William Asp served as Minnesota State Librarian from 1975-1996. In the interview he reflects on early 20th century resource sharing among libraries belonging to the Twin Cities Library Club, Regional Public Library System development, early library automation in Minnesota, and the Extension of Access Law (1987 law passed that required the counties to levy a tax for public library service and join a regional public library system). This interview also includes an audio recording, recording table of contents, transcript, and photograph of the interviewee.
Board of Trustees of the Grand Marais Public Library (Grand Marais, Minnesota)
Date Created:
1904 - 1967
Description:
This ledger contains the handwritten minutes of the meetings of the Board of Trustees of the Grand Marais Public Library, in Grand Marais, Minnesota, from the first meeting in December 1904 through September 1967. The establishment and development of the library can be traced through these notes, along with the participation of many prominent community members who considered the library an important asset to their town.
The main entrance of the East Lake Branch of Minneapolis Public Library at 2727 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota. This facility housed the library branch from 1976 to 2005.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The main lobby of the Nokomis branch of Minneapolis Public Library at 5100 Thirty-fourth Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Hanging from the ceiling is a sculpture titled "Wind and Water Chime" by Donald Celender. Built in 1968, the building was designed by�Buetow and Associates, Inc�and replaced the nearby�Longfellow Community Library.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The children's area of the Nokomis branch of Minneapolis Public Library at 5100 Thirty-fourth Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Built in 1968, the building was designed by�Buetow and Associates, Inc�and replaced the nearby�Longfellow Community Library.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior of the Nokomis branch of Minneapolis Public Library at 5100 Thirty-fourth Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Built in 1968, the building was designed by�Buetow and Associates, Inc�and replaced the nearby�Longfellow Community 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
Exterior of Minneapolis Public Library's Central Library at Tenth Street and Hennepin Avenue. This building opened in 1889 and was in service until 1959.
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
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
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 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
The Technical Room in Minneapolis Public Library's original Central Library is shown filled with male patrons. In the foreground is a tray of volumes labelled "U.S. Boy's Working Reserve."
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Located in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Walker branch of Minneapolis Public Library opened in 1911 at 2901 Hennepin Avenue South. In the 1970s the branch moved across the street.
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
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
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
"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
Doris Ott served for eight years as North Dakota State Librarian (2002-2010). A native of Carson, ND, Ott graduated from Dickinson State University, and earned her MLS from George Peabody College (now, Vanderbilt University) in Nashville. She started her professional librarian career as an Assistant Professor of Library Science at Dickinson State, was the first librarian at Magic City Campus in Minot, and held positions at a school library and a public library in Indiana before returning to North Dakota in 1986. From 1986-2002 she worked at the North Dakota State Library and held various positions before being named State Librarian in 2002. This interview also includes an audio recording, recording table of contents, transcript, and photograph of the interviewee.
The North Regional Library, at 1315 Lowry Avenue North, is part of Minneapolis Public Library. Designed by Minneapolis architectural firm Miller Dunwiddie, the building opened in 1971, and was renovated in 2007.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Interior of the North Regional Library, at 1315 Lowry Avenue North, which is part of Minneapolis Public Library. Designed by Minneapolis architectural firm Miller Dunwiddie, the building opened in 1971, and was renovated in 2007.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The North Regional Library, at 1315 Lowry Avenue North, is part of Minneapolis Public Library. Designed by Minneapolis architectural firm Miller Dunwiddie, the building opened in 1971, and was renovated in 2007.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The North Regional Library, at 1315 Lowry Avenue North, is part of Minneapolis Public Library. Designed by Minneapolis architectural firm Miller Dunwiddie, the building opened in 1971, and was renovated in 2007.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The North Regional Library, at 1315 Lowry Avenue North, is part of Minneapolis Public Library. Designed by Minneapolis architectural firm Miller Dunwiddie, the building opened in 1971, and was renovated in 2007.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Interior of the North Regional Library, at 1315 Lowry Avenue North, which is part of Minneapolis Public Library. Designed by Minneapolis architectural firm Miller Dunwiddie, the building opened in 1971, and was renovated in 2007.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The North Regional Library, at 1315 Lowry Avenue North, is part of Minneapolis Public Library. Designed by Minneapolis architectural firm Miller Dunwiddie, the building opened in 1971, and was renovated in 2007.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The children's area in the North Regional Library, at 1315 Lowry Avenue North, which is part of Minneapolis Public Library. Designed by Minneapolis architectural firm Miller Dunwiddie, the building opened in 1971, and was renovated in 2007.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Interior of the North Regional Library, at 1315 Lowry Avenue North, which is part of Minneapolis Public Library. Designed by Minneapolis architectural firm Miller Dunwiddie, the building opened in 1971, and was renovated in 2007.
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 Southeast branch of Minneapolis Public Library is located at 1222 Fourth Street Southeast, Mineapolis, Minnesota. Designed by architect Ralph Rapson, the building originally housed a credit union, but was converted to library use in 1967.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Southeast branch of Minneapolis Public Library is located at 1222 Fourth Street Southeast, Mineapolis, Minnesota. Designed by architect Ralph Rapson, the building originally housed a credit union, but was converted to library use in 1967.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Southeast branch of Minneapolis Public Library is located at 1222 Fourth Street Southeast, Mineapolis, Minnesota. Designed by architect Ralph Rapson, the building originally housed a credit union, but was converted to library use in 1967.
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
"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
Helen Stub was the secretary-treasurer of the Twin City Library Club (TCLC) when the organization dissolved around 1959. Founded in 1906, the Twin City Library Club was an organization intended to help librarians in St. Paul and Minneapolis become acquainted with each other and the library collections of the Twin Cities. Helen reflects in the interview:
"This group of people were active participants in the intellectual, aesthetic, educational, political life of that period between 1906-1959. And, that period included two World Wars, a depression, the recovery, the New Deal, droughts, and, of course, the invention of the automobile."
Helen Stub discusses the founding of the organization by Clara Baldwin (Director, Public Library Commission, 1889-1936), John King (Director, Minnesota State Library), Gratia Countryman (Director, Minneapolis Public Library), W.W. Folwell (President, University of Minnesota, 1869-1884) and relays tales from the Secretary-Treasurer's books that chronicle the events of the library profession in the Twin Cities. These include summaries of lectures, reports on library successes, and descriptions of a 1908 list of periodicals of the libraries in Minneapolis and St. Paul, early interlibrary loan, site visits to libraries, announcement of the first bookmobile, parties at the H.W. Wilson company, boat trips on the Mississippi, road tours by car, and elegant dinners.
Helen began her library career in Fairfax, MN, in 1948, moving to St. Paul Park in 1952, and, then, as a librarian in the Minneapolis School District from 1955-1980. She served as President of Minnesota Educational Media Organization from 1977-1978. This interview also includes an audio recording, recording table of contents, transcript, and photograph of the interviewee.
The fiction section of the Northeast branch of Minneapolis Public Library which was built at 2200 Central Avenue Northeas in Minneapolis in 1972 to replace the 1915 Central Avenue branch at the same location.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Northeast branch of Minneapolis Public Library was built at 2200 Central Avenue Northeas in Minneapolis in 1972 to replace the 1915 Central Avenue branch at the same location.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Aitkin Public Library, built in 1911, is the only East Central Regional Library branch to have received funds from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. It served the Aitkin, Minnesota community until 1991 when a new library was built. 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.
From left: Ardith Kane, Emma Hendrickson, Mary Beth Woodrow, Mary Ellen Moriarty, and Bob Boese are proud of the new library building in Aitkin in 1994. 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. 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
The Augsburg Park Library at 7100 Nicollet Avenue South, Richfield, Minnesota, opened in February of 1975. Following the purchase of 2.8 acres of land by Hennepin County from the City of Richfield for $99,500, InterDesign, Inc. was chosen as the architect and the Henry O. Mikkelson Company as the builder. The new building was two and a half times larger than its predecessor, the Richfield Library at 70th Street and NIcollet Avenue.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Augsburg Park Library. The Augsburg Park Library has provided service in its current location since 1975. It is named after the park in which it is located. The library serves the Richfield community and residents of nearby Minneapolis. The library was renovated in 1988 and again in 2013.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Circulation desk of the Augsburg Park Library. The Augsburg Park Library has provided service in its current location since 1975. It is named after the park in which it is located. The library serves the Richfield community and residents of nearby Minneapolis. The library was renovated in 1988 and again in 2013.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Augsburg Park Library. The Augsburg Park Library has provided service in its current location since 1975. It is named after the park in which it is located. The library serves the Richfield community and residents of nearby Minneapolis. The library was renovated in 1988 and again in 2013.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Reading chairs in the Augsburg Park Library. The Augsburg Park Library has provided service in its current location since 1975. It is named after the park in which it is located. The library serves the Richfield community and residents of nearby Minneapolis. The library was renovated in 1988 and again in 2013.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Information desk in the Augsburg Park Library. The Augsburg Park Library has provided service in its current location since 1975. It is named after the park in which it is located. The library serves the Richfield community and residents of nearby Minneapolis. The library was renovated in 1988 and again in 2013.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of Augsburg Park Library which has provided service in its current location since 1975. It is named after the park in which it is located. The library serves the Richfield community and residents of nearby Minneapolis. The library was renovated in 1988 and again in 2013.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Augsburg Park Library has provided service in its current location since 1975. It is named after the park in which it is located. The library serves the Richfield community and residents of nearby Minneapolis. The library was renovated in 1988 and again in 2013.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
A seating area in Augsburg Park Library which has provided service in its current location since 1975. It is named after the park in which it is located. The library serves the Richfield community and residents of nearby Minneapolis. The library was renovated in 1988 and again in 2013.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
The Augsburg Park Library at 7100 Nicollet Avenue South, Richfield, Minnesota, opened in February of 1975. Following the purchase of 2.8 acres of land by Hennepin County from the City of Richfield for $99,500, InterDesign, Inc. was chosen as the architect and the Henry O. Mikkelson Company as the builder. The new building was two and a half times larger than its predecessor, the Richfield Library at 70th Street and NIcollet Avenue.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Minnesota author Jon Hassler signing books after his book talk at East Central Regional Library, Cambridge, Minnesota. 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.
Barb Nord worked at East Central Regional Library from 1971 until her death in 2003. In addition to managing delivery services, she also worked at the Headquarters circulation desk in Cambridge, Minnesota. 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.
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.
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 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.
"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
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
