The Aitkin Public Library, built in 1911, is the only East Central Regional Library branch to have received funds from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. It served the Aitkin, Minnesota community until 1991 when a new library was built. 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.
From left: Ardith Kane, Emma Hendrickson, Mary Beth Woodrow, Mary Ellen Moriarty, and Bob Boese are proud of the new library building in Aitkin in 1994. 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.
"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
"Art Department of the Minneapolis Public Library, Dec. 13, 1926. Before the Music Department was moved from the front room. Leonora Mann (left) and Ruth Thompson (right) at the charging desk. Phot made by J.H. Kammerdiener and given by him to the Minneapolis Collection, April 1942."
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
Exterior view of the Augsburg Park Library. The 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
Circulation desk of the Augsburg Park Library. The 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 Augsburg Park Library. The 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
Reading chairs in the Augsburg Park Library. The 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
Information desk in the Augsburg Park Library. The 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 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
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
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
Minnesota author Jon Hassler signing books after his book talk at East Central Regional Library, 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.
Barb Nord worked at East Central Regional Library from 1971 until her death in 2003. In addition to managing delivery services, she also worked at the Headquarters circulation desk 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.
Interior of the Brooklyn Center branch of the Hennepin County Library system, looking out from behind librarians' counter. Two library staff members are assisting three women at the counter.
Published as: Biennial Report of the State Public Library Commission of Minnesota, First to Third, 1899/1900 - 1903/1904; Minnesota Public Library Commission Biennial Report, Fourth to Tenth, 1905/1906 - 1916/1918; Biennial Report, Library Division (State of Minnesota, Department of Education), First/Eleventh to Third/Thirteenth, 1919/1920 - 1923/1924). The thirteen reports of the series were issued separately and later bound in one volume. Selected photographs of Minnesota public libraries are included in most reports.
Contributing Institution:
Division of State Library Services, Minnesota Department of Education
Director Bob Boese, with a woman from Isanti County near a book display during the 40th anniversary celebration of the East Central Regional Library, 1999. 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.
East Central Regional Library's Director, Bob Boese, testing one of three public catalog stations on the first day of the automation system, IMPACK, 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 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
East Central Regional Library's last bookmobile. Purchased in 1996 for $103,000, it was the first new bookmobile in 20 years. It was built on a Bluebird bus chassis, held 3,500 items, had an onboard generator and a lift for accessibility, and it featured an ""air ride."" East Central Regional Library ended bookmobile services in May 2009. 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.
In 1986, the box from a previous East Central Regional Library bookmobile was mounted on a new truck frame. Because the lights and heat ran off the alternator, it did not run during the coldest months. Nevertheless, it logged 298,000 miles during its service. Founded in 1959, 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.
"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
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
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
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
The Great River Regional Library Bookmobile is shown parked in front of the Royalton Community Library, a branch of the Great River Regional Library in Royalton, Minnesota.
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