Report of the first annual meeting of the Minnesota Library Association held on December 29, 1891 in the rooms of the State Historical Society in St. Paul with the purpose to organize State Library Association based on recommendations of the American Library Association and similar to associations in other states. Motion was made to create a constitution which was submitted and approved after the meeting [available separately]. Elected officers for the next year are William W. Folwell, President; Helen McCaine, Vice President; and J.F. Williams, Secretary & Treasurer. The Secretary was directed to prepare a circular announcing the organization and be sent to every librarian in the State.
Original constitution of the Minnesota Library Association stating a purpose of mutual aid and cooperation within the library profession with the advantages gained from sharing ideas gained from work experience. Open to all persons engaged in library work in Minnesota as a librarian, and officers or directors of libraries. Calls for one-year appointments to the offices of president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and a five- member executive committee within the organization. A $1.00 fee will be charged , with no annual dues, and annual meetings will be held during the annual meeting of the Minnesota Educational Association. Lists amendments dated December 26, 1898 regarding membership, the executive committees, annual dues, and annual meetings.
List of the names and libraries of the initial MLA members in 1891 plus the members added each year from 1892-1896. Members libraries include the State University (University of Minnesota), Carlton College, St. Olaf, the State Historical Society, and the public libraries in St. Paul, Duluth, Minneapolis, Stillwater, Mankato, Anoka, Red Wing, St. Peter and Rochester, the Chicago Library Bureau, the Minneapolis Bar Association, and the State Librarian, Col. Taylor, M.H.H. Notable members include Dr. W.W. Folwell, Fletcher Williams, Gratia Countryman, Claire F. Baldwin, Alexander Ramsey, former Minnesota governor, and Gertrude B. McPherson.
Letter from William W. Folwell, University of Minnesota Librarian to J. Fletcher Williams, Minnesota Historical Society Librarian, dated 12/23/1891, asking Williams to call for the formation of a state library association to meet in connection with the State Teachers Association in order to foster public school libraries.
Report of the second annual meeting of the Minnesota Library Association held December 26, 1892 in the rooms of the State Historical Society in St. Paul. Total association membership equals 15. Minutes were read, officers elected for the coming year, and a call for meetings to be held quarterly rather than annually to encourage interest in the organization. J.F. Williams read a paper on "The Librarian as a Public Servant" and Dr. Hosmer read a paper on "Browsing." The topic of freedom on access to library shelves discussed, with group agreeing that more freedom was better.
Report of the third annual meeting of the Minneapolis Library Association held December 27, 1893 in the Minneapolis Public Library. Topics discussed include devices displayed for librarians at the World's Fair, and the advance printed catalogue cards. Resolution in support of the Printing Bill to distribute public documents with request for support from Minnesota senators.
Report of the Spring Quarterly Meeting of the Minnesota Library Association held March 29, 1893 in the rooms of the State Historical Society with 19 members present. Welcome by Ex- Governor Ramsey. Minutes were read and approved. Topics discussed include library architecture (Dr. Folwell), open versus closed stacks and freedom of access for patrons, and a proposed system of travelling libraries to be sent around the state (Miss Countryman). Resolution made expressing sympathy for J. Fletcher Williams in his present illness.
Report of the fifth annual meeting of the Minnesota Library Association held December 29, 1896 in St. Paul at the State Library Association offices and in Minneapolis at the Public Library.
Printed program for the Minnesota Library Association fifth annual meeting held December 29, 1896 in St. Paul at the State Library Association offices and in Minneapolis at the Public Library. Cited topics and agenda items include school and college libraries, recent A.L.A. meeting, public library patrons, children in libraries, fund raising for town libraries, reports from the libraries in Anoka, Red Wing, Mankato, Stillwater, and St. Cloud, responsibilities of the library trustee, and the business meeting with election of officers, plus statement of persons eligible to join the association and persons invited to attend the annual meeting, the program of events, place of meeting, railroad rates, statement of value of attending the meeting, and a call for questions to be discussed.
Notes from the 6th annual meeting of the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) held on December 14-1, 1898 at the new library building in Rochester, Minnesota. Notes include a list of attendees, amendments to the constitution, resolutions and the list of officers elected.
Program for the 6th annual meeting of the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) held on December 14-16, 1898 at the Rochester Public Library in Rochester, Minnesota. Welcome addresses were presented by Burt W. Eaton, Mayor of Rochester and Dr. William W. Folwell of the University of Minnesota. Discussion topics cited include developing interest in the library, the relationship between the librarian and the community, library services for children, the state of libraries in Minnesota, book buying for small libraries, and the best new books of 1898.
Title list and author (last name only) of the Minnesota Library Association Travelling Library Number 2. List contains titles of forty volumes of a variety of fiction and non-fiction materials, as well as magazines such as Harper's and Youth's Companion. Notes indicate the collection circulated to Barnum, Midway, Deerwood and Thompson, Minnesota.
Title list and author (last name only) of the Minnesota Library Association Travelling Library Number 3. List contains titles of forty volumes of a variety of fiction and non-fiction materials, as well as magazines such as Ladies Home Journal. Notes indicate the collection circulated to Deerwood, Biwabic and Barnum, Minnesota.
Title list and author (last name only) of the Minnesota Library Association Travelling Library Number 1. List contains titles of forty volumes of a variety of fiction and non-fiction materials, as well as magazines such as Godey's and Cosmopolitan. Note indicate the collection circulated to Thompson, Carleton, Midway, Barnum and Iron River, Minnesota between 1898 and 1902.
Title list and author (last name only) of the Minnesota Library Association Traveling Library No. 4 containing forty volumes of fiction and non-fiction. Notes indicate this collection was circulated to Midway, Barnum, and Carleton locations in 1898-1900.
Title list and author (last name only) of the Minnesota Library Association Traveling Library No. 5 containing forty volumes of fiction and non-fiction. Notes indicate this collection was circulated to Biwabik and Midway locations in 1898-1899.
Title list and author (last name only) of the Minnesota Library Association Traveling Library No. 6 containing forty volumes of fiction and non-fiction. Notes indicate this collection was circulated to Carlton, Thompson, and Midway locations in 1898.
Program for the 7th annual conference of the Minnesota Library Association (MLA), which was held on October 17-18, 1899 in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Welcome address was presented by C. F. MacDonald, president of the St. Cloud Library Board. Discussion topics cited include technical training and cataloging, care and use of periodicals, best reference books, and the role of trustees.
Notes from the 7th annual conference of the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) which was held on October 17-18, 1899 in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The welcome address was presented by C. F. MacDonald, President of the St. Cloud Library Board. A short class on the cataloging was conducted by Mrs. W. J. Southward. The evening program was omitted so that the Association could attend a meeting of the State Federation of Women's Clubs and hear an address by Federation president Margaret J. Evans. On the second day of the conference the Library Association visited the state Normal School, hosted by school President Kleeburger. Officers were elected and further papers were presented on the topics of library rules and regulations, bulletin boards and special lists, best reference books, and the responsibilities of the library trustee.
Registration list of attendees at the 7th annual conference of the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) which took place on October 17-18, 1899 in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Notes from the 8th annual conference of the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) held on October 1-2 at the Free Library of Winona, Minnesota. William W. Folwell, president of the association presided over the conference. The welcome address was given by F. S. Bell, president of the Winona Library Board. Presentations included "Progress of the State Library Commission" by Clara Baldwin, "The Library in Educational Work" by Alice N. Farr, "Happenings at the Desk" by Julia Hess, "The Reading of our Youth" by Lettie M. Krafts, a discussion of Napoleon and the Louisian Purchase by By James K. Hosmer, "Bookbinding and Repair" by Otto Wolff, "Newspaper Clippings" by Evelyn Crandall Lyon, and "The Library and the Farmer" by Willet M. Hays. A list of elected officers is included. Following the association meeting, the State Library Commission hosted a meeting on the topic of travelling libraries for all interested association members.
Program for the 8th annual conference of the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) held on October 1-2, 1900 in Winona, Minnesota. The welcome address was given by F. S. Bell, President of the Winona Library Board. Discussion topics include the development of the State Library Commission, youth reading, Napoleon and the Louisiana Purchase, book binding, and the librarian and the farmer.
Registration list of attendees at the 8th annual conference of the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) which took place on October 1-2, 1900 in Winona, Minnesota.
Notes from the 9th annual conference of the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) held on October 14-15, 1901 in Stillwater, Minnesota. Presentations included "Our State Publications" by Warren Upham of the Minnesota Historical Society, "Reference Work" by Mrs. C. M. Beals,"Beginnings of an Art Library" by Katherine Patten, "The Children's Department" by Mrs. A. C. Ellison, "Work With the Children" by Agnes Libby, "History and Literature" by Willis M. West, "Selection and Purchase of Books" by Jessie McMillan, and "Library Architecture" by Marie E. Brick. A list of elected officers and resolutions is included.