Library Collection

The Minnesota Historical Society's Library contains printed materials, including books, pamphlets, serials, microfilm and newspapers, all of which document the state, its people and its culture.

This collection of 500,000 volumes is particularly strong in the areas of early Minnesota imprints; histories of Minnesota counties, communities, churches, schools, and organizations; directories, atlases, and plat books of the state; Minnesota family histories and genealogical reference materials; histories and trade catalogs of Minnesota businesses; and local labor and political organizations. The Mississippi River, the Great Lakes, and Canadian history are also strongly represented in the collection. Materials on American Indians of the Upper Midwest and their early contact with European and American explorers and missionaries can support the highest levels of research.

The library contains the largest collection in the world of Minnesota fiction and works from local private presses. It also holds nearly every newspaper published in the state, with the possible exception of some foreign-language titles and issues.

In addition, the library collection supports all of the Historical Society's other collections as a repository of general reference materials.

Searching the Collection
Library materials can be searched through the library catalog.

Copy Services
Find information about the copy services available at the Society.

How to Donate
Donating items to the Society's collections.