Shhh! Secrets of the Library's Past (and Present): County Edition
Published on April 21, 2025
When I think of Siouxland Libraries, I think of bright colors, large play spaces, computers, bookmobiles, programs, and friendly librarians. While that may be the current state of the library, it’s interesting to look back at the history of our library to see just how we have evolved over the years. Minnehaha County's library history goes back to 1884.
1884
The Humboldt Club (a men’s literary group) is formed.
1960
The Minnehaha County Rural Public Library system is formed.
The first Hartford public library is established in 1960 at 105 North Main as headquarters and home base for the bookmobile.
1961-1972
Colton's bookmobile delivers books to a bookshelf in the City Hall.
1970
The Minnehaha County Rural Public Library begins plans for a new bookmobile, a Gerstenslager that ran on diesel and was a manual with a double-clutch.
1971
The Garretson library opens in an old, parked bookmobile.
The Humboldt library opens in an old medical clinic at its current location.
1972
The first Colton library building opens on Main Street where City Hall is now located. The library is slightly larger than a bookmobile, but it is well-used by the community.
1973
The original Baltic library opens in City Hall.
Garretson library moves to a small building near the post office.
The Valley Springs library opens in the back of Fire Hall.
1975
Brandon Community Library opens in the former Pump House located at 412 East Elm.
Circa 1980
The Baltic library moves to its current location at 213 St. Olaf Avenue.
1982
Minnehaha County has to vote to keep or remove the Minnehaha County Rural Public Library system. 80.6% of votes were to continue the library.
1984
The Crooks library is built and becomes the new headquarters for the Minnehaha County Rural Public Library system.
The Hartford library moves to the West Central school.
1993
The Humboldt library moves to a temporary location at 201 S Main St.
1994
The Humboldt library opens at its current location in the Community Center.
1995
The Minnehaha County Rural Public Library system merges with Sioux Falls Public Library to create Siouxland Libraries.
2001
Colton Library moves to leased location, doubling their space.
2003
Brandon Community Library moves to its current location at Brandon Valley High School per a joint agreement with Siouxland Libraries, the City of Brandon, and the Brandon Valley School District.
2006
The Valley Springs branch moves to its current location at 401 Broadway. As this was a former bank building, the Valley Springs branch is the only location to feature vaults.
2007
The Garretson branch moves to its current location at 601 North Main.
2012
The Baltic branch undergoes a full remodel.
The Crooks branch is renovated.
2013
The Farmer’s Elevator donates the current Colton building.
2014
Colton moves to its current location at 402 S Dakota Avenue and opens after renovations, which doubled the space of the library again. The community raised money to pay for the renovations.
2019
The Hartford Branch moves to its current location at 119 North Main.
2023
The City of Hartford purchases the building from the Hartford Senior Center. The city completes renovations that more than doubled the size of the library.