History 21 The Podcast - 5.24 The Anoka Library Story

The first reports of residents in Anoka borrowing books date back to 1859. Discover the story of the city’s evolving library system, including the women who led its establishment, the construction and eventual destruction of a Carnegie Library, and the final developments in its history.

Join hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, as they share this intriguing story.

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Anoka’s City Libraries

Ticknor Building Anoka City Library

The Anoka City Library encompassed a couple of rooms on the second floor of the Ticknor Building on 2nd Ave and Main St. in downtown Anoka.

Carnegie Building Anoka City Library

With funds from Andrew Carnegie, a new city library was built on the corner of 3rd Ave and Jackson St in Anoka. It housed the library from 1904 until its demolition in 1966.

Final Anoka City Library

The replacement of the Carnegie Library created more space for books and a growing city. Located on the corner of 3rd Ave and Van Buren St., it was built in 1965 and housed the library until 2000, when the city and county library systems merged. Since then, the Anoka County Historical Society has called the building home. The City of Anoka plans to redevelop the site where the building stands, and the building will be demolished to support the new vision in early 2027, marking the final chapter of the Anoka City Library story.

Library Minute

Check out some of the Anoka County Library items that have been digitized in the ACHS database.