A man holds the reins of a draft horse pulling a sledge through the snow. The sledge is loaded with a delivery box used to transport materials between library branches. Hennepin County Library started in 1922 as a horse-drawn "book wagon" to areas outside the core city of Minneapolis, and grew to incorporate many city and branch libraries as more residents moved to the suburbs.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A typewritten note attached to the photo reads: "Workers Who Read -- Since 1905 the Library has given service to telephone operators, firemen, clerks, streetcar employees and many other groups who find it difficult to get to the Central or branch libraries. There are now 45 stations located in factories and business houses. Please return to Minneapolis Public Library, Publicity Office, Hennepin at 10th." Minneapolis Public Library was founded in 1885 and merged with Hennepin County Library in 2008.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Beginning in 1905, the Minneapolis Public Library supplied 45 book stations located in factories and businesses to provide service to workers who might find it difficult to get to the Central or branch libraries. Minneapolis Public Library was founded in 1885 and merged with Hennepin County Library in 2008.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Interior view of the Robbinsdale branch of the Hennepin County Library, showing the reference desk and patrons reading. The library was located at 4915 42nd Avenue NorthRobbinsdale library patrons are now served by the Rockford Road Library in Crystal, Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the St. Anthony branch of Hennepin County Library, including a book drop and telephone booth. St. Anthony Library has been providing service to St. Anthony and northeast Minneapolis residents since 1963, when it opened in a storefront in St. Anthony Shopping Center, Minnesota. In 2002 the library moved to a different section of the shopping center, at 2941 Pentagon Drive Northeast.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Augsburg Park Library at 7100 Nicollet Avenue South, Richfield, Minnesota, opened in February of 1975. Following the purchase of 2.8 acres of land by Hennepin County from the City of Richfield for $99,500, InterDesign, Inc. was chosen as the architect and the Henry O. Mikkelson Company as the builder. The new building was two and a half times larger than its predecessor, the Richfield Library at 70th Street and NIcollet Avenue.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Librarian Alice Johnson with children seated near the fireplace in the Brooklyn Center Public Library. This building was the first library in Brooklyn Center, at 5601 Osseo Road (subsequently named Brooklyn Boulevard), and opened on December 29, 1965. Designed by Cerny and Associates, it was 12,718 square feet. In 1981 the library relocated to the Brookdale location at 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway. The Girl Scouts purchased the building on Brooklyn Boulevard, and it became the headquarters of the Greater Minneapolis Girl Scout Council (now Girl Scout Council of Greater Minneapolis).
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the main entrance of the Brooklyn Center Public Library. This building was the first library in Brooklyn Center, at 5601 Osseo Road (subsequently named Brooklyn Boulevard), and opened on December 29, 1965. Designed by Cerny and Associates, it was 12,718 square feet. In 1981 the library relocated to the Brookdale location at 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway. The Girl Scouts purchased the building on Brooklyn Boulevard, and it became the headquarters of the Greater Minneapolis Girl Scout Council (now Girl Scout Council of Greater Minneapolis).
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A sign indicates that this small building housed the Long Lake branch of the Hennepin County Library, along with Gordon Company Accountants, and Lonstreeter Electric Company. Library service to the Long Lake community in western Hennepin County began in 1913. For several decades, the library operated out of various locations in the community, until it settled in 1995 in a commercial storefront space at 1865 Wayzata Boulevard West.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of a small building housing the Long Lake branch of the Hennepin County Library. Library service to the Long Lake community in western Hennepin County began in 1913. For several decades, the library operated out of various locations in the community, until it settled in 1995 in a commercial storefront space at 1865 Wayzata Boulevard West.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of a small building housing the Long Lake branch of the Hennepin County Library. Library service to the Long Lake community in western Hennepin County began in 1913. For several decades, the library operated out of various locations in the community, until it settled in 1995 in a commercial storefront space at 1865 Wayzata Boulevard West.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the old Edina Community Library in what had been the D.W. Wallace home, 4120 West 50th Street, Edina, Minnesota. The Edina Community Library is a branch of the Hennepin County Library.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Display area for circulating art prints and special exhibits in the Edina Community Library, a branch of the Hennepin County Library. 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
Adult reading area of the Edina Community Library, a branch of the Hennepin County Library, including numerous sculptures on display. 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
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 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
Exterior view of the Penn Lake branch of Hennepin County Library, 8800 Penn Avenue South, Bloomington, Minnesota. Nestled between large pine and oak trees, Penn Lake Library opened in 1970 -- the first free-standing library built in the City of Bloomington -- and was renovated in 2003. In the decades before 1970, the library operated out of various locations in the community including Bloomington Schools Administration Building (1954-1957) and Lincoln High School (1957-1962).
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view, with bike racks, of the Penn Lake branch of Hennepin County Library, 8800 Penn Avenue South, Bloomington, Minnesota. Nestled between large pine and oak trees, Penn Lake Library opened in 1970 -- the first free-standing library built in the City of Bloomington -- and was renovated in 2003. In the decades before 1970, the library operated out of various locations in the community including Bloomington Schools Administration Building (1954-1957) and Lincoln High School (1957-1962).
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The first library in the Osseo community opened in 1922 in the Commercial Club Room on the upper floor of the Hovorka drugstore. Over the next several years, the library moved to the local Town Hall, a space in the village s former jail, the Masonic building, and finally to its current location in Osseo City Hall at 415 Central Avenue.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Stacks area of the third location of the Richfield Public Library, a branch of the Hennepin County Library. Located at 70th Street and Nicollet Avenue South, this building was in use from 1961 to 1975 and was designed by architect Ralph Shimer, a Richfield resident.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the third location of the Richfield Public Library, a branch of the Hennepin County Library. Located at 70th Street and Nicollet Avenue South, this building was in use from 1961 to 1975 and was designed by architect Ralph Shimer, a Richfield resident.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Taken soon after construction, this photo shows the exterior of the third location of the Richfield Public Library, a branch of the Hennepin County Library. Located at 70th Street and Nicollet Avenue South, this building was in use from 1961 to 1975 and was designed by architect Ralph Shimer, a Richfield resident.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Robbinsdale branch of the Hennepin County Library, located at 4915 42nd Avenue North. Robbinsdale library patrons are now served by the Rockford Road Library in Crystal, Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Interior view of the Robbinsdale branch of the Hennepin County Library, showing a librarian at the reference desk and patrons reading. The library was located at 4915 42nd Avenue North. Robbinsdale library patrons are now served by the Rockford Road Library in Crystal, Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Interior of the Mound branch of the Hennepin County Library, showing a reference librarian and many patrons reading. Public library service in Mound and the surrounding communities began in 1915, when Minneapolis Public Library made a small book collection available to area residents. In 1922, Hennepin County Library assumed responsibility for the library in Mound, and it has since operated out of various community locations. The current Westonka Library opened in 1972.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
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
The Augsburg Park Library at 7100 Nicollet Avenue South, Richfield, Minnesota, opened in February of 1975. Following the purchase of 2.8 acres of land by Hennepin County from the City of Richfield for $99,500, InterDesign, Inc. was chosen as the architect and the Henry O. Mikkelson Company as the builder. The new building was two and a half times larger than its predecessor, the Richfield Library at 70th Street and NIcollet Avenue.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
ThIs Hennepin County Library bookmobile was displayed at the Hopkins County Fair, Aug. 15-18, 1940. It is shown parked with a display case of reading materials set up alongside it.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Children and youth are gathered in a reading area of the Camden Branch of the Minneapolis Public Library, which was housed in the John D. Webber Memorial Fieldhouse in Webber Park from 1910�1954. It was renamed Webber Park Library in 1954 and razed for a new library building in 1979.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
This shows the interior of the Camden Branch of the Minneapolis Public Library, which was housed in the John D. Webber Memorial Fieldhouse in Webber Park from 1910�1954. It was renamed Webber Park Library in 1954 and razed for a new library building in 1979.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Roosevelt High School seniors go through the central book stacks on a visit to the Minneapolis Public Library. A clipping taped to the back reads, " Back in the stacks, students see volumes not in popular use by library patrons. The public is not permitted in the stacks, but for the purposes of the tour, library officials allowed students to browse in the forbidden territory. Left to right, David Swanson, Joan Haenel, Wendell C. Anderson and Joan Dahl, front, enter the stacks."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Patrons fill the Reading Room of the Seven Corners Branch of Minneapolis Public Library, built in 1912 at 300 Fifteenth Avenue South and in use until 1967. The Seven Corners (Cedar-Riverside) area was teeming with new immigrants and the library was quite busy.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
"Copy of microfilm record made on reader-printer is trimmed and inserted in window envelope. Enclosed ia a reminder to the patron that his material is overdue. 4-7-1961."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
"Overdue notices are made automatically on a 'Filmac100' microfilm reader-printer from microfilmed records. Shown, Judy Berglin, Circulation. 4-7-1961."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Records and a record player in the Music Department of Minneapolis Public Library's Central Library. A clipping taped to the back reads, "Mrs. Gladys Wilson explains records available at the library lending room to Roosevelt High School students. Left to right, Mrs. Wilson, Nancy Smith, Jim Franklin, Janet Weber."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A clipping taped to the back reads, "Students visit the book bindery. Mrs. Zoe Oberg, at machine, demonstrates repair work to Roy Holmquist, Wesley Rust, Dorothy Risser and Marlene Cihlar."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
"Mrs. Janet Johnson of the Twin City Dairy Council explains a model dairy farm exhibit loaned by the Council to the Minneapolis Public Library Children's Room. Alyce Mee Underhill, head of the central children's room, is behind Mrs. Johnson. July 21, 1959."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
"Young people from high schools all over the city meet to look over school annuals and papers, read from the book collection especially selected for teen-agers and talk over school events in the Young People's Room at the Main Minneapolis Public Library."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
"The charging desk of the main library of the Minneapolis Public Library on a busy morning. At Registration desk, Violet Lux and Constance Burns Hoefer; at Information desk, Violet Lied; at Charging desk, Dorothy Joseph, Donna Hendrickson and Mary Lou Ofstied; in background of Charging desk, Charlotte Matson; pages at table, Frank Schneider, and Carol Leigh. Margaret McGuire is on the patron side of the desk in the Krimmer coat and Glenn M. Lewis, librarian in foreground, December 1949."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
"Mrs. Margaret A. Norton, 1912 Lyndale Avenue South, is pictured coloring slides in the Minneapolis Public Library Art Department. Making and coloring of slides is now part of the library WPA project. WPA workers have made 7,500 slides in recent years. In 1938, the lilbrary circulated 106,729 slides free."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
"More than 1,200 city and county residents -- from school children to senior citizens -- enjoy the new museum-planetarium each day. The new policy of holdling planetarium shows on Sunday afternoon has atrracted 1,500-1,600 persons, largely family groups, each Sunday."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A caption attached to this photo reads: "The lilbrary goes to the county -- Through the Hennepin Couty Library, 23 branches, 14 stations and 86 schools also receive library service in addition to the 300 neighborhood stops."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Children get on and off the Minneapolis Public Library bookmobile in May 1954. The Minneapolis Public Library was originally 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
Two Minneapolis Public Library bookmobiles are parked in front of First Baptist Church in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota while a worker loades delivery boxes. A note on the back reads, "The main library does all the ordering, cataloging and binding for the branches and stations; it maintains a central registration bureau; it houses the resevoir collection for all extension agencies; it holds the headquarters offices of the administrative and supervisory offices. Any addition to the system places a strain on the main building. Because of the lack of loading area Bookmobiles must be loaded for their trips on the public curb, after a long trek from the thrid floor headquarters of the Bookmobile service."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A label on the back reads "Minneapolis Public Library's new bookmobile, May 1952." The Minneapolis Public Library was originally 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
Stacks, periodical section and patrons using the Central Library of the Minneapolis Public Library. This facility, at 300 Nicollet Mall, was built in 1961 and housed the library until 2002.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Student representatives from each Minneapolis High School aid in setting up the exhibit "Youth Goes to War" in the Young People's Room of Minneapolis Public Library's Central Library.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
"Margaret Fletcher, Assistant in charge of Visual Aids, discusses selection of a film with Mrs. Allan Moore, while the Rev. Elder C. Anderson and George Grenander "preview" a film in a home-made projection unit, constructed from a cardboard carton. Visual Aids Service, Minneapolis Public Library, November, 1948."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Librarian Mrs. Elva Bailey, first head of the Minneapolis Public Library's Hospital Service, is shown bringing a cart of reading material to a Children's Ward in Minneapolis General Hospital in 1928.
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
Mrs. Smith, a librarian with the Minneapolis Public Library's Hospital Service, brings reading material to patients M. Morrison and Mr. Simoneau in a Men's ward of Parkview Hospital on 1938.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Librarian Ruth Kittel supplies books to children hospitalized in Minneapolis' General Hospital through the Minneapolis Public Library's Hospital Service.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Children in a ward of the Minneapolis General Hospital read materials provided by the Minneapolis Public Library's Hospital Service. A note on teh back indicates that the children's names are Charles, Betty and Mavis.
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 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 note on the back reads, "Miss Marie Graber, member of the Hospital Library Service staff, takes books to the bedside of St. Mary's Hospital patient Mrs. Leslie Palm, 3247 Girard Avenue North, Dec. 1949."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library