Interior view of the Edina Public Library. Edina Library was first housed out of Linden Hills School beginning in 1921. In the following decades, the library operated out of various locations in the community. Its first permanent location opened in 1968 on West 50th Street.�
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Interior view of the Edina Public Library. Edina Library was first housed out of Linden Hills School beginning in 1921. In the following decades, the library operated out of various locations in the community. Its first permanent location opened in 1968 on West 50th Street.�
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
This is one of various locations out of which the Minnetonka Public Library operated before moving to a permanent location on Excelsior Boulevard in 1989. Library service to this area of Hennepin County began in the late 1800s, when the library was housed in office space in the Fletcher-Loring Flour Mill at Minnetonka Mills.
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. It was the first free-standing library built in the City of Bloomington. The library was renovated in 2003. In the decades before 1970, the library operated out of various locations in the community including Bloomington Schools Administration Building (1954-57) and Lincoln High School (1957-62).
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Library service to the Long Lake community in western Hennepin County began in 1913, when the library was housed out of the Long Lake Bank Building. The library merged with the Hennepin County Library system in 1922. For several decades, the library operated out of various locations in the community, until it settled in a commercial storefront space in the Long Lake Town Center Mall in 1995.
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. It was the first free-standing library built in the City of Bloomington. The library was renovated in 2003. In the decades before 1970, the library operated out of various locations in the community including Bloomington Schools Administration Building (1954-57) and Lincoln High School (1957-62).
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Champlin Branch. Library service has been available to Champlin-area residents since the early 1900s. For most of the 20th century, library service was provided in a variety of small community locations.
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
In 1913, the Village of St. Louis Park voted to establish a public library and reading rooms in a location on Walker Street. The next year, the library moved to Central Junior High School, where it remained for more than 40 years. In 1960, it moved again to Paul Revere Masonic Temple. In 1968 the library opened in its first free-standing building, pictured here, at 3240 Library Lane. The building was subsequently renovated in 2014.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
In 1913, the Village of St. Louis Park voted to establish a public library and reading rooms in a location on Walker Street. The next year, the library moved to Central Junior High School, where it remained for more than 40 years. In 1960, it moved again to Paul Revere Masonic Temple. In 1968 the library opened in its first free-standing building, pictured here, at 3240 Library Lane. The building was subsequently renovated in 2014.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
In 1913, the Village of St. Louis Park voted to establish a public library and reading rooms in a location on Walker Street. The next year, the library moved to Central Junior High School, where it remained for more than 40 years. In 1960, it moved again to Paul Revere Masonic Temple. In 1968 the library opened in its first free-standing building, pictured here, at 3240 Library Lane. The building was subsequently renovated in 2014.
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.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Minneapolis Public Library bookmobile parked in a lot at Fiftieth Street and Knox Avenue in April 1966. Founded in 1885, the Minneapolis Public Library 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
Exterior view of Augsburg Park Library which has provided service in its current location since 1975. It is named after the park in which it is located. The library serves the Richfield community and residents of nearby Minneapolis. The library was renovated in 1988 and again in 2013.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Augsburg Park Library has provided service in its current location since 1975. It is named after the park in which it is located. The library serves the Richfield community and residents of nearby Minneapolis. The library was renovated in 1988 and again in 2013.
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
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
"This 1962 Hennepin County Library Bookmobile, one of two serving the 500 square mile area of rural and suburban Hennepin County, replaces a 1950 bookmobile. Carring 3000 volumes, it travels 1000 miles a month, serving over 6000 families, supplementing services of 23 county branch libraries."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A seating area in Augsburg Park Library which has provided service in its current location since 1975. It is named after the park in which it is located. The library serves the Richfield community and residents of nearby Minneapolis. The library was renovated in 1988 and again in 2013.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A woman looking at a book in the Literature and Language section of Minneapolis Public Library's Central Library. This facility, at 300 Nicollet Mall, was built in 1961 and housed the library until 2002. Founded in 1885, the Minneapolis Public Library 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
Library service to the Long Lake community in western Hennepin County began in 1913, when the library was housed out of the Long Lake Bank Building. The library merged with the Hennepin County Library system in 1922. For several decades, the library operated out of various locations in the community, until it settled in a commercial storefront space in the Long Lake Town Center Mall in 1995.
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
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
Library service to the Long Lake community in western Hennepin County began in 1913, when the library was housed out of the Long Lake Bank Building. The library merged with the Hennepin County Library system in 1922. For several decades, the library operated out of various locations in the community, until it settled in a commercial storefront space in the Long Lake Town Center Mall in 1995.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Wayzata Library serves Wayzata- and Lake Minnetonka-area residents. In 1905, space for a library was made available in Wayzata City Hall. When a fire destroyed City Hall in 1955, the library moved into a temporary location in the Kallstead Building. It reopened in 1957 in the new City Hall and again in its current location in Wayzata town square with a view of Lake Minnetonka.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Residents of Crystal, Minnesota were served by a branch of the Hennepin County Library that operated out of a variety of locations, until a number of nearby branches were consolidated into the Rockford Road Library, which opened in 1972.
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
Two people stand in front of the Maple Plain branch of the Hennepin County Library, with one of the delivery boxes used to transport materials to the branches. Library service to Maple Plain and the surrounding communities began in 1922, when the library was housed out of a former U.S. Post Office. For the next five decades, the library operated out of various locations in the community, with the first permanent location opening in 1973 in a commercial building at 5184 Main Street East.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Champlin Branch. Library service has been available to Champlin-area residents since the early 1900s. For most of the 20th century, library service was provided in a variety of small community locations.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A woman in a fur coat peruses a book from the Hennepin County Library Bookmobile on a snowy day. Shown in the background is the Hennepin Hardware Company building.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A Hennepin County Library bookmobile is parked in front of the Wayzata Public Library, housed at that time in the City Hall building\. Wayzata Library serves Wayzata- and Lake Minnetonka-area residents. In 1905, space for a library was made available in Wayzata City Hall. When a fire destroyed City Hall in 1955, the library moved into a temporary location in the Kallstead Building. It reopened in 1957 in the new City Hall and again in its current location in Wayzata town square with a view of Lake Minnetonka.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Ethel Berry stands next to the open side of an early Hennepin County Library bookmobile. A delivery box used to transport materials between library branches sits in the foreground.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
This room was dedicated to Mr. Greenleaf Clark, and is on the third floor of the library. The ceiling panels show the decorative patterns that will eventually be painted.
This photograph was taken from what is now Market Street between 4th and 5th Streets. Smoke is coming from the chimney of the James J. Hill Reference Library, indicating that the heating system is now working. Work is still being done on the main entrance to that library. A crane is still in front of the Saint Paul Public Library. An advertisement on the barricade reads "Say Gordon When You Say Hat."
This is the Reading Room, on the second floor of the library, looking from the east toward the west. The room is in the very early stages of interior work.
This photograph shows the then-Periodical Room (now known as the Nicholson Information Commons) completed without interior furnishings. The floor is tiled with cork. The ceiling has been painted and decorated. The door connects to the James J. Hill Reference Library.
The finished decoration of the Greenleaf Clark Room, which was also known as the General Reference room, of the Central Library of the Saint Paul Public Library. The panels on the ceiling have been painted, and the chandeliers hung. Today this is known as the Magazine Room.
Photograph is taken from the present day corners of Washington and 4th Streets. Landscaping is completed. The flag is flying from the third floor of the library. The identities of the people standing in front of the library are not known.
Completed ceiling decoration in the then-Circulation Room of the Central Library of the Saint Paul Public Library. Windows look out to Market Street. Today this room is known as the Non-fiction Room.
The photograph is taken from the staircase on the 4th Street side of the library. The oval decorative motif depicts the coat of arms of the library, a theme that is repeated within the library building.
The photograph is taken from an elevated position on present day Kellogg Boulevard. Building materials are piled up in the worksite. Note the three horse drawn wagons on the building site.
The photograph is taken from an elevated position on present day Kellogg Boulevard. A wooden staircase allows easy access to the second floor of the library. An advertisement on the barricade reads in part "Gordon Pure Fur?".
The photograph is taken from an elevated position on present day Kellogg Boulevard. The roof work is complete. A moving cover is in place over the skylights. Most of the windows have frames and are being sealed. Near photo's center, a man works on scaffold suspended from roof. Also a bell sits to the right edge of the pile of building materials, although neither the Central Library nor any branch of the Saint Paul Public Library is known to have a bell.
The photograph is taken from present day 4th Street. Work continues on the main entrance to the Saint Paul Public Library. Some windows remain open for delivery or removal of building materials.
The photograph is taken from an elevated position on present day Kellogg Boulevard. The scaffolds with their cranes, and the power lift have been removed. Finishing work continues on the room. Three rectangular openings on the roof will be for skylights. Windows that have the frames installed are now being sealed.
The photograph is taken from the present day corners of Washington and 4th Streets. The entrance on the far left of the photograph is for the James J. Hill Reference Library. The entrance to the center of the photograph is for the Saint Paul Public Library.
The photograph is taken from present day 4th corners of Washington and 4th Streets. Window frames are now installed being installed on the third floors of the library. The roof will soon enclose the library. The power lift is still needed for the finishing work.
The photograph is taken from an elevated position on present day Kellogg Boulevard. Roof trusses are in place and soon the roofing materials will be fixed in place. The power lift is still needed to move materials to the various floors of the library. Construction workers can be seen on the roof. Below the power lift can be seen three round arches. These arches make up the loading and delivery dock for the library.
The photograph is taken from present day 4th Street. The fa?ade is almost completed. Two building cranes are visible in front of the library. Window frames are now present on the second floor.
Photograph is taken from present day corners of Washington and 4th Streets. The exterior wall are completed. Work continues on the main entrances for both Saint Paul Public Library and James J. Hill Reference Library. A building cranes are still visible on site.
Photograph is taken from an elevated position of present day Kellogg Boulevard, looking towards Washington and 4th Streets. The exterior walls for all four floors are now completed. Roof trusses are now being set in place. Cranes are still visible in the section of the library facing Washington Street, as is a worker with a wheelbarrow on top of the library. Frames for the windows are visible in the construction yard.
Photograph is taken from an elevated position of present day Washington and 4th Streets. Foundation for the stair case and entrance of the library has begun. Workers present at the near corner between first and second floors (blurred), on the trusses just left of the photo's center and on the far right edge. Work on the roof of the James J. Hill Reference Library has begun.
Photograph is taken from an elevated position of present day Kellogg Boulevard, looking towards Washington and 4th Streets. The power lift has been extended to a further height to deliver building materials to the upper floors. Building bricks and aggregate for concrete are still present on the building site. Building cranes are almost obscured within the walls of the library. Note the addition of a service entrance to the James J. Hill Reference Library. The Cathedral of Saint Paul is visible in the upper left portion of the photograph.
Photograph is taken from an elevated position from present day corners of Washington and 4th Streets. The second floor is now enclosed and work begins on the third floor. The common wall between the Saint Paul Public Library and the James J. Hill Reference Library is visible. In the upper left portion of the photograph, workers on the fourth floor of the James J. Hill Reference Library.
Photograph is taken from elevated position of present day Kellogg Boulevard. On the right side of the photograph is the James J. Hill Reference Library. Interior scaffolding and supports are visible for both library buildings.
Photograph is taken from an elevated position from present day Market Street. Construction of the third floor begins. Scaffolding for the power lift and cranes has be raised in height. Interior scaffolds can be seen within the area of the second floor.
Photograph is taken from an elevated position from the corner of present day Washington and 4th Streets. The exterior of the second floor is almost complete. Scaffolding and cranes have been raised in height to begin working of the third floor. A wooden frame arch support is now in place above what will be the main entrance to the library.
Photograph is taken from an elevated position from present day Market Street. The wood frames for the arched windows can be seen in detail. Scaffolding is increasing in height to match construction of walls.
Photograph is taken from an elevated position from the corner of present day Washington and 4th Streets. The exterior of the second floor is almost complete. Scaffolding and cranes on the 4th Street side of the building have been raised in height.
Photograph is taken from an elevated position from present day Market Street. Work continues on the second floor, exterior walls continue to take shape. Near the center of the photo, a portable steam engine, or "donkey engine" appears to have steam coming out of its tall chimney.
Photograph is taken from an elevated position from the corner of present day Washington and 4th Streets. The upper left portion of the photograph shows the interior and exterior walls of the James J. Hill Reference Library. The lighter color portion is the exterior wall, and the darker portion the interior wall.
Photograph is taken from an elevated position from present day Washington and 4th Streets, looking towards present day Market Street and Kellogg Boulevard. Interior walls define the various rooms that will be on the second floor. Exterior construction of the James J. Hill Reference Library can now be clearly seen. Note the two workers below the what will be the staircase and main entry to the library.
A display of menorahs and books in the Sumner branch of Minneapolis Public Library, located at 611 Van White Memorial Boulevard, which opened in 1915. The Carnegie-funded building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Founded in 1885, the Minneapolis Public Library 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
A display in the Sumner branch of Minneapolis Public Library, located at 611 Van White Memorial Boulevard, which opened in 1915. The Carnegie-funded building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Founded in 1885, the Minneapolis Public Library 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