University of Minnesota Libraries

ABOUT Welcome to the award-winning University of Minnesota Libraries, one of the University’s and the state’s greatest intellectual assets. HISTORY In 1860, the University Library became a designated depository for Minnesota government publications. Nine years later, University President Folwell established the University Library and appointed himself as librarian, serving until 1906. Walter Library was dedicated in 1924 to accommodate 1,200 readers and 1.5 million volumes in the core stacks area. In 1940, the one millionth book was added to the collections. St. Paul Campus Library was dedicated in 1953, and Wilson Library on the West Bank opened in 1968. MINITEX was established a year later. The Libraries launched the first online catalog in 1987, the first to accomplish a complete conversation of its card catalog.