Public Libraries in Minnesota
United States — Upper Midwest
Public Libraries in Minnesota
Explore public libraries across the Land of 10,000 Lakes — find hours, addresses, digital resources and programs near you.
17
Cities Covered
358+
Library Outlets
Free
Library Cards
🏛 Browse Minnesota libraries by county
County-wide library systems with branches, hours, and cards:
Minnesota's public libraries are supported by the State Library Services and serve communities across the state. This directory covers 17 cities including Minneapolis, St Paul, Woodbury, Eagan, Richfield, Arlington, Blaine — with hours, addresses, phone numbers, and the free digital services available to Minnesota residents.
Browse Libraries by City
More Minnesota Libraries
⭐ Featured Library
Wescott Library — Dakota County Library
The administrative headquarters of the Dakota County Library system, serving Eagan and surrounding communities since 1981. Over 230,000 visitors annually.
📍 1340 Wescott Road, Eagan, MN 55123
📞 (651) 450-2900
🕐 Mon–Thu 9AM–8PM | Fri–Sat 9AM–5PM | Sun 1–5PM
About Public Libraries in Minnesota
Minnesota has one of the strongest public library systems in the United States, with over 358 library outlets serving communities of all sizes — from the Twin Cities metro area to small rural towns. The state's libraries collectively circulate tens of millions of items annually and provide free access to digital resources, broadband internet, educational programs, and community gathering spaces.
Minnesota's library system is coordinated by Minnesota Library Services (part of the Minnesota Department of Education), which provides funding, training, and statewide digital resources. Most Minnesota libraries participate in the Minitex interlibrary loan network, meaning cardholders can borrow materials from libraries across the state.
All public libraries in Minnesota offer free library cards to residents. Many also provide cards to non-residents for a small annual fee, and all participate in the statewide digital library program offering access to eBooks, audiobooks, and streaming services.
📚 What Minnesota Libraries Offer
- 📖 Books, DVDs, audiobooks & magazines
- 💻 Digital eBooks & audiobooks (Libby/OverDrive)
- 🎬 Streaming films (Kanopy or Hoopla)
- 📡 Free Wi-Fi & public computers
- 👶 Children’s storytimes & programs
- 🎓 Adult learning & literacy programs
- 📚 Interlibrary loan via Minitex network
🗺️ Minnesota Library Fast Facts
| Library outlets | 358+ |
| State coordinator | MN Library Services |
| ILL network | Minitex |
| Digital platform | Libby / OverDrive |
| Largest system | Hennepin County Library |
| Library card cost | Free for residents |
Free Digital Resources
📚 ELM (Electronic Library for Minnesota) — Free for Minnesota Residents
Every Minnesota resident gets free access to ELM (Electronic Library for Minnesota), a statewide collection of research databases with magazine, journal, newspaper, and encyclopedia articles plus e-books. Delivered by Minitex, it is available at the library or from home with a Saint Paul Public Library card.
🎫 New to the library in Minnesota? See our step-by-step guide on how to get a library card — what you need, applying online, non-resident options and cards for kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
Special services at Minnesota libraries
Beyond books, many Minnesota public libraries offer these services — browse the verified, up-to-date list for each:
Explore More Minnesota Library Resources
More ways to find and use public libraries across Minnesota — browse the largest county system and practical how-to guides that work at any Minnesota library.