Overview

The North Library is one of the first libraries in the city, built to serve north Minneapolis. It is distinctive for its Medieval Revival style. 

• 1834 Emerson Avenue North 
• Neighborhood: Near North 

Historic profile

The North Library is one of the first libraries in the city, built to serve north Minneapolis. It is distinctive for its Medieval Revival style. 

It was built in 1893 on land that was donated by Mrs. S.C. Gale and Judge C.E. Vanderburgh. Local architect Fredrick Corser designed the library in the Medieval Revival style. The red brick building is two-and-a-half stories tall. It has a notable basket-arch entryway with a stepped gable façade. A decorative terra cotta sign that says "Public Library" rests above the main entrance. A prominent circular tower with a conical roof sits to the left. Several windows feature decorative leaded bullseye glass. Simple sculptural stone details are present on the exterior.  

The North Library set a precedent for the public library system in Minneapolis. It was the first open shelf public branch library in the U.S. Visitors did not need to ask a librarian to retrieve books from the shelves.  

A concrete parking garage was added to the rear of the library in 1914. An acoustical tile ceiling was installed in 1952. Some second-story windows have been bricked in. The North Library was replaced by a new area library at 1315 Lowry Avenue in 1971. It officially closed in 1977. It currently houses the EMERGE Career and Technology Center.