Mission:

It is the mission of the South St. Paul Public Library to support lifelong learning and recreational library use by encouraging a desire to read to enrich the quality of life.

South St. Paul Public Library is funded by the city of South St. Paul in Dakota County, Minnesota. Dedicated to serving our community, we are one of the few independent libraries still operating in the Twin Cities. 

History:

1916 - The first library board is appointed by Mayor C. W. Clark.

1922 - With the help of the library board, fundraising efforts lead to the opening of the first public library in the Fitzgerald Building on Grand Avenue.

1927 - The current library building opens its doors.

1959 - Dakota/Scott counties form a library system, but South St. Paul Library chooses to remain an independent city library.

1961 - The first bookmobile begins bringing the collection to every part of South St. Paul.

1963 - Dakota/Scott counties and South St. Paul enter a borrowing pact.

1965 - A new addition is constructed on the South side of the library.

1988 - Automation!  The library catalog becomes computerized and barcodes are added to library cards and books.

1994 - The bookmobile makes its last stop and is retired.

2010 - Popular eBooks become available for South St. Paul residents to download for free from the library.

2012 - First self-check machine installed.