Carlton Area Public Library
🏢 Arrowhead Library System · Carlton, Minnesota
Carlton Area Public Library
Tucked into the county seat of Carlton County at the edge of Jay Cooke State Park, the Carlton Area Public Library is a welcoming community anchor where the Willard Munger State Trail meets small-town Minnesota hospitality.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 1pm–6pm |
| Wednesday | 1pm–6pm |
| Thursday | 1pm–6pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 10am–3pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 310 CHESTNUT AVE, CARLTON, MN 55718
Phone: +1218-384-3322
Website: cityofcarlton.com
Plus Code: 86R9MH7G+H8 (CARLTON, MN)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Carlton Area Public Library
Carlton Area Public Library serves the city of Carlton and surrounding Carlton County communities through the Arrowhead Library System, a regional network spanning northeastern Minnesota. The library sits just off Chestnut Avenue in the historic railroad town founded in 1881 as Northern Pacific Junction and later renamed for State Senator Reuben B. Carlton. In 2015 Carlton absorbed the neighboring city of Thomson, expanding the community the library serves. The library offers free borrower cards to all Carlton County residents and provides access to the statewide ELM (Electronic Library for Minnesota) digital collection through your free card, giving patrons eBooks, audiobooks, and research databases at no cost. Staff members Jodie Johnson, Cathie Anderson, and Barb Samarzia keep this close-knit library running with friendly, personalized service.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Member of the Arrowhead Library System, connecting patrons to resources across northeastern Minnesota
- Adjacent to the Willard Munger State Trail — ideal for a post-ride library visit
- County seat location serves all of Carlton County, gateway to Jay Cooke State Park
- Rate Your Read adult book club meets the third Saturday of each month
- Second Saturday Crafts program for pre-K through 6th grade engages young readers year-round
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your free Carlton Area library card unlocks the full statewide Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM) and MNLINK interlibrary loan network:
📚 Services
- Free public library card for Carlton County residents
- Physical book, DVD, and audiobook lending
- Interlibrary loan via MNLINK
- Public computers and free Wi-Fi
- Photocopying and printing
- Access to ELM statewide digital resources
- Summer reading program (June–August)
🎸 Programs
- Rate Your Read adult book club — third Saturday monthly
- Second Saturday Crafts — pre-K through 6th grade
- Adult Board Game Night — second Friday monthly
- Summer reading program for all ages
- Cultural events funded by Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund
📍 Nearby Libraries in the Arrowhead Region
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does Carlton Area Public Library offer interlibrary loan?
Yes. Through the MNLINK statewide network, cardholders can request books, DVDs, and other materials from libraries across Minnesota at no charge. Just ask staff or submit a request online.
Is the library near Jay Cooke State Park?
Carlton sits on the northwestern edge of Jay Cooke State Park, and the Willard Munger State Trail runs through the city — making the library a convenient stop before or after exploring the park's gorge trails and Saint Louis River scenery.
What is the Rate Your Read book club?
Rate Your Read is the library's adult book club, meeting on the third Saturday of each month. Participants choose their own books and share ratings and reviews — no assigned title required. Ask staff for details on the next meeting.
Can children participate in library programs here?
Absolutely. The library hosts Second Saturday Crafts each month for children from pre-K through 6th grade, plus an annual summer reading program every June through August with games and reading challenges for all ages.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.
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