"Swinging Crowd Greets Nokomis Library"
That was the headline for Minneapolis Star columnist Barbara Flanagan's account of the Sept. 1968 grand opening of the Nokomis Library in Minneapolis--the first new branch library built in the city in 37 years.
That's just one tidbit from the talk I'm doing on the architectural history of Nokomis Library, on Thursday, Sept. 22, 6 p.m., 5100 34th Ave. S. The library reopened a few months ago after a major renovation. The event is presented in collaboration with the Minnesota Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians (MNSAH).
If you've read this far, you are probably dying to hear more from Barbara's column. Here you go:
The live ones were at the new Nokomis branch library this week. Wow, what a scene! I thought for an instant that every TV set in town had broken down.
When I navigated the obstacle course outside through bikes and barking dogs, I found the jumpingest bunch of book lovers in town. Most were under 13. And nobody was shushing them.