Ken Behringer retired from the Metropolitan Library Services Agency (MELSA), a regional public library system that serves the libraries in the seven-county Twin City metro area, in 2019. His career included becoming the first Executive Director of MNLINK, serving as the Director of the Dakota County Library and the Great River Regional Libraries, and library positions in Wyoming and the North Dakota State Library. In this interview, he describes the development of library services in Minnesota that he observed from various points in his career and as a lifelong library user. Behringer often found his role to be in working with local county decisionmakers as well as the state legislature to secure funding for libraries. That led to impacts on budgeting for improved library services, technological advances, and the development of regional and state-wide library systems that have strengthened the library community in the state. He also discusses the colleagues who have been influential throughout his career including Bill Asp, Bill DeJohn, Charlene Mason, Roseanne Byrne, and Mike Turbes. This interview also includes an audio recording, transcript, and photograph of the interviewee.
A letter from Fred S. Bell to the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library. Bell tenders his resignation as President of the Board of Directors after 20 years of service.
A letter to Jeannette A. Clark, librarian, from Fred S. Bell, Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library, regarding Winona Library Association funds usage toward library book purchases.
A letter from Fred S. Bell and Edward Lees, Executive Committee, to the Directors of the Winona Free Public Library regarding library staff examinations, positions, and compensation.
Blair, Burr D.; McConnon, Joseph; Whipple, William J.; Winona Free Public Library, Winona, Minnesota
Date Created:
1907-11-21
Description:
A letter to the Commissioners of Winona County, Minnesota, from a special committee appointed by the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library. The letter requests additional funding for the library from Winona County at a rate of $3.00 per year, per county patron.
Board of Directors, Winona Free Public Library, Winona, Minnesota
Date Created:
1898-10-03
Description:
The original check transferring the remaining funds from the Winona Library Association to the newly formed Winona Free Public Library, Winona, Minnesota. The check is signed by Fred S. Bell, president, and Edward Lees, secretary, of the Board of Directors of the library.
John T. Butler has served as the Associate University Librarian for Data and Technology at the University of Minnesota since 2008. Prior to that role, he was the inaugural Director of the University of Minnesota's Digital Library Development Lab, and also led the Science and Engineering Library at the University of Minnesota. In the interview, Butler discusses one of his earliest experiences working in libraries as a student for Minitex and other experiences leading up to his current role at the University of Minnesota libraries. Other topics discussed include: the development of the Minnesota Digital Library and the Minnesota Legacy Amendment funding; early mentors and influential colleagues Hank Rowan (Professor of Art, University of Minnesota), Susan Ardi (Engineering Librarian, University of Texas at Austin), Bill DeJohn, and Wendy Lougee; and his engagement with the Digital Public Library of America and HathiTrust. This interview also includes an audio recording, transcript, and photograph of the interviewee.
Ruth Dukelow retired as Director of CLIC (Cooperating Libraries in Consortium) in June 2019. Ruth Dukelow discusses her career as a librarian and director at libraries and consortia in Pennsylvania, Washington DC, North Carolina, Michigan, and Minnesota, culminating in her role as executive director of the CLIC Library System in the Twin Cities. Dukelow also mentions working with fellow OCLC network librarians from Minitex when she was at the Michigan Library Consortium such as Kathy Drozd, Becky Ringwelski, Mary Parker, and Carla Dewey Urban and traveling to OCLC headquarters for network meeting in the 1990s, and a memorable migration of the CLIC shared catalog to a next-generation library management system. This interview includes an audio recording, transcript, and photograph of the interviewee.
Keith Ewing, Coordinator of Library Systems & Digital Services at St. Cloud State University, retired in July 2017. Graduating with an MLS in 1979 from University of Texas at Austin, Ewing went on to work at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Nagoya University of Commerce and Business Administration, and in system and digital services roles at St. Cloud State University. In his interview, Keith disccusses internet and digital library technology in libraries, the inception of the Minnesota Digital Library, work on the first Minitex MEIR task force, the building of a new library at St. Cloud State University, mentors, and dinner with Ray Bradbury. This interview includes an audio recording and full transcript.
Executive Committee, Winona Free Public Library, Winona, Minnesota; Bell, Frederick Somers, 1859-1938; Lees, Edward
Date Created:
1899 - 1905
Description:
The fourth bulletin from the Winona Free Public Library's by-laws, chapter 2, article 3, and chapter 1, article 3. The bulletin details the librarian's duties, as well as the assistant librarian, Miss Black, and the first attendant, Miss Von Rohr. It is signed by the library's Executive Committee, Fred S. Bell, Edward Lees, and Mrs. S. W. Morgan.
Furniture Committee, Winona Free Public Library, Winona, Minnesota
Date Created:
1898-08-26
Description:
A letter to the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library from the Furniture Committee outlining the articles of furniture recommended for purchase for new library building.
Gay, J. F.; Northwestern Telephone Exchange Company, Winona, Minnesota
Date Created:
1899-01-17
Description:
A letter from the Northwestern Telephone Exchange Company to Fred S. Bell, Winona Free Public Library, regarding the offer of free telephone service for the new library building.
An estimate from Thomas J. Green, Heating and Ventilating Engineer, to change the heating in the Winona Public Library stack room, adding radiators and piping per the attached plan.
A letter from William Hayes to Edward Lees, President of the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library, regarding the donation of a Kenyon Cox "Light of Learning" mural painting to the library in memory of his wife, Charlotte Prentiss Hayes. Cox's copyright statement regarding his work is included.
Valerie Horton retired from her position as the director of Minitex in 2019. In this interview, she discusses her professional career beginning as a systems librarian at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. She also worked as a systems librarian at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces and in the islands of Trinidad and Tobago assisting with early library automation. Her career highlights included serving as library director at Colorado Mesa University, Colorado Library Consortium, and Minitex (2014-2019). Horton discusses some initiatives from her time at Minitex, including the Minnesota Digital Library, Ebooks Minnesota, SimplyE, and the Minnesota Libraries Publishing Project.
A photograph of children in the 1965-1966 11:15am preschool story hour in the Children's Department Storytime Room, Winona Public Library, Winona, Minnesota.
A photograph of children in the 1962-1963 11:15am preschool story hour in the Children's Department Storytime Room, Winona Public Library, Winona, Minnesota.
A photograph of children in the 1963-1964 9:15am preschool story hour in the Children's Department Storytime Room, Winona Public Library, Winona, Minnesota.
A photograph of children in the 1966-1967 10:15am preschool story hour in the Children's Department Storytime Room, Winona Public Library, Winona, Minnesota.
A photograph of children in the 1975 10:30am preschool story hour in the Children's Department Storytime Room, Winona Public Library, Winona, Minnesota.
A photograph of children in the 1967-1968 9:15am preschool story hour in the Children's Department Storytime Room, Winona Public Library, Winona, Minnesota.
A photograph of children in the 1974 9:15am preschool story hour in the Children's Department Storytime Room, Winona Public Library, Winona, Minnesota.
Keyes, D. W.; Mitchell, William B., 1832-1900; Benson, Charles; Young Men's Library Association, Winona, Minnesota
Date Created:
1867
Description:
Newspaper clippings that advertise the Young Men's Library Association Course of Lectures for 1867 in Winona, Minnesota. Scheduled to appear were Ralph Waldo Emerson, Professor Edward Youmans, Theodore Tilton, General Henry Sibley, Frederick Douglass, and Wendell Phillips.
Keyes, D. W.; Young Men's Library Association, Winona, Minnesota
Date Created:
1867-01 - 1867-05
Description:
A season ticket to the Young Men's Library Association Course of Lectures, from January 1 to May 1, 1867, in Winona, Minnesota. The ticket admits one lady and gentleman. Featured speakers include Ralph Waldo Emerson, Professor Edward Youmans, Theodore Tilton, General Henry H. Sibley, Frederick Douglass, Wendell Phillips, and Petroleum V. Nasby.
A letter from Warren Powers Laird, University of Pennsylvania, to Elmer E. Shephard, secretary of the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library. Laird redirects the library's inquiry regarding an addition to the book stacks to his colleague, Edgar V. Seeler.
The original hand-written letter from William Harris Laird to the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library to build a new library. Laird estimates the new building will cost $40,000, which he will provide. Actual costs exceeded that by approximately $10,000 and Laird covered the additional expense. The resolution by the Board of Directors accepting Laird's gift is also included, along with a transcribed version of the original proposition.
Wendy Pradt Lougee was the University Librarian and Dean of Libraries at the University of Minnesota from 2002-2020. Prior to that role, over a period of 20 years, she held several positions at the University of Michigan, including Director of the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library and Associate Director of the University Library for Digital Library Services. In this interview, Lougee traces her career path in Academic Libraries up to her latest role as University Librarian at the University of Minnesota. While at the University of Michigan Lougee put together the team that birthed JSTOR in the mid-1990s, a digital platform for accessing academic journals, which led to launching several other new digital projects and publishing projects. Lougee discusses the national organizations and boards she served on over the course of her career such as the Research Libraries Group, the Council on Library and Information Resources, the Digital Library Federation, Council on Library and Information Resources, the Association of Research Libraries, HathiTrust, and the Big Ten Academic Alliance. Other topics discussed include: working with Minitex; colleagues that made an impact on Lougee's work such as Dick Dougherty, Dan Atkins, Paul Courant, and Governor Elmer Andersen; the awarding of the National Medal for Libraries and Museums to the University of Minnesota Libraries; and a few future library environment forecasts. This interview also includes an audio recording, transcript, and photograph of the interviewee.
Barbara Misselt led the East Central Regional Library as Library System Director for 9 years, retiring April 1, 2017. Misselt's first library job was at the Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, before moving to SELCO (Southeastern Libraries Cooperating) in Rochester, Minnesota, and ending her career at East Central Regional Library in Cambridge, Minnesota. In the interview, she discusses her connection to Minitex, working with former Minitex Director Bill DeJohn, Becky Ringwelski (former Associate Director of Minitex for Resource Sharing), Kathy Drozd (former Assistant Director for Delivery), and other influential colleagues from Minnesota libraries and the State Library. This interview includes an audio recording and full transcript.
Morrison, Mrs. D. B.; Wenonah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Winona, Minnesota
Date Created:
1912-04-13
Description:
A letter from Mrs. D. B. Morrison, secretary of the Wenonah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, to Burr D. Blair, President of the Laird Library Board, Winona, Minnesota. The letter notes the gift of a flag to the Winona Free Public Library.
A letter from Lydia M. Poirier, Librarian at Duluth Public Library, Minnesota, to E. E. Stugard, Board of Directors of the Winona Public Library, regarding library salaries.
Putnam, Herbert; Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts
Date Created:
1898-04-02
Description:
A letter from Herbert Putnam, librarian, Boston Public Library, to Fred S. Bell, president of the Board of Directors of the Winona Free Public Library, Winona, Minnesota. The letter acknowledges Boston Public Library's receipt of a blue print of the Winona Free Public Library's floor plan and two photographs of the building's exterior as a gift to the library.
Joan Roca retired from his role as Dean of Library Services at Minnesota State University Mankato in 2018. In this interview, he discusses his professional history, including his role and recollections of the development of the PALS software, his work on MNLINK systems integration committee, and as a member of other library professional committees. Joan credits several of his mentors -- Dale Carrison, Sylverna Ford, Bill DeJohn, Mary Parker, Keith Ewing, Tom Shaughnessy, and Wendy Lougee -- as having positive and lasting impacts on his career trajectory. This interview also includes an audio recording, transcript, and photograph of the interviewee.
A letter from Henry H. Sibley, St. Paul, Minnesota, to Charles Benson, President of the Young Men's Library Association (YMLA), regarding his upcoming speaking engagement in Winona, Minnesota. Sibley's lecture on the "Early Times of Minnesota" took place on the last day in February in 1867 and was sponsored by the YMLA.
A descriptive and photographic booklet about the Winona Free Public Library's Laird Library Building, Winona, Minnesota. The booklet includes floor plans and photographs of notable architectural features of the library.
A leaflet describing The Light of Learning mural painting by Kenyon Cox in the Winona Free Public Library, Winona, Minnesota. The mural was donated by William Hayes in memory of his wife, Charlotte Prentiss Hayes.
The Articles of Incorporation for the Winona Library Association, Winona, Minnesota. The document is stamped as registered with Winona County and the Minnesota Secretary of State.
A check from the Treasurer of the Winona Library Association to J.E. Prentiss for insurance in the amount of fifteen dollars, signed by E. (Ernest) A. Gerdtzen, Secretary, and O. (Ozro) B. Gould, President. The check is number 18 and dated April 28, 1874.
The minutes of a special meeting of the Winona Library Association to certify and adopt the City resolution to create a free public library in Winona. The minutes include attached local newspaper clippings related to the resolution.
A notice of a special meeting of the Winona Library Association to consider and vote upon the transfer of all property of the Association to the City of Winona, as contemplated in the ordinance creating a Free Public Library, passed by the City Council on March 8, 1886.
The agreement hand-signed by individual subscribers to the Winona Library Association, promising a contribution of at least ten dollars each year for the next five years.
The agreement hand-signed by individual subscribers to the Winona Library Association, promising a contribution of at least five dollars each year for the next five years.
A leaflet containing a list of paintings by Nicholas R. Brewer of New York, given under the auspices of the Ruskin Art Club, at the Winona Public Library. The exhibit was held from November 17 - 27, 1915.
An informational leaflet about the materials and services available at the Winona Public Library, Winona, Minnesota. A monthly calendar of exhibits, titled "College Art in Minnesota," is included.
A leaflet containing a list of Adelaide Magner's paintings displayed during the exhibit at the Winona Public Library, along with some brief biographical information. The exhibit took place from April 30 to May 7, 1917.
A leaflet containing a list of Austin Willard Lord's paintings displayed during the exhibit at the Winona Public Library, along with some brief biographical information. The exhibit took place from November 9 - 20, 1916.
A booklet on the history of the Winona Public Library in its first 50 years of service to the community of Winona, Minnesota. Photographs of William Harris Laird, Fred S. Bell, the library and its patrons are included.
Young Men's Library Association, Winona, Minnesota
Date Created:
1863-06-13
Description:
The Articles of Incorporation for the Young Men's Library Association, Winona, Minnesota. The document is noted as registered with Winona County and the State of Minnesota.
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.
