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