The Hennepin County Library service began in 1922 and originally had its offices in the downtown Minneapolis Public Library (Old Main). County services continued to operate out of the Minneapolis Central Library downtown from 1961-1973, when the County's library services moved to the Southdale Library. They later moved to the Ridgedale Library building in 1981, where they continue today.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
"Margaret Fletcher, Assistant in charge of Visual Aids, discusses selection of a film with Mrs. Allan Moore, while the Rev. Elder C. Anderson and George Grenander "preview" a film in a home-made projection unit, constructed from a cardboard carton. Visual Aids Service, Minneapolis Public Library, November, 1948."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The fiction section of the Northeast branch of Minneapolis Public Library which was built at 2200 Central Avenue Northeas in Minneapolis in 1972 to replace the 1915 Central Avenue branch at the same location.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Northeast branch of Minneapolis Public Library was built at 2200 Central Avenue Northeas in Minneapolis in 1972 to replace the 1915 Central Avenue branch at the same location.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
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
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.
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.