Thief River Falls Public Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Thief River Falls Public Library
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 102 N. Main Ave., Thief River Falls, Minnesota |
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| Built | 1914 |
| Architect | Lutz, Joseph C. |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003763 |
| Added to NRHP | October 06, 1983 |
The Thief River Falls Public Library is a special place in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, USA. It's a library where you can find books and learn new things. It's also a historic site, meaning it has a long and interesting past, starting way back in 1900.
Contents
The Library's Journey: From Books to Digital
The Thief River Falls Public Library has a rich history. It started small and grew over the years. This section tells you how the library became the important place it is today.
Early Days: A Community's Dream
In 1900, some local leaders had a great idea. They wanted a collection of books for everyone in town to read. They raised money to buy a few books. The very first library was in a storefront on 2nd Street. The space was given to them for free, which was a big help!
In 1902, the library got its own small building. It was a one-story addition next to the old City Fire Hall. That same year, Mr. L.G. Browning became the first librarian. He earned $14 a month, which was a typical salary back then.
Growing Up: Becoming an Official City Service
By 1906, the library became an official part of the City of Thief River Falls. This meant it was a public service, just like the fire department. When the city hall moved, the library moved too. It found a new home in a large room in the basement of the new city building.
The Carnegie Library: A Gift for Learning
As more people used the library, it needed even more space. A famous businessman named Andrew Carnegie helped build libraries all over the world. In 1914, a new Carnegie Library was built in Thief River Falls. It opened on May 12, 1915. This new building was very important because it had a special section just for children!
Dedicated Librarians and New Ideas
Many dedicated people have worked at the library. Hazel Halgrim was a librarian from 1912-1913. She returned in 1925 and stayed until 1953. During her time, she started a new service. Books were sent out to people living in Pennington County. This idea was so good that other libraries in Minnesota started doing it too!
Frances Shanahan became the librarian in 1953. She was known as "Miss Library" because she loved her job so much. She worked until 1965. Frances dreamed of a new, bigger library and better services for everyone.
A New Home and Modern Services
The Carnegie Library building eventually became too small. It also needed repairs. So, in 1966, the library moved to its current location. This new building is right across the street from the old Carnegie Library.
Joining Forces: Regional Library System
In 1968, something exciting happened. Pennington County and Red Lake County joined together. They formed the Northwest Regional Library system. The Thief River Falls Public Library became the main library for this new system. This helped the library offer more books and services. For example, people could borrow books from other libraries in the region.
Embracing Technology: Computers and the Internet
The library kept growing and changing. In 1991, for its 90th anniversary, the library started using computers to keep track of books. This made borrowing books much faster!
By late 1994, the library added Internet access. This was a huge step forward! It meant people could use computers to find information online.
The Library Today: More Than Just Books
The library has changed a lot since 1900. It started with about 200 books. Now, it has over 55,000 books! But it's not just books anymore. You can find newspapers, magazines, videos, audios, CDs, and DVDs.
The library continues to grow and offer new things. Its main goal is still the same: to help everyone learn, get information, and have fun.
The original 1914 Carnegie library building is a very important historical place. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
