Washburn Library

🏢 Hennepin County Library · Minneapolis, Minnesota

Washburn Library

Set near the scenic curves of Minnehaha Creek in southwest Minneapolis, Washburn Library has been the neighborhood anchor since 1970, bearing the name of William D. Washburn — the flour magnate and U.S. Senator (1831–1912) who shaped the city's fortunes. Evening hours on Tuesday and Thursday make it easy to stop in after work or school.

📞 (612) 543-8375🌐 hclib.org🧭 Get directions
🕑 Hours & visit📖 About⭐ Highlights📚 Services📍 Nearby❓ FAQ

🕑 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: 5244 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55419

Phone: (612) 543-8375

Website: hclib.org

Plus Code: 86P8WP46+WG (Minneapolis, MN)

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👋 Use the Library Online

&🔍Search the HCLIB catalog →&🌐Washburn Library page & hours →&🎓Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM) →

📖 About Washburn Library

Washburn Library is the Hennepin County Library branch serving the neighborhoods of southwest Minneapolis — Lynnhurst, Tanglewood, Windom Park and the streets that run along Minnehaha Creek. Library service to this corner of the city dates to 1939, when a bookmobile began making regular rounds; the current stand-alone building opened in 1970. The branch is named for William Drew Washburn (1831–1912), a flour-mill operator and U.S. Senator whose Washburn-Crosby Company (forerunner of General Mills) once made Minneapolis the milling capital of the world. Today the library offers public computers, multilingual collections, meeting room space, rotating art exhibitions and the smARTpass program giving cardholders free and discounted admission to Twin Cities arts venues.

⭐ What makes this library special

  • Named for William D. Washburn (1831–1912), U.S. Senator and flour magnate whose mills made Minneapolis the milling capital of the world
  • Library service to the neighborhood began in 1939 via bookmobile; the current building opened in 1970
  • Conveniently located near Minnehaha Creek parkway in the Lynnhurst neighborhood of southwest Minneapolis
  • smARTpass gives cardholders free or discounted admission to 50+ Twin Cities arts venues including the Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Institute of Art
  • Evening hours on Tuesday and Thursday (until 8 pm) serve after-work and after-school visitors

📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card

Washburn cardholders unlock Minnesota's statewide digital collections plus Hennepin County's own licensed databases:

&📚 Libby / OverDriveeBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and comics for all ages, downloadable with a Hennepin card.
&🎧 hooplaStream or download movies, music, comics, audiobooks and TV — no waitlists, no holds.
&🎓 Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM)State-funded databases including academic research, newspaper archives, health resources and more — free for all Minnesotans.
&💻 LinkedIn LearningThousands of software and professional-development courses, free with your library card.
&🌐 Transparent Language OnlineSelf-paced instruction in 70+ languages, available 24/7 for Hennepin County cardholders.

📚 Services

  • Public computers and free Wi-Fi
  • Meeting room available for community reservation
  • Multilingual collections serving southwest Minneapolis neighborhoods
  • smARTpass: free and discounted admission to 50+ Twin Cities arts venues
  • Rotating art exhibitions and installations
  • Interlibrary loan through Hennepin County Library system
  • Homebound delivery available through HCL

🎸 Programs

  • Early learning and storytime for children
  • K–12 homework help
  • Summer learning program
  • Arts and culture events
  • Books and reading programs
  • Health and wellness programming
  • Business and employment resources

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Who was William D. Washburn, and why is the library named after him?

William Drew Washburn (1831–1912) was a Minneapolis flour magnate and U.S. Senator. His Washburn-Crosby Company — forerunner of General Mills — helped make Minneapolis the milling capital of the world in the late 19th century. The southwest Minneapolis library branch bears his name in recognition of his role in shaping the city.

When did Washburn Library open, and how did library service begin in the area?

Library service to southwest Minneapolis started in 1939 with a Hennepin County Library bookmobile route. The current brick building at 5244 Lyndale Avenue South opened in 1970 and has served the Lynnhurst, Tanglewood and Windom Park neighborhoods ever since.

What is smARTpass and how do I use it at Washburn Library?

smARTpass is a program offered through the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA) that gives Hennepin County Library cardholders free or discounted admission to more than 50 Twin Cities arts venues — including the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Children's Theatre Company and many more. Reserve passes online at smartpass.melsa.org using your library card barcode.

What are Washburn Library's evening hours, and is it open on weekends?

Washburn Library is open Tuesday and Thursday from 12 pm to 8 pm — the late nights that work best for after-work or after-school visits. Monday, Wednesday and Friday run 9 am–5 pm, and Saturday is also 9 am–5 pm. The branch is closed on Sunday.

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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.

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