The card catalog with drawers of cards indexing the library materials were replaced with microfiche readers at East Central Regional Library Headquarters by 1987. 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.
"Mrs. Janet Johnson of the Twin City Dairy Council explains a model dairy farm exhibit loaned by the Council to the Minneapolis Public Library Children's Room. Alyce Mee Underhill, head of the central children's room, is behind Mrs. Johnson. July 21, 1959."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Children's Readmobile, jointly operated by the Hennepin County Library and the Minneapolis Public Library. The first Readmobile was purchased in 1991, with a second added in 2003.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
View of the Hennepin County Library's Children's Readmobile parked in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The first Readmobile was purchased in 1991, with a second added in 2003.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
View of the Hennepin County Library's Children's Readmobile parked in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The first Readmobile was purchased in 1991, with a second added in 2003.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
View of the Hennepin County Library's Children's Readmobile parked in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The first Readmobile was purchased in 1991, with a second added in 2003.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A young reader in the children's section of East Central Regional Library, Cambridge, Minnesota, enjoys the opportunity to listen to a book on cassette while he reads along. By 1974, audio cassette players were available in all of the branch libraries for loan, with a $20.00 refundable deposit and a $2.00 per day charge. In the mid-1990's, East Central Regional Library lent audio cassettes of recorded books. Within a few years, books on compact disc became the format of choice for listening to recorded books. 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.
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
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
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
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
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
A banner celebrating the Minneapolis Public Library's 1985 centennial. 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
Stacks, periodical section and patrons using the Central Library of the Minneapolis Public Library. This facility, at 300 Nicollet Mall, was built in 1961 and housed the library until 2002.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A woman looking at a book in the Literature and Language section of Minneapolis Public Library's Central Library. This facility, at 300 Nicollet Mall, was built in 1961 and housed the library until 2002. 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
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
This shows the interior 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
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
Exterior view of the Brooklyn Park Library. Brooklyn Park Library has provided service in its current location since 1976. Prior to 1976, the Hennepin County Library bookmobile served Brooklyn Park-area residents.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Interior view of the Brooklyn Park Library. Brooklyn Park Library has provided service in its current location since 1976. Prior to 1976, the Hennepin County Library bookmobile served Brooklyn Park-area residents.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Children's area of the Brooklyn Park Library. Brooklyn Park Library has provided service in its current location since 1976. Prior to 1976, the Hennepin County Library bookmobile served Brooklyn Park-area residents.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Brooklyn Park Library. Brooklyn Park Library has provided service in its current location since 1976. Prior to 1976, the Hennepin County Library bookmobile served Brooklyn Park-area residents.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Librarian Alice Johnson with children seated near the fireplace in the Brooklyn Center Public Library. This building was the first library in Brooklyn Center, at 5601 Osseo Road (subsequently named Brooklyn Boulevard), and opened on December 29, 1965. Designed by Cerny and Associates, it was 12,718 square feet. In 1981 the library relocated to the Brookdale location at 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway. The Girl Scouts purchased the building on Brooklyn Boulevard, and it became the headquarters of the Greater Minneapolis Girl Scout Council (now Girl Scout Council of Greater Minneapolis).
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the main entrance of the Brooklyn Center Public Library. This building was the first library in Brooklyn Center, at 5601 Osseo Road (subsequently named Brooklyn Boulevard), and opened on December 29, 1965. Designed by Cerny and Associates, it was 12,718 square feet. In 1981 the library relocated to the Brookdale location at 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway. The Girl Scouts purchased the building on Brooklyn Boulevard, and it became the headquarters of the Greater Minneapolis Girl Scout Council (now Girl Scout Council of Greater Minneapolis).
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The children's area of the Brookdale Library which opened for service in 1981 at 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. A branch of the Hennepin County Library System, the library is housed in a larger complex that includes district courts and a Hennepin County service center.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Entrance to the Brookdale Library which opened for service in 1981 at 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. A branch of the Hennepin County Library System, the library is housed in a larger complex that includes district courts and a Hennepin County service center.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The hallway leading to meeting rooms in the Brookdale Library which opened for service in 1981 at 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. A branch of the Hennepin County Library System, the library is housed in a larger complex that includes district courts and a Hennepin County service center.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior of the Brookdale Library which opened for service in 1981 at 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. A branch of the Hennepin County Library System, the library is housed in a larger complex that includes district courts and a Hennepin County service center.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A hallway with art on display in the Brookdale Library which opened for service in 1981 at 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. A branch of the Hennepin County Library System, the library is housed in a larger complex that includes district courts and a Hennepin County service center.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A seating area near the stacks in the Brookdale Library which opened for service in 1981 at 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. A branch of the Hennepin County Library System, the library is housed in a larger complex that includes district courts and a Hennepin County service center.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Children get on and off the Minneapolis Public Library bookmobile in May 1954. The Minneapolis Public Library was originally founded in 1885 and 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
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
A label on the back reads "Minneapolis Public Library's new bookmobile, May 1952." The Minneapolis Public Library was originally founded in 1885 and 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 Minneapolis Public Library bookmobile parked in a lot at Fiftieth Street and Knox Avenue in April 1966. 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 Great River Regional Library Bookmobile is shown parked in front of the Royalton Community Library, a branch of the Great River Regional Library in Royalton, Minnesota.
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
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
"This 1962 Hennepin County Library Bookmobile, one of two serving the 500 square mile area of rural and suburban Hennepin County, replaces a 1950 bookmobile. Carring 3000 volumes, it travels 1000 miles a month, serving over 6000 families, supplementing services of 23 county branch libraries."
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
East Central Regional Library's last bookmobile. Purchased in 1996 for $103,000, it was the first new bookmobile in 20 years. It was built on a Bluebird bus chassis, held 3,500 items, had an onboard generator and a lift for accessibility, and it featured an ""air ride."" East Central Regional Library ended bookmobile services in May 2009. 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.
In 1986, the box from a previous East Central Regional Library bookmobile was mounted on a new truck frame. Because the lights and heat ran off the alternator, it did not run during the coldest months. Nevertheless, it logged 298,000 miles during its service. Founded in 1959, 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.
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
East Central Regional Library's Director, Bob Boese, testing one of three public catalog stations on the first day of the automation system, IMPACK, in Cambridge, Minnesota, 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.
Director Bob Boese, with a woman from Isanti County near a book display during the 40th anniversary celebration of the East Central Regional Library, 1999. 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.