Library

Our Library

History

In 1901, a group of ladies interested in expanding the educational opportunities available and feeling a need for additional cultural influences, organized the Book Club. The group, numbering 13, met on a regular basis to purchase and pass along books. Each was to purchase two books a year and these were to be passed along every two weeks. At the end of the year, they could be given to others outside the club. Soon the supply of books and the number of members surpassed the space available in the members' homes. In 1908, the group under the leadership of Mrs. Hart, Mrs. Porter, and Mrs. Sprung formed the Library Association.

They then began to raise funds for a permanent building. The first library was in a building on Main Street, later the location of John's Tire Shop. Members served as librarians and the community was invited to share the books available. J.D. Palmer donated lots in northern LeRoy Village for a library site. Plans were drawn up and in 1914, the city voted to assist the library project. A mass meeting raised $5,000. With volunteer help, the building was erected in 1915. The ladies held teas to pay off the remaining $1,000 debt and presented the building to the city on January 13, 1916. The city began a levy for support of the library in 1921.

The Library Association disbanded in 1931. The library was open 7 days a week. The first librarian to serve was Clara Silsbee. Miss Anna Price served as librarian from 1924 to 1967. Jan Soltau served as librarian from 1967 until 2005. Rhonda Barnes served as librarian from 2005 until 2020.  Brenda Kiefer is the current librarian, beginning in this position as of February 1, 2021.  A fire in November of 1965 gutted the building and destroyed over 5,000 books. The LeRoy Library Association again was organized to restore the library. Through efforts of many in the community, the library reopened in the fall of 1966. It had 505 books on hand from the original library and 600 on loan from the state.  An addition was made to the library building in 1997.  This addition made the library handicapped accessible by providing a new entryway complete with an elevator.

The LeRoy library joined the county library system in 1967. The library is governed by the LeRoy Library Board under the direction of the LeRoy City Council. 

Our Library Hours:

Monday and Thursday: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Tuesday and Wednesday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Saturday: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Friday and Sunday: Closed

Visit our website at http://leroy.lib.mn.us

Locations

LeRoy Public Library
605 N Broadway Avenue
LeRoy, MN 55951
(507) 324-5641