Arvonne Fraser Library
🏢 Hennepin County Library · Minneapolis, Minnesota
Arvonne Fraser Library
Arvonne Fraser Library, on the edge of the University of Minnesota's Gateway District in Southeast Minneapolis, is housed in a building designed by master architect Ralph Rapson — originally built as a credit union and reimagined as a public library when it opened in 1967. Named for Minnesota civic leader and women's rights advocate Arvonne Fraser, it offers self-service holds pickup from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, making it one of the most accessible branches in the system.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–5pm |
| Tuesday | 12pm–8pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–5pm |
| Thursday | 12pm–8pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 1222 4th Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Phone: (612) 543-6725
Website: hclib.org
Plus Code: 86P8XQJ6+FW (Minneapolis, MN)
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📖 About Arvonne Fraser Library
Arvonne Fraser Library serves the Cedar-Riverside and Marcy-Holmes neighborhoods of Southeast Minneapolis from 1222 4th Street SE, steps from the University of Minnesota campus. The building was designed by Ralph Rapson — the celebrated Minnesota modernist architect behind the Guthrie Theater — and originally functioned as a credit union before opening as a library in 1967. It follows a lineage of library service in the area that dates to the East Side Branch (1891–1904) and the Pillsbury Library (1904–1967), both of which served the University community. The branch is named in honor of Arvonne Fraser, the Minneapolis-born feminist and Democratic-Farmer-Labor activist who served as a Minneapolis City Council member and later as U.S. Representative to the United Nations. Self-service holds pickup is available daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., well beyond staffed hours, giving students and neighbors flexible access to reserved materials.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Designed by Ralph Rapson, the prominent Minnesota modernist architect who also created the original Guthrie Theater — originally built as a credit union, opened as a library in 1967
- Named for Arvonne Fraser, Minneapolis civic leader, women's rights advocate, and UN Representative
- Succeeds a lineage of library service on this site dating to the East Side Branch of 1891 and the Pillsbury Library of 1904
- Self-service holds pickup available daily 7 a.m.–8 p.m. — broader access than staffed hours
- Located in the Gateway District, within walking distance of the University of Minnesota East Bank
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Arvonne Fraser Library cardholders can access Minnesota's statewide digital resources and Hennepin County's online collections free of charge:
📚 Services
- Self-service holds pickup daily 7am–8pm (broader than staffed hours)
- Public computers and printing during staffed hours
- Free Wi-Fi accessible during and beyond staffed hours
- Reference assistance during open hours
- Interlibrary loan through Hennepin County Library
🎸 Programs
- Free library events for adults, teens, and children
- Community programs and summer reading
- Friends of Arvonne Fraser Library membership
📍 Nearby Libraries in Minneapolis
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Minneapolis · Browse all Minnesota libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Arvonne Fraser and why is this library named after her?
Arvonne Fraser (1925–2018) was a Minneapolis civic leader, feminist activist, and Democratic-Farmer-Labor politician who served on the Minneapolis City Council and later as the U.S. Representative to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women under President Clinton. Born in Lamberton, Minnesota, she was a lifelong champion of women's rights and public service. The Southeast Minneapolis library was renamed in her honor.
What makes the Arvonne Fraser Library building architecturally significant?
The building was designed by Ralph Rapson, one of Minnesota's most celebrated modernist architects, known for the original Guthrie Theater and several University of Minnesota buildings. Rapson designed the structure as a credit union; it was repurposed as a public library when it opened in 1967, giving the branch a distinct architectural character unusual among neighborhood libraries.
Can I pick up my holds outside of regular library hours?
Yes. Self-service holds pickup is available daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., which extends well beyond the staffed opening hours of 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (or noon–8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday). This makes it convenient for students and commuters to collect reserved materials on their own schedule.
How long has there been a library serving this corner of Southeast Minneapolis?
Library service in this part of Minneapolis dates to 1891, when the East Side Branch opened near the University of Minnesota. It was succeeded in 1904 by the Pillsbury Library, which served the neighborhood until 1967, when the current Ralph Rapson-designed building opened as the Southeast Library — later renamed Arvonne Fraser Library.
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