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Austin Public Library Celebrates 150+ Years of Community Service
New historical exhibit traces library's evolution from 1973's "Library Lines" column to today's digital tools
Published on Feb. 6, 2026
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The Austin Public Library is celebrating over 150 years of serving the local community with the opening of a new historical exhibit that explores the library's history, from the "Library Lines" column in the Austin Daily Herald in 1973 to the modern digital resources available today. The exhibit, created in partnership with the Mower County Historical Society, showcases how the library has evolved to meet the changing information needs of residents, while maintaining its core mission of providing access to knowledge and answering community questions.
Why it matters
The Austin Public Library has been a vital community institution for over a century and a half, serving as a hub for information, curiosity, and connection. This exhibit highlights the library's enduring role in the lives of Austin residents, tracing how it has adapted to technological changes while staying true to its founding principles of enabling access to knowledge and supporting an informed citizenry.
The details
The new historical exhibit features materials from the library's archives, including issues of the "Library Lines" column that ran in the Austin Daily Herald in the 1970s. These columns provide a window into the library's past, showcasing how staff answered a wide range of community questions, from travel plans to business directories. While the specific tools and resources have evolved over the decades, from physical reference books to digital databases, the library's core mission of serving as a trusted source of information for all remains the same.
- The Austin Public Library first opened its doors in the 1870s.
- The "Library Lines" column ran in the Austin Daily Herald starting in October 1973.
- The new historical exhibit celebrating the library's 150+ year history opened to the public on February 1, 2026.
The players
Austin Public Library
A public library system serving the city of Austin, Minnesota, with a history dating back to the 1870s. The library has evolved over the decades to meet the changing information needs of the community.
Mower County Historical Society
A local historical organization that partnered with the Austin Public Library to create the new exhibit exploring the library's history and impact on the community.
What’s next
The library plans to host a series of events and programs throughout the year to celebrate its 150+ year history and engage the community in exploring the exhibit.
The takeaway
The Austin Public Library's new historical exhibit showcases the institution's enduring role as a vital community resource, adapting to technological changes while remaining steadfast in its mission to provide access to knowledge and support an informed citizenry. This exhibit serves as a testament to the library's lasting impact on the lives of Austin residents over the past century and a half.
