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.