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 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
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 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
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
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
"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
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
"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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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 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 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 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