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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Interior of the Linden Hills branch of the Minneapolis Public Library, showing the Adult Fiction section. The branch moved into this building at 2900 West Forty-third Street in 1931, with a stock of 10,000 books. In 2000 the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Interior of the Linden Hills branch of the Minneapolis Public Library, showing the Adult Fiction section looking toward the circulation desk. The branch moved into this building at 2900 West Forty-third Street in 1931, with a stock of 10,000 books. In 2000 the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Interior of the Linden Hills branch of the Minneapolis Public Library, from the Reading Room looking toward Adult Non-Fiction and entrance. The branch moved into this building at 2900 West Forty-third Street in 1931, with a stock of 10,000 books. In 2000 the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Children's Room of the Linden Hills branch of Minneapolis Public Library. The branch moved into this building at 2900 West Forty-third Street in 1931, with a stock of 10,000 books. In 2000 the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Sandstone Public Library, built in 1960, is located in the same building as the village hall in Sandstone, 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.
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
Margaret Talbert was the Milaca Community Library Branch Librarian from 1962-1982 in Milaca, 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 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 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
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
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
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
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
Leona Medin began as East Central Regional Library's Administrative Assistant under Marjorie Pomeroy's tenure, and remained in the position until 1979, 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 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
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
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
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. It is located in a scenic setting on a wooded site near Lake Minnetonka.
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
St. Bonifacius Library opened in 1931 in the former People's State Bank Building. It was donated to the Village of St. Bonifacius for use as a library by local landowners Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Gale. The building, which was constructed in 1916, had no running water, restrooms or central heating and cooling until 1987. The library was renovated in 2006. It serves residents of St. Bonifacius, Mound, Minnetrista, Waconia and Westonka.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
St. Bonifacius Library opened in 1931 in the former Peoples State Bank Building. It was donated to the Village of St. Bonifacius for use as a library by local landowners Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Gale. The building, which was constructed in 1916, had no running water, restrooms or central heating and cooling until 1987. The library was renovated in 2006. It serves residents of St. Bonifacius, Mound, Minnetrista, Waconia and Westonka.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
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. It is located in a scenic setting on a wooded site near Lake Minnetonka.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
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. It is located in a scenic setting on a wooded site near Lake Minnetonka.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
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. It is located in a scenic setting on a wooded site near Lake Minnetonka.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior 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
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
This building used to house the Robbinsdale Community Library, a branch of the Hennepin County Library. Built in 1925 by the Robbinsdale Library Club on Rockford Road, now known as 42nd Avenue North, it now houses the Robbinsdale Historical Society and Robbin Gallery
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
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. It is located in a scenic setting on a wooded site near Lake Minnetonka.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
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. It is located in a scenic setting on a wooded site near Lake Minnetonka.
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
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
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
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 an East-West road in Hennepin County.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Construction of an addition to the East Central Regional Library Headquarters building in Cambridge, Minnesota, began in 1974 with Director Darro Willey (shown) in charge of the project. 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.
Construction of an addition to East Central Regional Library Headquarters in Cambridge, Minnesota, began in 1974, with the addition built between the existing library (in the foreground with the vertical construction slats) and the courthouse to the north. 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 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
Oxboro Library was the second free-standing library built in the City of Bloomington. It serves Bloomington- and Richfield-area residents, and is named for the historic neighborhood in which it is located. The library sits on land farmed by the Erasmus Biscof family from 1912 to the early 1970s. It opened in 1975 and was renovated in 2004.�
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Oxboro Library was the second free-standing library built in the City of Bloomington. It serves Bloomington- and Richfield-area residents, and is named for the historic neighborhood in which it is located. The library sits on land farmed by the Erasmus Biscof family from 1912 to the early 1970s. It opened in 1975 and was renovated in 2004.�
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
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.
Corner of Fourth Avenue South and West St. Germain, St. Cloud, Minnesota. The Hays Theatre was demolished in 1977, and the library was constructed in its place. On the right is the old U.S. Federal Building and Post Office, which at the time of this image was being used as St. Cloud's City Hall.
Exterior view of the Brooklyn Park Library. Brooklyn Park Library has provided service in its current location since 1976. Prior to 1976, the Hennepin County Library bookmobile served Brooklyn Park-area residents.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
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.
Interior view of the Brooklyn Park Library. Brooklyn Park Library has provided service in its current location since 1976. Prior to 1976, the Hennepin County Library bookmobile served Brooklyn Park-area residents.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Children's area of the Brooklyn Park Library. Brooklyn Park Library has provided service in its current location since 1976. Prior to 1976, the Hennepin County Library bookmobile served Brooklyn Park-area residents.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
St. Anthony Library has been providing service to St. Anthony and northeast Minneapolis residents since 1963, when it opened in a storefront in the east end of the St. Anthony Shopping Center.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Brooklyn Park Library. Brooklyn Park Library has provided service in its current location since 1976. Prior to 1976, the Hennepin County Library bookmobile served Brooklyn Park-area residents.
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
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
First Street North, looking south, St. Cloud, Minnesota. The Hays Theatre was demolished in 1977, and the St. Cloud Public Library was constructed in its place.
Facing the intersection of West St. Germain and Fourth Avenue South. The old U.S. Federal Building and Post Office, which at the time of this image was being used as St. Cloud's City Hall is at upper left.
Southdale Library opened in 1973 and was the second library built in the City of Edina. When it opened, the library offered a new level of library service in suburban Hennepin County because of its large collection of reference and popular materials. Located at 7001 York Avenue South, Edina, Minnesota, the library is part of a larger complex that houses district courts and a Hennepin County service center.
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
Back of the library looking southeast down Fourth Avenue. The eastern curve of the ""ring road"" encircling the central business district of St. Cloud, which was created as an urban renewal project in the early 1970s, can be seen here.