Gene Wicht, Isanti County Commissioner, Marlys Palmer, Cambridge Mayor, Ron Drude and Kathy Ellis, East Central Regional Library Board members cut the ribbon at the Gates Computer Lab Open House on Feb. 11, 2002 in East Central Regional Library Headquarters, 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.
Portrait of Irene E. Olson (1926 -2023of Roseau. Irene's family moved to Roseau in 1962. She was the secretary for Mr. Oscar Almquist, principal of Roseau High School for 9 years and worked at Polaris for over 13 years. In 1991 she co-chaired the Central Committee that produced the Roseau County Heritage book for the Roseau County Historical Society. In 1994, Hazel Wahlberg and Irene co-chaired the committee that produced the Roseau County Centennial 1995 book. Irene loved history and kept her personal journals since 1960. She did the research for the pictures “Remembering Roseau County” in the Roseau Times Region since 1991 and the radio program “Looking Back in Time”, stories of Roseau County settlers for 13 years. She was on the Roseau County Historical Board, being President, Vice President and serving on the board since 1990. Irene died on September 15, 2023.
The Ard Godfrey House (28 SE University Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota), a dwelling of Edwin Clark, with the great grandson of Edwin Clark, Clark Davis, and other relatives and friends as visitors.
Reference Librarian, Mark Ranum. The East Central Regional Library Reference Department handles requests from all the libraries for materials on a wide variety of subjects. 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.
Phil Meyer (right), hired to implement East Central Regional Library's automation system, and a Dynix system representative in the headquarters computer room in Cambridge, Minnesota on the first day of automation, 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.
Mary Johnson served as Assistant Director of East Central Regional Library from 1988-2000. 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.
Poster announcing the First Annual Founders' Day Matinee Party and Dance. This event was open to people over forty and featured live music, special guests, entertainers, door prizes, and a dance contest. The party was at Arnellia's located at 1183 University Avenue in St. Paul.
Portrait of Swedish American fiddler who plays Swedish music at the American Swedish Institute with the ASI Spelmanslag. He created that group in 1985 and was recognized as an NEA National Heritage Fellow in 1996.
Vernis Anderson, clerk at the Headquarters of East Central Regional Library, files locations cards to indicate where items are located throughout the system, 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.
Dr. Robert K. Anderson and his Gentle Leader dog harness. In 1956, the University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine and School of Public Health developed a joint program in veterinary public health, and Anderson became the first director. For more than three decades he taught both veterinary students and public health students about food safety, zoonotic diseases, and epidemiology. Dr. Anderson developed the Gentle Leader collar with Ruth Foster, then President of the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors. The collar became widely popular when released in 1989. "Dogs are the only animals we train by choking" Anderson said.
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.
Library Director Jerry Young, Library Board member Jacqueline Padula, and Commissioner Natalie Haas-Steffen cut the ribbon of the new Round Lake Library in front of a eager crowd of children.
Ludie Thomas pours drinks for some young patrons while Laurel Harris and Bill Nelson chat in the background during the grand opening of the Round Lake Library.
Judy Young waits with a group of patrons while Library Board President Earl Czech speaks a few words during the grand opening of the Rum River Library.
Wendy Prokosch has been the Mora Public Library Branch Librarian since 1978 in Mora, 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.
Sue Sharp was the Pine City Public Library Branch Librarian from 1979-1983 in Pine City, 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.
Sue Wilson was the Lindstrom Public Library Branch Librarian from 1981-2005 in Lindstrom, 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.
Sue Thue was the Sandstone Public Library Branch Librarian from 1981-2005 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.
Ruth Lovgren was the Hinckley Public Library Branch Librarian from 1963-1993 in Hinckley, 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.
Seen here stamping children's books for checkout, Robin Suhsen was the Princeton Area Branch Librarian from 1987 to 2015, Princeton, 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.
Penny Olson has been the McGregor Public Library Branch Librarian since 1987 in McGregor, 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.
Linda Bergerson was the North Branch Area Library Branch Librarian from 1982-1999 in North Branch, 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.
Jeanette Monthye was the Rush City Public Library Branch Librarian from 1983-2009, Rush City, 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.
Janet Ronnback was the Aitkin Public Library Branch Librarian from 1984-1992 in Aitkin, 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.
Diane Skelnick was the Mille Lacs Lake Community Library Branch Librarian from 1986-2002 in Isle, 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.
Milaca Community Library's first home was in the village hall when it joined East Central Regional Library in 1959-1968. In 1986, when the city moved its offices to the public works building, the library was offered the entire main floor of its former home. 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.
Photo taken to commemorate Horticultural Awareness Week. Ruth Krognes, Bagley Club Vice Chairman and Gene Beltz Jr Farmers Independent are holding a vase of flowers.
Ron McGriff served as Assistant Director of East Central Regional Library from 1976-1984. 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.
Swedish Prince Bertil sits in front of dining room fireplace at the American Swedish Institute as Bill Carlson, television interviewer, talks with the prince. Completed in 1908, the Swan J. Turnblad mansion was built in the French Chateauesque style. The house became the American Swedish Institute in 1929.
Swedish royalty poses in the Turnblad mansion during their visit. Bernhard LeVander is the president of the American Swedish Institute and brother of Governor Harold LeVander.
A photograph showing Mary Lou Stutzka, Library Assistant, checking out a book at the Children's Department Checkout Desk in the Winona Public Library, Winona, Minnesota.
Minnesota State Horticultural Society officers Nathan Siegel and Glenn Ray greet Gov. Rudy Perpich as he arrives at the 1977 Minnesota State Horticultural Society convention banque.t
Explorer Will Steger stands on a table with a dogsled in a conference room. Duncan Storlie, Steger's partner in the business Lynx Track Winter Travel, stands nearby.