Washburn Library Records
Description of Contents
This collection contains fact sheets, brochures, building information, contracts, newspaper clippings, correspondence, plans, maps, and other administrative records documenting the history of Washburn Library from 1967 to 2007. The bulk of records relate to the original construction of the building in 1970 and its renovation and expansion in 1991.
Dates
- Creation: 1967 - 2007
Creator
- Hennepin County Library (Organization)
- Minneapolis Public Library (Organization)
Access
The collection is available for use in Special Collections at Minneapolis Central Library during the department's open hours.
History
Located at 5244 Lyndale Ave. S in southwest Minneapolis, Washburn Library is named for flour magnate and U.S. Senator William D. Washburn. The library opened in 1970 and underwent major renovations and expansion in 1991.
At its opening in 1970, Washburn Library housed 18,000 books in a 14,451 square-foot building. The library was designed by local architect Brooks Cavin in a mid-century modern style. Washburn Library quickly became an important part of the Minneapolis Public Library system. In its first year, the Washburn Library circulated 273,000 items, the most of any city branch.
Washburn Library continued to be one the busiest libraries in Minneapolis, and by the late 1980s the building needed renovations and increased capacity. Leonard Parker Associates designed the expansion of the library, which increased the library's area to 18,965 square feet. The expanded library reopened in 1991. A renovation in 2014 created an open floor plan and added 21st-century amenities to the library.
Extent
2.73 Linear Feet (7 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Fact sheets, brochures, building information, newspaper clippings, correspondence and other administrative records documenting the history and operations of Washburn Library in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from 1967 to 2007. Washburn Library was part of the Minneapolis Public Library. The Minneapolis Public Library and Hennepin County Library merged in 2008. Washburn Library is now part of the Hennepin County Library.
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.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Jenna Jacobs in June 2021.
Subject
- Hennepin County Library. Washburn Library (Organization)
- Title
- Washburn Library Records
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jenna Jacobs
- Date
- June 2021
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Hennepin County Library Special Collections Repository
Minneapolis Central Library
300 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis MN 55401 U.S.A.
612-543-8200
specialcoll@hclib.org