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Brooklyn Center Library Records

 Collection
Identifier: HCL 006

Description of Contents

This collection contains fact sheets, brochures, building information, newspaper clippings, correspondence, plans, maps, and other administrative records documenting the history of Brooklyn Center Library from 1963 to 1981. Many materials were removed from a dismantled scrapbook. Newspaper clippings have been photocopied for preservation purposes.

Dates

  • 1963-1981

Creator

Access Restrictions

The collection is available for use during Special Collection’s open public hours and may be used only within the department.

History

Library service in Brooklyn Center began with a bookmobile. Brooklyn Center Junior Chamber of Commerce members believed that a library was an essential community resource, and met with Helen Young, Director of Hennepin County Library, to learn about what was required to launch the library in the mid-twentieth century. The first library in the Village of Brooklyn Center (as it was then known), at 5601 Osseo Road (subsequently named Brooklyn Boulevard), opened on December 29, 1965. It was the first public library built in the United States which received funds from the 1964 Library Services and Construction Act. The $250,000 price tag was funded in part by the Federal Library Services Act ($60,000) and by bonds sold by the Village of Brooklyn Center ($190,000). Designed by Cerny and Associates, the building was was 12,718 square feet (1,181.5 m2). Books, staff, and furniture were all provided by Hennepin County.

By agreement of the city council, in January 1969, Brooklyn Center’s library was sold to Hennepin County for $185,505 and the library’s land was sold for an additional $34,745. By the summer of 1973, plans were published to replace it with a new regional Hennepin County Library structure, similar to the Southdale Hennepin Area Library that opened in July 1973. The Brooklyn Center Library closed with the opening of the Brookdale Library at 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway in August 1981. The Girl Scouts purchased the building on Brooklyn Boulevard, and it became the headquarters of the Greater Minneapolis Girl Council (now Girl Scout Council of Greater Minneapolis).

Extent

0.42 Linear Feet (1 archival box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Fact sheets, brochures, building information, newspaper clippings, correspondence and other administrative records documenting the history and operations of Brooklyn Center Library in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, from 1963 to 1981. Brooklyn Center Library was part of the Hennepin County Library.

Custodial History

Portions of this collection (accession 2018.16) were previously managed by Hennepin County Library Officially Withdrawn, an organization for retired and former staff of Hennepin County Library and Minneapolis Public Library.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection contains materials transferred to the archives by Hennepin County Library administration in 2017 as accession 2018.38 and in 2018 as accession 2018.16.

Related Materials in Hennepin County Library Special Collections

This is one of many collections documenting Hennepin County Library locations. For photographs, see HCL 002 Hennepin County Library Photographs. For later, see Brookdale Library.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Jenna Jacobs from August to September 2018.
Title
Brooklyn Center Library Records
Author
Jenna Jacobs
Date
November 2018
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Hennepin County Library Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Minneapolis Central Library
300 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis MN 55401 U.S.A.
612-543-8200
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