Minot Public Library
516 2nd Ave. SW
Minot, North Dakota 58701
Phone: 701-852-1045
Fax: 701-852-2595

Hours: Mon-Thurs 9 to 9
Friday 9 to 6
Saturday 10 to 5
Sunday 1-5 Sept.-May

 

Library Centennial Events

Sunday, January 13, 2008—Hot Fudge Sunday Social
to observe the day the library opened

Friday Evening, April 18, 2008—Social Event
during National Library Week

Wednesday, August 13, 2008—Great Tomato Festival
100th Anniversary Theme

During 2008 additional activities will be planned.  Watch this page and the Calendar of Library Events

1966-2001

2001 to Present

 

History

In September 1907, five people came together with the aspiration of creating a library:  Mrs. A. Carr, Mrs. L. W. Gammons, John Lynch, Martin Jacobson and Attorney R. A. Nestos.    Library Board member Attorney R. A. Nestos eventually served as Governor of North Dakota (1921-1924), as President of the North Dakota Library Association for 3 years, a member of the library board for almost 30 years and was appointed by President Hoover to the National Advisory Committee on Illiteracy for 5 years.

Miss Clara H. Kunst, the first librarian, assumed her duties on January 1, 1908.   The Minot Public Library began on January 13, 1908 when two rooms were rented for $25.00 per month from W. H. Smart.  During the Library’s first year of operation in 1908 it was funded with private funding.    The quality of the library was made possible through the contribution of private individuals and businesses.   In 1911, Andrew Carnegie donated $15,000 for the construction of the Library building.   Under the leadership of Jonathan C. Eaton Jr., a new library building was built in 1966 through a $450,000 bond issue and $135,000 in Federal funding.   In 1987 the library received $160,000 in donations for an expansion and remodeling project.   When the library building was expanded in 2000-2001, nearly $350,000 in donations made possible an additional 5,000 square feet of space. 

During these years, there were many changes in the services provided by the library.   The first city bookmobile service in the state was initiated in 1955 along with the collection development of phonograph records and framed prints.    The Great Plains room (dedicated to North Dakota’s history) was created in 1970 with a donation from Mrs. Marjorie Kermott.   The delivery services to the homebound and the large print collection were available in the 1970’s.   The community Information and Referral office was introduced in 1974.    Enhancements to the collection, improvements to the facilities and existing services took place in the years following 1977.     The Genealogy and Business collections were also expanded and improved.   Additionally, an audiovisual collection for children was established.   Some of the other services offered today by the library are interlibrary loans, internet access, wireless internet access, electronic resources, meeting rooms, computer classes for both adults and children, as well as many other children’s activities. 

This history will be expanded in the near future.

Librarians/Library Directors over the past 100 years:

Miss Clara H. Kunst: January 1, 1908
Miss Helen Howard:   April 1909 to July 1910
Ms. Margaret Green:  1910 to 1922
Miss Catherine McSherry:   1921 to 1936
Miss Jean Taggart:  1936 to 1940
Miss Barbara Williams:  1940 to 1942
Mrs. Helen Schempp:  1942 to 1945
Mrs. Lois Ronning: 1945 to 1967
Everett Foster: Library Director: July 1967 to 1976
Jerry Kaup, Library Director:  March 1977 to present