Wendy Prokosch has been the Mora Public Library Branch Librarian since 1978 in Mora, 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.
Vernis Anderson, clerk at the Headquarters of East Central Regional Library, files locations cards to indicate where items are located throughout the system, 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.
Tim McCluske (MLAC) and Bill Dejohn (Minitex Director, 1984-2012) in the Minitex break room in Andersen Library celebrating Groundhog Day, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
A Chisago County library that maintains its independence as an unaffiliated library is the Taylors Falls Public Library, housed in this building since 1887.
Sue Sharp was the Pine City Public Library Branch Librarian from 1979-1983 in Pine City, 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.
Sue Wilson was the Lindstrom Public Library Branch Librarian from 1981-2005 in Lindstrom, 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.
Sue Thue was the Sandstone Public Library Branch Librarian from 1981-2005 in Sandstone, 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.
Exterior view of the St. Bonifacius branch of Hennepin County Library. The fa ade of the small building is decorated with two square columns with an ornamental frieze and pediment. St. Bonifacius Library opened in 1931 in the former People s State Bank Building which was donated to the Village of St. Bonifacius for use as a library by local landowners Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Gale. The building, which was constructed in 1916, had no running water, restrooms or central heating and cooling until 1987. The library was renovated in 2006. It serves residents of St. Bonifacius, Mound, Minnetrista, Waconia and Westonka.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Staff from Minitex and the Minnesota Digital Library at a Scan for Keeps event. From left to right: Jolie Graybill, Carla Urban, Greta Bahnemann, and Elizabeth Baus in front of the Northtown Library. Scan for Keeps is a program developed by the Minnesota Digital Library for the purpose of loaning digitization kits for community scanning events. Kits are available for libraries, historical societies, and other organizations to encourage community engagement and foster preservation education.
After a city hall renovation in September 1991, the Sandstone Public Library expanded its space in the building by 3,400 square feet. 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.
Ruth Lovgren was the Hinckley Public Library Branch Librarian from 1963-1993 in Hinckley, 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.
Left to right: Ruth Dukelow (CLIC Director, 2012 - 2019) and Mary Parker (Minitex Associate Director for Reference, 1989 - 2012) at the Minitex MnLINK Conference in 2012.
The Rush City Public Library has been located on Main Street since 1987. The building was previously the office headquarters for the Plastech corporation. East Central Regional Library is a consolidated library system in Minnesota serving Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
Ron McGriff served as Assistant Director of East Central Regional Library from 1976-1984. 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 Rogers branch of Hennepin County Library which opened in 1980 at 21300 John Milless Drive, Rogers, Minnesota. THe building was later renovate in 2005. Library service to the Rogers area dates back to the 1950s and a book station in Ahlstrom s Hardware Store which held 400 volumes. The Hennepin County Library bookmobile served area residents in 1970-80.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the Rockford Road branch of Hennepin County Library at 6401 42nd Avenue North, Crystal, Minnesota. Rockford Road Library opened in 1972 and was renovated in 2013. It serves the cities of Crystal, New Hope and Robbinsdale. For several decades prior to 1972, library service was provided to area residents out of various locations in the community. The library is named for one of the most historic roads in Hennepin County.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Children's area of the Rockford Road branch of Hennepin County Library at 6401 42nd Avenue North, Crystal, Minnesota. Rockford Road Library opened in 1972 and was renovated in 2013. It serves the cities of Crystal, New Hope and Robbinsdale. For several decades prior to 1972, library service was provided to area residents out of various locations in the community. The library is named for one of the most historic roads in Hennepin County.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Seen here stamping children's books for checkout, Robin Suhsen was the Princeton Area Branch Librarian from 1987 to 2015, Princeton, 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.
The Princeton Area Library has been located in its current space downtown since 1990. 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.
The Princeton Area Library opened in a new building overlooking the Rum River on August 24, 1990. East Central Regional Library is a consolidated library system in Minnesota serving Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
The Princeton Area Library was located in the former railroad depot several blocks west of downtown from 1976 to 1995, sharing the building with the local historical society. East Central Regional Library is a consolidated library system in Minnesota serving Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties.
Exterior view of the main entrance of the Plymouth branch of the Hennepin County Library. Built in 1995 at 15700 36th Avenue North, this was the first free-standing library for the City of Plymouth. Space needs led to an expansion in 2010.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the main entrance of the Plymouth branch of the Hennepin County Library. Built in 1995 at 15700 36th Avenue North, this was the first free-standing library for the City of Plymouth. Space needs led to an expansion in 2010.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the main entrance of the Plymouth branch of the Hennepin County Library. Built in 1995 at 15700 36th Avenue North, this was the first free-standing library for the City of Plymouth. Space needs led to an expansion in 2010.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
Exterior view of the main entrance of the Plymouth branch of the Hennepin County Library. Built in 1995 at 15700 36th Avenue North, this was the first free-standing library for the City of Plymouth. Space needs led to an expansion in 2010.
Contributing Institution:
Hennepin County Library, James K. Hosmer Special Collections Library
When East Central Regional Library was organized, Pine City opted to remain independent from East Central Regional Library, though its county, Pine County, joined the system. Pine City joined East Central Regional Library when a new city hall was built in 1978 with space reserved for a library. 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.
Penny Olson has been the McGregor Public Library Branch Librarian since 1987 in McGregor, 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.
The North Branch Area Library was located in the Main Mall, a new retail building on Main Street from 1985-1989, with 1,166 square feet, North Branch, 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.
The new McGregor Public Library was completed and opened in September 1989, McGregor, 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.
A banner says, ""National Library Week. ECRL Automation - a look to the future."" Money jars were introduced in all East Central Regional Library branches during National Library Week in 1994, part of a fund-raising program for $100,000, offering library users the opportunity to contribute to East Central Regional Library's automation project. 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.
MJ Rossman, Assistant Director for OCLC and Reference, 1986-1996. MJ joined the Minitex staff in 1980 as Head of the Minitex Reference Service. She became Assistant Director in 1986 with responsibilities for directing the OCLC and Reference Units. Direction of the MULS Program was later added to her responsibilities. For a more complete description, see the Minitex Messenger, v. 14, no.1 (Aug. 28, 1996).
Minitex staff gather in the atrium of Elmer Andersen Library for a group photo, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Back row, left to right: Tim McCluske, Matt Lee, Sara Ring, Bob Francis, Scott Hreha, Paul Swanson, Terry Beseman, Kyle Triska, Anne Hatinen. 3rd row, left to right: Michelle Penna, Jared LaBounty, Bob Fredrickson, Carla Urban, Beth Chekola, Adam Johnson, Obinnaya Oji, Agnes Lee, Sally Dinsmore, Jennifer Hootman, Tim Peters, Mary Garcia. 2nd row, left to right: Beth Staats; Valerie Horton; Carla Pfahl; Molly Huber, Nicole Masika, Joy Knoll, LaReina Adams, Kate Brownrigg, Sarah Anderson, Dana Kocienda, Jolie Graybill, Becky Ringwelski. Front row, left to right: Joan Wollenberg, Tammi Halverson, Greta Bahnemann, Mary Parker, Rita Baladad, Nick Banitt, Chau Nguyen. Seated left to right: Matt Niehoff, Link Swanson.
Valerie Horton, (Minitex Director, 2013-2019), with Scott Hreha, Nick Banitt, and Anne Hatinen in Elmer Andersen Library celebrating the launch of Ebooks Minnesota in February of 2016.
Becky Ringwelski, Mark Wilhelmi, Sarah Anderson, and Joy Knoll at the Try Cool Tools @ Your Library exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Carla Dewey Urban and Becky Ringwelski at the Minnesota Library Association Annual Conference. Celebrating 40 years of Minitex with an inflatable cake, Duluth, Minnesota.
Kevin Lian-Anderson, Jean Silverberg (Dakota County Library), and Sara Ring at the Try Cool Tools @ Your Library exhibit at the 2005 Minnesota State Fair.
The Mille Lacs Lake Community Library became East Central Regional Library's 13th branch in 1985, and moved to the Isle City Center building in 1991. The library is in the left side of this building, and the city hall and police are located on the right, with a meeting room in the back, Isle, 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.
Mike O'Rourke holding the painted boxes that Minitex staff drove down to the Greyhound bus station every day. Before using local couriers, the fastest way to transport interlibrary loan items to areas like Duluth was through Greyhound.
When McGregor Public Library joined East Central Regional Library in 1964, the library was housed in the former jail. The concrete building had been renovated, but the jail cells and the window bars were still intact, and heating was problematic. The circulation desk was where the jailer's desk had been, McGregor, 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.