Rock County Community Library (Luverne)

The Rock County Community Library made its start in 1881 when Luverne lawyer E.H. Canfield raised enough money from his subscription newspaper to buy a collection of books. These books were kept in his law office and made available to the public to borrow. However, this collection was short-lived, as – according to the Star Herald – the public did not share Mr. Canfield’s literary tastes.

A few years later, a group of women called the Boom Brigade took over the project. They placed the Canfield collection in a public reading room above the post office, along with a Scandinavian collection. In 1887, a petition was present to the city council by a number of Luverne women requesting the establishment of a public library. On August 3, 1887, the resolution was passed and the Luverne Public Library was born.

The library began its life on the second floor of City Hall. In 1904, the library moved into its home of 88 years: the Carnegie building.

In 1974, the Luverne Public Library became the Rock County Community Library, expanding its services beyond city limits to residents of the county as well. In the same year, the library joined the Plum Creek Library System.

As usage and services increased, the library operation outgrew the Carnegie building. In 1992, the library moved into the former Savings and Loan building on Main Street. The Rock County Community Library continues to grow and thrive, serving Rock County residents throughout the decades past, present, and future.