Collection on Margaret Mull

Collection

Identifier: M/A 0073

Staff Only

Description of Contents

This collection includes materials related to the library career of Margaret Mull, including two scrapbooks, photographs, letters of appreciation, and funeral announcements. Although Mull had a long library career most of the materials in this collection appear to have been compiled in 1973, and those that are dated are from the mid-1960s and early 1970s.

Dates

Creation: 1973 - 1990

Creator

Mull, Margaret (Person)

Access

The collection is available for use in Special Collections at Minneapolis Central Library during the department's open hours.

Biography

Margaret Mull worked for the Minneapolis Public Library for 42 years starting in 1931. She graduated from the University of Minnesota and began her career as an assistant librarian at the Hosmer Branch. In 1951, she moved to the circulation department of the Minneapolis Central Library. Seven years later in 1958 she became Chief of the Minneapolis Central Library. She also served as acting chief of the Minneapolis Library system for 15 months from 1963-1964. During this time, she helped to stabilize a library system that had been rocked by budget cuts. She retired in 1973 after holding the position of Chief of Community Library Services.

During her time at the library, she attempted to champion programs involving cultural outreach and promoting reading for pleasure. She was well respected in the Minneapolis Library System for her frankness and openness with her colleagues, and she was not afraid to help with the day to day work of the library.

Mull was a member of the Council of the American Library Association, as well as Chairman of the Minnesota National Library Week Committee. She served as Women's Director of the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce Cultural Activities Committee, and board member of Minneapolis People to People. In 1964, she was named Minnesota Librarian of the Year. She was the first to receive this honor. Mull passed away in 1990 at the age of 80.