Gratia Countryman Library Records

Collection

Identifier: HCL 068

Staff Only

Description of Contents

This collection contains fact sheets, brochures, building information, contracts, newspaper clippings, correspondence, plans, maps, and other administrative records documenting the planning for and land sale of Gratia Countryman Library from 1959 to 1969. The library was proposed, but never built.

Dates

1959 - 1969

Creator

Hennepin County Library (Organization)
Minneapolis Public Library (Organization)

Access

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

History

In the late 1950s, the Minneapolis Public Library created a twenty-year expansion plan. The plan included the creation of a new Gratia Countryman Branch Library, located at 54th St. W and Penn Ave. S. The proposed branch would have served a residential area far from existing library locations. Due to lack of state funding, the plans were shelved.

In the mid-1960s, Minneapolis Public Library leaders considered building the Gratia Countryman branch as a southern Minneapolis regional library, similar to North Regional Library and suburban Southdale Library. With Southdale so near the proposed Countryman branch and with budget limitations, the plans for the library were dropped and the land sold.

Extent

0.1 Linear feet (2 folders)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Fact sheets, brochures, building information, newspaper clippings, correspondence and other administrative records documenting the proposed Gratia Countryman Library in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from 1959 to 1969. Gratia Countryman Library was proposed, but never built, by the Minneapolis Public Library. The Minneapolis Public Library and Hennepin County Library merged in 2008.

Custodial History

Materials from before 2008 were included in the Minneapolis Public Library archives (accession 2019.25).

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection contains materials transferred to the archives by Hennepin County Library administration in 2017 accession 2019.25.

Related Materials in Hennepin County Library Special Collections

This is one of many collections documenting Minneapolis Public Library and Hennepin County Library locations. For photographs, see HCL 002 Hennepin County Library Photographs. For a library later constructed in the area, see Washburn Library Records.