| The purpose of this study was twofold: to contribute empirically to understanding the protean character of the public library movement in the United States; and, specifically, to trace the development of the public library movement in the State of Minnesota. The researcher examined all available primary documents and visited forty-six communities in the state.;The study indicates that the early history of public libraries in Minnesota seemed to parallel the common patterns of library development elsewhere in the United States. Educated immigrants, mostly Scandinavians and Germans, gave particular impetus to library growth in the state, and women exerted exceptional leadership in the movement. Carnegie grants had profound impact; however, some structures which were inadequately maintained suffered. Finally, although there was some special Americanization of immigrants in Minnesota, the system itself reflected the sense of service, socialization, and altruism common to the library movement of the era.;The findings showed that the earliest Minnesota libraries, whatever their sources of fundings, accepted the dual philosophy of educational and social service and the belief that patrons should be the primary source of library support. In 1879, a law, initiated by an individual, permitted taxpayers' support of libraries. Despite the law, public library growth in the state was slow, only thirty communities possessing public libraries by 1900. Social libraries co-existed with the growth of public libraries. Major growth in Minnesota library development occurred from 1899-1908, spurred largely by Gratia A. Countryman, Clara Baldwin, and the Minnesota Federation of Women's Clubs. Major events in the library history of Minnesota that occurred during this period are signally the right of women to vote on library matters, the first of the Carnegie grants, the establishment of an effective travelling library system, and the creation of the Minnesota Library Commission in 1899. This commission provided the leadership for professional library training, regional state cooperation, national prestige, increased taxation for libraries, and an official journal. Yet concomitant with this growth were numerous cases of ill-advised laws and inadequately planned and financed facilities. |
