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101 2nd Street SE | Rochester, MN
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Library History

Early Days

In December 1865, library service began in Rochester, when interested citizens organized the Rochester Library Association. The sum of $1,000 was raised by subscription for the purchase of books, which were housed in the store owned by W.W. Ireland on what was then known as the Haney Block

A catalog of library holdings published in 1881 runs to 35 pages, and carries advertisements from such firms as Weber Drugs and C.F. Massey Dry Goods, Clothing and Carpets. An advertisement for Cook's Hotel noted that rates were $2.00 per day and that livery and stabling were available in connection with the hotel.

In 1883 the Library Association was reorganized as the Free Library and Reading Room Association. Entertainments provided the source of income for the library until 1886, when the City Council voted an appropriation of $200 annually for its support.

In 1895 the Rochester Public Library was officially established under a state statute providing for the organization of public libraries. Spearheaded by location attorney, Burt W. Eaton, the organization of a local library society was confirmed by the City Council appointment of the first Library Board on April 29, 1895. The population of Rochester in 1895 was 6,843.

The library was then located in the City Hall, on the northwest corner of the second floor; a librarian was employed at the monthly wage of $15.00. The early days were turbulent ones. All of the books were still owned by the free library association that had preceded the public library. It was not until July 9, 1895, that a resolution was approved that turned over "all books, magazines, and other property" to the new public Library Board. This gift was accepted on July 13, 1895. This collection contained 3,318 volumes and an assortment of unbound periodicals. The first Annual Report indicates that circulation in that beginning year of operation was 10,744 volumes.

According to the By-Laws drawn up in 1895, the library was to be open Monday through Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Any person "of good deportment and habits" could use the reading room, and any Rochester resident over 12 years of age could "draw" books from the library after depositing a $2.00 fee. Only one book could be drawn at a time, and the loan period was two weeks. Fines for late return were two cents a day.

At its August 3, 1895, meeting, the Library Board somewhat belatedly raised the question of funding library services and in September they requested a four-tenths mill levy by the City. In 1896, the City levied and assessed $4,250 for public library operations.

By 1905 the librarian was offering local schools a special "class loan" plan whereby 12 books could be taken out by a teacher, for class use. By 1917 the library was providing small collections of books housed in the schools, since at this time there were no school libraries. In 1920 the wife of a Mayo Clinic fellow joined the staff as the "story lady." Service was extended to Olmsted County in 1911, upon payment of $300 by the County Commissioners.

As early as 1946 a bookmobile was thought to be the solution to serving some residents of the rural area. This idea was first publicly discussed in a speech to the Rochester Rotary Club on March 23, 1946, by librarian Lucille Gottry. Twenty years passed before the bookmobile finally became a reality on October 24, 1966, when the first vehicle costing $22,418 went into service with a rotating collection of 5,000 volumes selected to appeal to both adults and children.

 

Last updated: 9/15/08

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