Arvonne Fraser Library

Arvonne Fraser Library
The Arvonne Fraser Library viewed from the northeast
Former namesSoutheast Community Library, Southeast Library
General information
TypeBranch library
Location1222 4th Street SE, Minneapolis, MN
Coordinates44°58′51″N 93°14′16″W / 44.98083°N 93.23778°W / 44.98083; -93.23778
Completed1963
Renovated2018-2020
OwnerHennepin County Library System
Dimensions
Other dimensionsRoof: 100 ft. x 100 ft.
Technical details
Floor count2
Floor area13186 sq. ft.[1]
Design and construction
ArchitectRalph Rapson
Renovating team
Renovating firmMacDonald and Mack (Minneapolis), Quinn Evans (D.C.), Damon Farber (Minneapolis)[1]

Arvonne Fraser Library (formerly Southeast Library) is a public library in Minneapolis. It was designed by Ralph Rapson in 1963.[2] The building was a credit union until 1967, when it became Southeast Library. In 2018, the library was renamed to Arvonne Fraser, after a women's rights activist, after her passing.[3]

Timeline

The library replaced several older libraries between 1904 and 1936.

East Side Branch, 1891–1904

The east side branch opened November 1, 1891, in an old school.[4] It was replaced by the Pillsbury Library in April 1904.

Pillsbury Library, 1904–1967

John Sargent Pillsbury was the eighth governor of Minnesota. He built a library at the corner of University and Central Avenue. Pillsbury died before the library opened in April of 1904. It was the most beautiful library branch, built out of marble and mahogany.[5] In 1960, Central Library opened across the river from the Pillsbury Library. The Southeast Library later replaced the Pillsbury Library in 1967.

Seven Corners Library, 1906-1964

A delivery station was replaced by the Seven Corners Library. The Seven Corners area was busy because of the immigrants in the area. By 1964, the library had lost most customers and was sold to the Minnesota Department of Transportation and was demolished for highway construction.[6]

Southeast Library, 1967-2018

In 1960, Ralph Rapson designed a building for the State Capitol Credit Union, a bank serving employees. It became Southeast Library on December 29, 1966 and reopened on December 26, 1967.[7][8]

The library is known for it's square concrete roof. It is supported by 16 pillars and 22 skylights.[9][10]

15 libraries were merged into the main Hennepin County Library in 2008.

Arvonne Fraser Library, 2019-present

On December 10, 2018, the library closed for a $11.6 million renovation. The next day it was voted to rename the library after Fraser. The Arvonne Fraser Library opened on Saturday January 25, 2020.[11][12][13] The renovation doubled the library's size, adding storage and a children's area.[14]

Arvonne Fraser and other libraries mentioned

  • The Pillsbury Library (1904-1967).
  • The Seven Corners Library (1906-1964)
  • Southeast Library, (1967-2018), Arvonne Fraser Library (2020-present)
  • Library ceiling design schematic.[10]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hoekstra, Joel. "Arvonne Fraser Library". Architecture MN.
  2. ↑ Nelson, Rick (January 24, 2020). "In Dinkytown, a 1960s landmark library gets the rebirth it deserves". Star Tribune.
  3. ↑ Genzlinger, Neil (2018-08-10). "Arvonne Fraser, Who Spoke Out on Women's Issues, Dies at 92". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  4. ↑ Benidt, Bruce Weir (1984). The Library Book: Centennial History of the Minneapolis Public Library. Minneapolis: Minneapolis Public Library and Information Center. ISBN 0961371609.
  5. ↑ Benidt, Bruce Weir (1984). The Library Book: Centennial History of the Minneapolis Public Library. Minneapolis: Minneapolis Public Library and Information Center. ISBN 0961371609.Benidt, Bruce Weir (1984).
  6. ↑ Benidt, Bruce Weir (1984). The Library Book: Centennial History of the Minneapolis Public Library. Minneapolis: Minneapolis Public Library and Information Center. ISBN 0961371609.Benidt, Bruce Weir (1984).
  7. ↑ "Southeast Library". Archived from the original on December 23, 2014. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  8. ↑ Benidt, Bruce Weir (1984). The Library Book: Centennial History of the Minneapolis Public Library. Minneapolis: Minneapolis Public Library and Information Center. ISBN 0961371609.Benidt, Bruce Weir (1984).
  9. ↑ Nelson, Rick (January 24, 2020). "In Dinkytown, a 1960s landmark library gets the rebirth it deserves". Star Tribune.Nelson, Rick (January 24, 2020).
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Hession, Jane King; Rapson, Rip; Wright, Bruce N. (1999). Ralph Rapson: Sixty Years of Modern Design. Afton, Minnesota: Afton Historical Society Press. pp. 180–181. ISBN 9781890434144.
  11. ↑ Harlow, Tim (December 4, 2018). "Southeast Library near University of Minnesota closing Monday for yearlong renovation". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on December 4, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Final Board Agenda, Hennepin County Board of Commissioners, December 11, 2018".
  13. ↑ "Hennepin County Board renames Minneapolis library after Arvonne Fraser". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  14. ↑ Nelson, Rick (January 24, 2020). "In Dinkytown, a 1960s landmark library gets the rebirth it deserves". Star Tribune.Nelson, Rick (January 24, 2020).
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