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Jordan Library Records

 Collection
Identifier: HCL 054

Description of Contents

This collection contains fact sheets, brochures, building information, contracts, newspaper clippings, correspondence, and other administrative records documenting the history of Jordan Library from 1922 to 1971. The bulk of materials document the second iteration of the library from 1941 to 1968.

Dates

  • Creation: 1922 - 1971

Creator

Access

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

History

Jordan Branch Library opened in 1922 inside the new Jordan Junior High School on the northside of Minneapolis. The library was the first of many library branches operated within Minneapolis Public Schools. In 1941, the Minneapolis Public Library closed all public library branches inside junior high schools including Jordan Junior High.

In 1946, a new Jordan branch opened in a larger space within Jordan Junior High. Officially a branch of the Minneapolis Public Library, not a school library, the new library had its own entrance from the street to serve community members. Students and school staff could also access the library during regular school hours. Jordan was the first new branch library opened since the start of the Minneapolis Public Library bookmobile in 1939.

By the late 1950s, Jordan Library was outgrowing its space. In 1962, the Minneapolis Public Library Board proposed closing Jordan Library in a cost-cutting and reorganization plan. The board's plan called for relocating North Branch (located at 1834 Emerson Ave. N) to a new, larger location nearer Jordan school. In 1964, however, the board decided to close the Jordan Library without relocating North Library. Community members rallied around Jordan Library and campaigned vigorously for its continuation. A neighborhood organization, Jordan Area Action Committee (later Jordan Area Community Council) was formed to fight for the library. The committee and dedicated community members were influential in the decision to keep Jordan Library open until North Regional Library opened nearby in 1971.

From 1968 to 1971, Jordan Library was managed jointly by the Minneapolis Public Library and the Minneapolis Board of Education. The collection focused on children's and youth materials.

Extent

0.21 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 Jordan Library in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from 1922 to 1971. Jordan Library was part of the Minneapolis Public Library and closed in 1971. Located inside Jordan Junior High School, the library served both the school and local communities. 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 as 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 later, see North Regional Library. See also collections on school libraries. See also J.S. Futcher, They're Closing Our Library - From Jordan Branch to North Regional (Z733.M667F88 2009).

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Jenna Jacobs in January 2020.

Title
Jordan Library Records
Status
Completed
Author
Jenna Jacobs
Date
January 2020
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