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
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
Two Minneapolis Public Library bookmobiles are parked in front of First Baptist Church in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota while a worker loades delivery boxes. A note on the back reads, "The main library does all the ordering, cataloging and binding for the branches and stations; it maintains a central registration bureau; it houses the resevoir collection for all extension agencies; it holds the headquarters offices of the administrative and supervisory offices. Any addition to the system places a strain on the main building. Because of the lack of loading area Bookmobiles must be loaded for their trips on the public curb, after a long trek from the thrid floor headquarters of the Bookmobile service."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Two people stand in front of the Maple Plain branch of the Hennepin County Library, with one of the delivery boxes used to transport materials to the branches. Library service to Maple Plain and the surrounding communities began in 1922, when the library was housed out of a former U.S. Post Office. For the next five decades, the library operated out of various locations in the community, with the first permanent location opening in 1973 in a commercial building at 5184 Main Street East.
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
Patrons and staff at the circulation desk 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
ThIs Hennepin County Library bookmobile was displayed at the Hopkins County Fair, Aug. 15-18, 1940. It is shown parked with a display case of reading materials set up alongside it.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The exterior of the Business Branch of the Minneapolis Public Library, which was established in 1916 and occupied various locations. This was the location of the service in 1946, at 217 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
"Margaret Fletcher, Assistant in charge of Visual Aids, discusses selection of a film with Mrs. Allan Moore, while the Rev. Elder C. Anderson and George Grenander "preview" a film in a home-made projection unit, constructed from a cardboard carton. Visual Aids Service, Minneapolis Public Library, November, 1948."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A clipping taped to the back reads, "Students visit the book bindery. Mrs. Zoe Oberg, at machine, demonstrates repair work to Roy Holmquist, Wesley Rust, Dorothy Risser and Marlene Cihlar."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Records and a record player in the Music Department of Minneapolis Public Library's Central Library. A clipping taped to the back reads, "Mrs. Gladys Wilson explains records available at the library lending room to Roosevelt High School students. Left to right, Mrs. Wilson, Nancy Smith, Jim Franklin, Janet Weber."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library