Thorson Memorial Library was founded nearly 100 years ago by volunteers when members of a Women’s Study Club set out to create a free library for area residents. Thorson Memorial Library is located in Elbow Lake, MN (pop. 1,275). The library moved a number of times in its early years until the mid-1930’s when it settled into its current site, the Scofield Community Building.

The location is convenient and accessible to our patrons. It shares the Elbow Lake Community Building with the Elbow Lake City Offices, Senior Citizen Day Center and Senior Nutrition Center, the Elbow Lake Chamber of Commerce, and public meeting spaces.

As the only library in Grant County (pop. 6,078) we strive to provide library services throughout the county. Grant County is a rural community in the west central region of Minnesota. Our economy is based strongly on agriculture. There are three school districts in Grant County.

In 1977 Thorson Memorial Library became a member of the Viking Library Regional System along with 11 other area libraries. We work closely with Viking Library System and the other member libraries developing policies and practices that shape the delivery of our services.

Thorson Memorial Library recognizes that for many people access to information such as books, newspapers, magazines, movies, computers and the Internet comes primarily from their local library. It is our intent to maintain an atmosphere in which all people of ethnic, age and socio-economic diversity feel welcome.

The foundation of all of our efforts is to provide our community with quality resources, materials, programming, hands-on learning opportunities and state of the art technology. We value the community we serve and the strong community partnerships developed over time.

The volunteer spirit here is alive and well as area businesses, organizations, and our community members-at-large are strong supporters and advocates of the public library.

The library is a member of Viking Library System, The American Library Association, Minnesota Library Association, our local Family Services Collaborative (The Child and Youth Council) and the Elbow Lake Chamber of Commerce.

117 Central Ave ~ P.O. Box 1040
Elbow Lake, MN 56531
Located downtown Elbow Lake at the intersection of Hwy 79 & 59 in the historical Scofield Community Building
Tele: 218-685-6850
Fax: 218-685-6852
library@elbowlakelibrary.org

Hours:
Monday 9:00-5:00
Tuesday 12:00-8:00
Wednesday 9:00-5:00
Thursday 12:00-8:00
Friday 9:00-5:00
Saturday 9:00-2:00

Library Boards 2022

Click here for a listing of Thorson Memorial Library’s board members for the library governing board, Friends of the Library board, and the library’s foundation members.