library. Opened in August 1914 at 1314 East Franklin Avenue, and designed by architect Edward L. Tilton, this was the first library building in Minneapolis to be built with funds from Andrew Carnegie. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A letter from Fred S. Bell to the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library. Bell tenders his resignation as President of the Board of Directors after 20 years of service.
Freight bill from F.J. Thompson, Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad Company, to Julius A. Schmahl, Redwood Falls Public Libray Board President, Redwood Falls, Minnesota, 35�.
A computer lab funded with a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation opened in a portion of the meeting room at East Central Regional Library's Headquarters, Cambridge, Minnesota, December 2001. Founded in 1959, ECRL is the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. Headquartered in Cambridge, it is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach Services and serves residents in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
Gene Wicht, Isanti County Commissioner, Marlys Palmer, Cambridge Mayor, Ron Drude and Kathy Ellis, East Central Regional Library Board members cut the ribbon at the Gates Computer Lab Open House on Feb. 11, 2002 in East Central Regional Library Headquarters, Cambridge, Minnesota. Founded in 1959, ECRL is the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. Headquartered in Cambridge, it is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach Services and serves residents in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
Twelve girls use the library at the St. Paul Girls' Home (orphanage), 933 Carroll Ave., St. Paul. An unidentified Sister of St. Joseph helps two of the students.
Exterior view of the Golden Valley Public Library. Located in Golden Valley Village Hall from 1958-1971, Golden Valley Library opened in its current location in 1971.�
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Golden Valley Public Library. Located in Golden Valley Village Hall from 1958-1971, Golden Valley Library opened in its current location in 1971.�
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Interior view of the Golden Valley Public Library. Located in Golden Valley Village Hall from 1958-1971, Golden Valley Library opened in its current location in 1971.�
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Interior view of the Golden Valley branch of the Hennepin County Library showing a card catalog, stacks, tables and a few patrons. A handwritten note on the photo says, "Very crowded - not enough space for books or people." The library was housed here in the Golden Valley Village Hall from 1958 to 1971.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Golden Valley Public Library. Located in Golden Valley Village Hall from 1958-1971, Golden Valley Library opened in its current location in 1971.�
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Interior view of the Golden Valley Public Library. Located in Golden Valley Village Hall from 1958-1971, Golden Valley Library opened in its current location in 1971.�
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
From left to right: Tom Shaughnessy (University of Minnesota Libraries Director, 1989-2002), Kathi DeJohn, Wendy Lougee (University of Minnesota Libraries Director 2002-2020), and Bill DeJohn (Minitex Director, 1984-2012).
Group photograph taken at the Ivy Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota for Edward Swanson's (Manager, Contract Cataloging) retirement lunch. Back row, left to right: Mark Wilhelmi, Carlos Portillo, Mark Ehlert, Sara Ring, Edward Swanson, Bill DeJohn (Director). Front row, left to right: Kay Beaudrie, Sue Zuriff, Renee Johnson, Virginia Dudley, Susanne Nevin, Sue Weigand, Carla Urban.
Children and children's librarian Barb Lantis dressed in Halloween costumes are gathered for story hour in front of a fireplace in the children's room of the St. Cloud Public Library in 1976. The St. Cloud Public Library's Carnegie building stood at 124 Fifth Avenue South from 1902 until it was torn down in 1981.
Exterior view of the small, one-room Hamel branch of the Hennepin County Library. This library operated from 1922 to 1968 and the building is currently used as a local history museum for the town of Hamel.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Statement from Joseph Kreitinger showing contract total and additional expenses (total budget $9020.95)as well as how much has been paid out ($7500.00) and how much is still due, $260.95.
The Hennepin County Library service began in 1922 and originally had its offices in the downtown Minneapolis Public Library (Old Main). County services continued to operate out of the Minneapolis Central Library downtown from 1961-1973, when the County's library services moved to the Southdale Library. They later moved to the Ridgedale Library building in 1981, where they continue today.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Hennepin County Library service began in 1922 and originally had its offices in the downtown Minneapolis Public Library (Old Main). County services continued to operate out of the Minneapolis Central Library downtown from 1961-1973, when the County's library services moved to the Southdale Library. They later moved to the Ridgedale Library building in 1981, where they continue today.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A letter from Henry H. Sibley, St. Paul, Minnesota, to Charles Benson, President of the Young Men's Library Association (YMLA), regarding his upcoming speaking engagement in Winona, Minnesota. Sibley's lecture on the "Early Times of Minnesota" took place on the last day in February in 1867 and was sponsored by the YMLA.
Hinckley Public Library has been located in this building with the village hall since December of 1939, with a substantial building addition shown here in 1991. The expansion added a children's area, expanded reading and study areas, made the circulation desk more efficient, and installed better lighting and a higher ceiling. Founded in 1959, ECRL is the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. Headquartered in Cambridge, it is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach Services and serves residents in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
Hinckley Public Library has been located in this building with the village hall since December of 1939 in Hinckley, Minnesota. Founded in 1959, ECRL is the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. Headquartered in Cambridge, it is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach Services and serves residents in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
Exterior view of the Hopkins Branch Library. Library service to the Hopkins community was established more than 100 years ago, when the library was housed in City Hall. The library moved to the historic Dow House in 1948 and then temporarily to a vacant restaurant in 1963. The library opened in its current location in 1968 and was renovated in 2002. The Hopkins Library merged with the Hennepin County Library system in 1973.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Hopkins Branch Library. Library service to the Hopkins community was established more than 100 years ago, when the library was housed in City Hall. The library moved to the historic Dow House in 1948 and then temporarily to a vacant restaurant in 1963. The library opened in its current location in 1968 and was renovated in 2002. The Hopkins Library merged with the Hennepin County Library system in 1973
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Hopkins Branch Library. Library service to the Hopkins community was established more than 100 years ago, when the library was housed in City Hall. The library moved to the historic Dow House in 1948 and then temporarily to a vacant restaurant in 1963. The library opened in its current location in 1968 and was renovated in 2002. The Hopkins Library merged with the Hennepin County Library system in 1973
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Hopkins Public Library, a branch of the Hennepin County Library. Library service to the Hopkins, Minnesota community was established more than 100 years ago. The library was initially housed in City Hall, moved to the historic Dow House in 1948 and then temporarily to a vacant restaurant in 1963. The library opened in this building, at its current location at 22 Eleventh Avenue North, in 1968. The library joined Hennepin County Library in 1973 and its building was renovated in 2002.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Hosmer branch of Minneapolis Public Library. Originally known as the Thirty-sixth Street Branch, this building was built in 1916 with funds from the Carnegie Corporation and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Hosmer branch of Minneapolis Public Library. Originally known as the Thirty-sixth Street Branch, this building was built in 1916 with funds from the Carnegie Corporation and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Hosmer branch of Minneapolis Public Library, with streetcar rails visible. Originally known as the Thirty-sixth Street Branch, this building was built in 1916 with funds from the Carnegie Corporation and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Hosmer branch of Minneapolis Public Library. Originally known as the Thirty-sixth Street Branch, this building was built in 1916 with funds from the Carnegie Corporation and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Two boys read near a card catalog in the Hosmer branch of Minneapolis Public Library. Originally known as the Thirty-sixth Street Branch, this building was built in 1916 with funds from the Carnegie Corporation and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. The Minneapolis Public Library wasy founded in 1885 and grew to include a Central Library and fourteen branches. In 2008 the library was merged into the Hennepin County Library system.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Insurance statement from H.A. Baldwin to the Redwood Falls Public Library board, Redwood Falls, Minnesota, for insurance from six carriers, with a balance due of $113.25.
Microfiche readers, shown at the Aitkin Library, replaced East Central Regional Library's card catalog in the branches in 1988. The fiche cards were updated every six months. Founded in 1959, ECRL is the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. Headquartered in Cambridge, it is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach Services and serves residents in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
Interior view of East Central Regional Library Headquarters, showing stacks of books, work and sitting areas, Cambridge, Minnesota. Founded in 1959, ECRL is the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. Headquartered in Cambridge, it is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach Services and serves residents in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
Interior view of East Central Regional Library Headquarters, showing the stacks, work spaces, and the card catalog, Cambridge, Minnesota. Founded in 1959, ECRL is the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. Headquartered in Cambridge, it is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach Services and serves residents in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
Interior view of East Central Regional Library Headquarters, showing the reserves desk, card catalog, and periodicals area, Cambridge, Minnesota. Founded in 1959, ECRL is the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. Headquartered in Cambridge, it is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach Services and serves residents in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
Interior view of East Central Regional Library Headquarters, showing the reserves desk decorated with flowers, Cambridge, Minnesota. Founded in 1959, ECRL is the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. Headquartered in Cambridge, it is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach Services and serves residents in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
Interior view of East Central Regional Library Headquarters, showing the back of the reserves desk, as well as portions of the record and reference collections, Cambridge, Minnesota. Founded in 1959, ECRL is the oldest existing regional public library system in Minnesota. Headquartered in Cambridge, it is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach Services and serves residents in Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
Barbara Misselt led the East Central Regional Library as Library System Director for 9 years, retiring April 1, 2017. Misselt's first library job was at the Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, before moving to SELCO (Southeastern Libraries Cooperating) in Rochester, Minnesota, and ending her career at East Central Regional Library in Cambridge, Minnesota. In the interview, she discusses her connection to Minitex, working with former Minitex Director Bill DeJohn, Becky Ringwelski (former Associate Director of Minitex for Resource Sharing), Kathy Drozd (former Assistant Director for Delivery), and other influential colleagues from Minnesota libraries and the State Library. This interview includes an audio recording and full transcript.
William Asp served as Minnesota State Librarian from 1975-1996. In the interview he reflects on early 20th century resource sharing among libraries belonging to the Twin Cities Library Club, Regional Public Library System development, early library automation in Minnesota, and the Extension of Access Law (1987 law passed that required the counties to levy a tax for public library service and join a regional public library system). This interview also includes an audio recording, recording table of contents, transcript, and photograph of the interviewee.
Cecelia Boone began her career at University of Minnesota Libraries in the Social Welfare History Archives (June 1976-1978). There, she was a writer and editor on a project called the Women's History Sources Survey before joining Minitex and the MULS program in 1978. In her interview, she describes the MULS service and how it operated in the 1970s and 1980s; hand-writing library holdings data; typing up and storing the holdings data in the homegrown database at the University of Minnesota; supervising and working with student staff; the migration of the MULS records from the database to OCLC WorldCat in 1987 and 1988, and her experience working with Alice Wilcox (Minitex Director, 1969-1982). This interview also includes an audio recording, recording table of contents, transcript, and photograph of the interviewee.
Charlene Mason was Minitex Interim Director (1983/1984), and was on the search committee that hired Bill DeJohn, current Minitex director (1984-present), before finishing her library career at the University of Minnesota Libraries (1976-2001). She discusses her first library job held in 7th grade at Ames Public Library, early fax machines used for resource sharing, the hiring climate at the University of Minnesota after the 1979-80 Rajender v. University of Minnesota lawsuit, and working with Anita Branin (Minitex Associate Director for Document Delivery and MULS, 1980-1996) and MJ Rossman (Minitex Assistant Director for Reference and OCLC, 1980-1996) during the transition to a new Minitex director. This interview also includes an audio recording, recording table of contents, transcript, and photograph of the interviewee.
Dave Paulson joined Minitex staff as a student in 1973. Throughout his career at Minitex, he has worked in nearly every campus library at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Today he is the Resource Sharing Manager who oversees retrieval at our campus libraries.
In this interview, Dave talks about what the work in Resource Sharing was like in the early days, the staff softball team, and how Minitex electronic delivery got started. This interview also includes an audio recording, recording table of contents, transcript, and photograph of the interviewee.
Doris Ott served for eight years as North Dakota State Librarian (2002-2010). A native of Carson, ND, Ott graduated from Dickinson State University, and earned her MLS from George Peabody College (now, Vanderbilt University) in Nashville. She started her professional librarian career as an Assistant Professor of Library Science at Dickinson State, was the first librarian at Magic City Campus in Minot, and held positions at a school library and a public library in Indiana before returning to North Dakota in 1986. From 1986-2002 she worked at the North Dakota State Library and held various positions before being named State Librarian in 2002. This interview also includes an audio recording, recording table of contents, transcript, and photograph of the interviewee.
Helen Stub was the secretary-treasurer of the Twin City Library Club (TCLC) when the organization dissolved around 1959. Founded in 1906, the Twin City Library Club was an organization intended to help librarians in St. Paul and Minneapolis become acquainted with each other and the library collections of the Twin Cities. Helen reflects in the interview:
"This group of people were active participants in the intellectual, aesthetic, educational, political life of that period between 1906-1959. And, that period included two World Wars, a depression, the recovery, the New Deal, droughts, and, of course, the invention of the automobile."
Helen Stub discusses the founding of the organization by Clara Baldwin (Director, Public Library Commission, 1889-1936), John King (Director, Minnesota State Library), Gratia Countryman (Director, Minneapolis Public Library), W.W. Folwell (President, University of Minnesota, 1869-1884) and relays tales from the Secretary-Treasurer's books that chronicle the events of the library profession in the Twin Cities. These include summaries of lectures, reports on library successes, and descriptions of a 1908 list of periodicals of the libraries in Minneapolis and St. Paul, early interlibrary loan, site visits to libraries, announcement of the first bookmobile, parties at the H.W. Wilson company, boat trips on the Mississippi, road tours by car, and elegant dinners.
Helen began her library career in Fairfax, MN, in 1948, moving to St. Paul Park in 1952, and, then, as a librarian in the Minneapolis School District from 1955-1980. She served as President of Minnesota Educational Media Organization from 1977-1978. This interview also includes an audio recording, recording table of contents, transcript, and photograph of the interviewee.
