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
Interior of the Mound branch of the Hennepin County Library, showing a reference librarian and many patrons reading. 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.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Sumner Branch of the Minneapolis Public Library is removed from its foundation and relocated 100 feet north to accommodate Olson Memorial Highway. Exterior of the Sumner branch of Minneapolis Public Library, located at 611 Van White Memorial Boulevard, which opened in 1915. Photo was taken during the move. The Carnegie-funded building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Founded in 1885, the Minneapolis Public Library grew to include a Central Library and fourteen branches. In 2008 the library was merged into the Hennepin County Library system.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Sumner Branch of the Minneapolis Public Library is removed from its foundation and relocated 100 feet north to accommodate Olson Memorial Highway. Exterior of the Sumner branch of Minneapolis Public Library, located at 611 Van White Memorial Boulevard, which opened in 1915. Photo taken during the move. The Carnegie-funded building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Founded in 1885, the Minneapolis Public Library grew to include a Central Library and fourteen branches. In 2008 the library was merged into the Hennepin County Library system.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Mrs. Smith, a librarian with the Minneapolis Public Library's Hospital Service, brings reading material to patients M. Morrison and Mr. Simoneau in a Men's ward of Parkview Hospital on 1938.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The interior of the Longfellow branch of the Minneapolis Public Library. Formerly a private residence, in 1937 the house was converted to serve as a library by the Works Progress Administration. In 1968 it was replaced by the Nokomis Community Library.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Children's room of the Longfellow branch of the Minneapolis Public Library. Formerly a private residence, in 1937 the house was converted to serve as a library by the Works Progress Administration. In 1968 it was replaced by the Nokomis Community Library.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The interior of the Longfellow branch of the Minneapolis Public Library. Formerly a private residence, in 1937 the house was converted to serve as a library by the Works Progress Administration. In 1968 it was replaced by the Nokomis Community Library.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The exterior of the Longfellow branch of the Minneapolis Public Library. Formerly a private residence, in 1937 the house was converted to serve as a library by the Works Progress Administration. In 1968 it was replaced by the Nokomis Community Library.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Workers in the cafeteria of Minneapolis Public Library's Central Library in 1937. A note on the back identifies the woman on the left as Mrs. Elizabeth Ryan.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The exterior of the Longfellow branch of the Minneapolis Public Library. Formerly a private residence, in 1937 the house was converted to serve as a library by the Works Progress Administration. In 1968 it was replaced by the Nokomis Community Library.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The front entrance of the Longfellow branch of the Minneapolis Public Library. Formerly a private residence, in 1937 the house was converted to serve as a library by the Works Progress Administration. In 1968 it was replaced by the Nokomis Community Library.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The sun porch reading room of the Longfellow branch of the Minneapolis Public Library. Formerly a private residence, in 1937 the house was converted to serve as a library by the Works Progress Administration. In 1968 it was replaced by the Nokomis Community Library.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Student representatives from each Minneapolis High School aid in setting up the exhibit "Youth Goes to War" in the Young People's Room of Minneapolis Public Library's Central Library.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Roosevelt branch of the Minneapolis Public Library, at 4026 Twenty-eighth Avenue South, opened in 1927 and wasadded to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior of the Pillsbury branch of the Minneapolis Public Library, located at 100 University Avenue Southeast, Minneapolis, Minnesota. This branch was in service from 1904 to 1967, when it was replaced by the Southeast branch.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The first library in the Osseo community opened in 1922 in the Commercial Club Room on the upper floor of the Hovorka drugstore. Over the next several years, the library moved to the local Town Hall, a space in the village s former jail, the Masonic building, and finally to its current location in Osseo City Hall at 415 Central Avenue.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Linden Hills branch of the Minneapolis Public Library moved into this building at 2900 West Forty-third Street in 1931, with a stock of 10,000 books. In 2000 the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Hosmer branch of Minneapolis Public Library, with streetcar rails visible. Originally known as the Thirty-sixth Street Branch, this building was built in 1916 with funds from the Carnegie Corporation and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The East Lake Branch of Minneapolis Public Library opened in this building at 2916 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota in February 1924. In 1976 the library moved to a new building two blocks west. This building subsequently housed a Montessori day care and a merchandising business.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
With community support and funds from Andrew Carnegie the Central Avenue Branch of the Minneapolis Library opened on November 15, 1915 at 2200 Central Avenue Northeast, Minneapolis, Minnesota. It stood until 1972 when it was razed to make room for the new Northeast Library.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Camden Branch of the Minneapolis Public Library was housed in the John D. Webber Memorial Fieldhouse in Webber Park from 1910�1954. It was renamed Webber Park Library in 1954 and razed for a new library building in 1979.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Linden Hills branch of the Minneapolis Public Library moved into this building at 2900 West Forty-third Street in 1931, with a stock of 10,000 books. In 2000 the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A caption attached to this photo reads: "The lilbrary goes to the county -- Through the Hennepin Couty Library, 23 branches, 14 stations and 86 schools also receive library service in addition to the 300 neighborhood stops."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Adult Department of the Walker Branch of Minneapolis Public Library. This branch opened in 1911 at 2901 Hennepin Avenue South where it functioned until the 1970s.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Reference area of the Walker Branch of Minneapolis Public Library. This branch opened in 1911 at 2901 Hennepin Avenue South where it functioned until the 1970s.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Librarian Ruth Kittel supplies books to children hospitalized in Minneapolis' General Hospital through the Minneapolis Public Library's Hospital Service.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A note on the back of the photo reads, " The business and municipal branch of the public library, 508 Second Avenue South, is a haven for business men and women who are too busy to hurry off to the main library to get help with their problems. R. E. Raymond, right is one of score of persons who drop in to receive the experienced at of Miss Maud Briggs (center) and Dorothy Ware (at left).
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
"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
Librarian Mrs. Elva Bailey, first head of the Minneapolis Public Library's Hospital Service, is shown bringing a cart of reading material to a Children's Ward in Minneapolis General Hospital in 1928.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Roosevelt branch of the Minneapolis Public Library, at 4026 Twenty-eighth Avenue South, opened in 1927 and wasadded to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
This branch of the Minneapolis Public Library opened in the Citizen's Aid Building in 1927 to provide resources to the workers in that building, which were mainly related to social work, child welfare, public health and crime prevention.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
"Art Department of the Minneapolis Public Library, Dec. 13, 1926. Before the Music Department was moved from the front room. Leonora Mann (left) and Ruth Thompson (right) at the charging desk. Phot made by J.H. Kammerdiener and given by him to the Minneapolis Collection, April 1942."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
This building used to house the Robbinsdale Community Library, a branch of the Hennepin County Library. Built in 1925 by the Robbinsdale Library Club on Rockford Road, now known as 42nd Avenue North, it now houses the Robbinsdale Historical Society and Robbin Gallery.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The children's section in the East Lake Branch of Minneapolis Public Library. The East Lake Branch opened in this building at 2916 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota in February 1924. In 1976 the library moved to a new building two blocks west.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The East Lake Branch of Minneapolis Public Library opened in this building at 2916 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota in February 1924. In 1976 the library moved to a new building two blocks west. Streetcar tracks are visible running along Lake Street.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A fireplace in the East Lake Branch of Minneapolis Public Library. The East Lake Branch opened in this building at 2916 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota in February 1924. In 1976 the library moved to a new building two blocks west.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The front entrance of the East Lake Branch of Minneapolis Public Library, which opened in this building at 2916 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota in February 1924. In 1976 the library moved to a new building two blocks west.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Music Department in Minneapolis Public Library's original Central Library. "Grace Nelson at desk, at table (back to front) Ruth Wedermann center table in fur coat, Sadie Fisher Petersen (singer); table far right, Frances Kelley (pianist)."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the small, one-room Hamel branch of the Hennepin County Library. This library operated from 1922 to 1968 and the building is currently used as a local history museum for the town of Hamel.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
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
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
A woman in a fur coat peruses a book from the Hennepin County Library Bookmobile on a snowy day. Shown in the background is the Hennepin Hardware Company building.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A party for night school students in the Reading Room of the Sumner branch of the Minneapolis Public Library. The branch opened in 1915 in a building funded by the Andrew Carnegie Corporation. It is named for Charles Sumner, a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. Before 1915, the library was located in a rented room at 901 6th Avenue North.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Sumner branch of the Minneapolis Public Library opened in 1915 in a building funded by the Andrew Carnegie Corporation. It is named for Charles Sumner, a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. Before 1915, the library was located in a rented room at 901 6th Avenue North.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Sumner branch of the Minneapolis Public Library opened in 1915 in a building funded by the Andrew Carnegie Corporation. It is named for Charles Sumner, a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. Before 1915, the library was located in a rented room at 901 6th Avenue North.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Children reading in the Sumner branch of the Minneapolis Public Library. The branch opened in 1915 in a building funded by the Andrew Carnegie Corporation. It is named for Charles Sumner, a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. Before 1915, the library was located in a rented room at 901 6th Avenue North.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Reading Room in the Sumner branch of the Minneapolis Public Library which opened in 1915 in a building funded by the Andrew Carnegie Corporation. It is named for Charles Sumner, a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. Before 1915, the library was located in a rented room at 901 6th Avenue North.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Children in a basement room of the Seven Corners Branch of Minneapolis Public Library. The Seven Corners (Cedar-Riverside) area was teeming with new immigrants and the library was quite busy. This branch, at 300 Fifteenth Avenue South, was in service from 1912 to 1967.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Children play a game under the supervision of library staff at the Seven Corners Branch of Minneapolis Public Library. The Seven Corners (Cedar-Riverside) area was teeming with new immigrants and the library was quite busy. This branch, at 300 Fifteenth Avenue South, was in service from 1912 to 1967.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Serving the community of Northeast Minneapolis, the Logan Park branch of the Minneapolis Publlic Library was located in the fieldhouse of Logan Park until 1957, when the branch moved and was renamed the Pierre Bottineau branch.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior of the North branch of Minneapolis Public Library. This building, at 1834 Emerson Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, was designed by architect Frederick Corser and served the north Minneapolis community from 1893 to 1977.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of a small building housing the Long Lake branch of the Hennepin County Library. Library service to the Long Lake community in western Hennepin County began in 1913. For several decades, the library operated out of various locations in the community, until it settled in 1995 in a commercial storefront space at 1865 Wayzata Boulevard West.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A Hennepin County Library bookmobile is parked in front of the Wayzata Public Library, housed at that time in the City Hall building\. Wayzata Library serves Wayzata- and Lake Minnetonka-area residents. In 1905, space for a library was made available in Wayzata City Hall. When a fire destroyed City Hall in 1955, the library moved into a temporary location in the Kallstead Building. It reopened in 1957 in the new City Hall and again in its current location in Wayzata town square with a view of Lake Minnetonka.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Ethel Berry stands next to the open side of an early Hennepin County Library bookmobile. A delivery box used to transport materials between library branches sits in the foreground.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Interior view of the Robbinsdale branch of the Hennepin County Library, showing the reference desk and patrons reading. The library was located at 4915 42nd Avenue NorthRobbinsdale library patrons are now served by the Rockford Road Library in Crystal, Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Robbinsdale branch of the Hennepin County Library, located at 4915 42nd Avenue North. Robbinsdale library patrons are now served by the Rockford Road Library in Crystal, Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Interior view of the Robbinsdale branch of the Hennepin County Library, showing a librarian at the reference desk and patrons reading. The library was located at 4915 42nd Avenue North. Robbinsdale library patrons are now served by the Rockford Road Library in Crystal, Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of a small building housing the Long Lake branch of the Hennepin County Library. Library service to the Long Lake community in western Hennepin County began in 1913. For several decades, the library operated out of various locations in the community, until it settled in 1995 in a commercial storefront space at 1865 Wayzata Boulevard West.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Children and youth are gathered in a reading area of the Camden Branch of the Minneapolis Public Library, which was housed in the John D. Webber Memorial Fieldhouse in Webber Park from 1910�1954. It was renamed Webber Park Library in 1954 and razed for a new library building in 1979.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Interior of the North branch of Minneapolis Public Library, showing Miss Irene Newman at the circulation desk. This building, at 1834 Emerson Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota, was designed by architect Frederick Corser and served the north Minneapolis community from 1893 to 1977.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Hosmer branch of Minneapolis Public Library. Originally known as the Thirty-sixth Street Branch, this building was built in 1916 with funds from the Carnegie Corporation and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library