Using the Minnesota Historical Society Library: Visiting the Library

Making an appointment to research in-person guarantees your research table/station.

Other advantages include:  

• Items can be waiting at your table when you arrive--use the link in your confirmation email to request up to 6 items in advance.
• Save waiting time on your next visit by holding materials for a future date/time.
• Reserve a specific type of microfilm machine (scanner, printer) or a dedicated computer-only station
• Receive direct email communication in cases of unplanned closures like winter weather.
• Specify if you have particular needs for your workstation (near an electrical outlet, accessible table, number of chairs at your table)--we’ll do our best to accommodate.  
• To make an appointment in advance: Use our online self-service system to make your own appointment up to 8 hours before the start time. Or call us and we can help (651-259-3300).

If you have a research emergency (e.g. an immediate court filing deadline) and cannot find an available research time that will work for you, please call 651-259-3300. We will do our best to help you through either an in-person research visit or a distance option.  

Walk-in appointments:
While walk-in or same-day appointments are sometimes possible, without an appointment in advance we cannot guarantee that there will be a table or station available when you arrive.

• If there is a table available immediately, we will assign it to you for the amount of time it is available.
• If there is not one available, we will help you make the next available appointment.  This may be later the same day, but it may be another day or even another week.
• There is no waiting list for same-day appointments.  
• You must make an appointment to request materials in advance OR to hold materials for use on another day.

All researchers must register upon their first visit to the MNHS Library and show their Library Card when visiting.

To register and receive a permanent Library Card, researchers must present valid photo identification with proof of current home address.
Acceptable photo identification includes:

• Driver’s license
• Passport
• School identification card
• State identification card
• MNHS staff identification card

Receiving and using a Library Card signifies that the researcher has read the “Welcome to the Minnesota Historical Society Library” guide and agrees to abide by its policies.

All researchers must show their Library Registration Card at every visit.

Because the MNHS library holds original, fragile, irreplaceable documents and collections there are some rules in place to ensure preservation and protection of the collection. 

Items allowed in the library: 

• Laptop computers and tablets
  WiFi access is available in both library rooms.
   
• Cameras
  Camera use is allowed under certain guidelines. Please ask the staff for a "Camera Use Policy" handout.

Items prohibited in the library:

• Coats and other outerwear
  Free lockers are available to store outerwear. 
   
• All briefcases, book bags, laptop carriers, handbags/purses, and other personal belongings 
  These items must be left in the locker room. Clear plastic bags are available if you need to bring in computer/camera supplies, money for photocopying, etc.
   
• Cell phone calls
  All cell phone calls must be placed and/or received in the library lobby.
   
• Food or beverages (including water)  
   
• Ink pens or markers 
  Pencils and scratch paper are available for researcher use.
   
• Personal copiers and scanners
   
• No downloading is allowed from MNHS computers
  Including using outside storage devices such as flash drives, etc.

Any person found stealing, defacing, mutilating, or in any way damaging materials will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

In the event of an emergency, patrons are expected to follow all staff instructions including evacuating the reading rooms when asked to do so. Failure to respond to staff instructions may result in loss of MNHS library privileges.

Note: Group Visits are on hold for Fall 2025 while we evaluate this program.

We welcome visits by classes of students from middle school through college and graduate school. To make your visit pleasant and productive, the Library staff have developed the class visit procedures.