Upcoming Events
Walter Library History | Walter Library Memories
Visit the Walter Library 100 table at these events
Stop by the Walter Library 100 table at the following events to pick up stickers, postcards, and bookmarks to celebrate Walter Library. Learn more about the history and upcoming events as we mark 100 years of the “new” library on campus.
- Gopher Gear Up: Tuesday, 8/29 at 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Coffman front plaza
- Campus Exploration Fair: Friday, 9/1 at 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., outside Walter Library
- Bonus: explore the mini-exhibit in the Upson room (Walter first floor room 102) and go on a mini-Walter Library tour
- UMN Farmers Market: Wednesday, 9/6 at 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Gateway Plaza (Outside McNamara Alumni Center)
- WAM-O-RAMA: Friday, 9/8 at 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Weisman Art Museum
- WAM’s Study Night x Art Rental (with Pop-up library): Wednesday, 9/27 at 5 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Weisman Art Museum
- Academic Success and Peer Tutoring Fair: Thursday 9/28 – 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Walter Library 100 Pop-up Exhibit
Friday, Sept. 8 from 12 – 1:30 p.m.
Walter Library is turning 100 years old! Explore a mini-exhibit about the history and construction of the first “new” library on campus. Meet in the unique and historic Upson Room (room 102) to explore campus history and view blueprints, then and now images and more. Go on a mini-tour and pick up stickers, postcards, and bookmarks to celebrate Walter Library. Free. All are welcome.
UMN InstaMeet – Walter Library 100 edition
Sept. 24 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Join us for a UMN InstaMeet to celebrate the 100 birthday of Walter Library. An InstaMeet is a way for Gophers (current, past and future) to meet one another and take photos around their favorite old library together. Learn more and register.Party Like it’s your birthday: Walter Library 100
Walter Library at 100 Kickoff at Homecoming
Sept. 26 Open House from 3 to 5 p.m.
Did you know Walter Library is turning 100 years old? Let’s celebrate! Join us at Walter Library on Tuesday, Sept. 26 anytime from 3 – 5 p.m.
Learn about the history and construction of “the library,” see then/now photos, spin the prize wheel for a chance to win a Walter 100 t-shirt. Play lawn games and write a birthday message to one of our favorite buildings on campus.
Walter Library 100 Pop-up Exhibit
Thursday, Oct. 19 from 3:30 – 5 p.m.
Walter Library is turning 100 years old! Explore a mini-exhibit about the history and construction of the first “new” library on campus. Meet in the unique and historic Upson Room (room 102) to explore campus history and view blueprints, then and now images and more. Go on a mini-tour and pick up stickers, postcards, and bookmarks to celebrate Walter Library. Free. All are welcome.
Walter Library 100 Pop-up Exhibit – Parent & Family weekend
Friday, Oct. 27 from 2 – 4 p.m.
Walter Library is turning 100 years old! We are welcoming Parents & Family for this special Explore, a mini-exhibit about the history and construction of the first “new” library on campus. Meet in the unique and historic Upson Room (room 102) to explore campus history and view blueprints, then and now images and more. Go on a mini-tour and pick up stickers, postcards, and bookmarks to celebrate Walter Library. Free. All are welcome.
Walter Library 100 Pop-up Exhibit
Thursday, Nov. 9 from 3:30 – 5 p.m.
Walter Library is turning 100 years old! Explore a mini-exhibit about the history and construction of the first “new” library on campus. Meet in the unique and historic Upson Room (room 102) to explore campus history and view blueprints, then and now images and more. Go on a mini-tour and pick up stickers, postcards, and bookmarks to celebrate Walter Library. Free. All are welcome.
Universities and Power, Part 2 — Dec. 5, 2023
How can we better understand universities and their power? How do we negotiate the impacts they have had on surrounding communities, on students, and on an array of pressing and challenging issues shaping society? How do these questions play out when it comes to University of Minnesota history?
Come hear Yalile Suriel, Assistant Professor of Universities and Power, and Ellen Holt-Werle, Institutional Archivist, talk about how they are tackling these questions here at the University of Minnesota.
The Past, Present, and Future of the Libraries — Fall 2024
University Archivist Erik Moore and Mary Miller, Director of Preservation and Collections Management, will engage in conversation on the evolution of the University Libraries, while demonstrating the critical importance of the Libraries to the University of Minnesota and to the State of Minnesota. The talk will include conversation about the history of Walter Library and the Libraries’ new Collections Facility, slated to open in November 2024 — 100 years after the opening of Walter Library.
Walter 100 Scavenger Hunt — Owl Edition
Walk around Walter Library and see if you can find the hidden owl. Follow the guide and answer the questions on this form to be entered into a drawing for a UMN Libraries T-shirt.
Past Events
An Afternoon Tea: Celebrating 100th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone
On May 17, 1923, the University of Minnesota celebrated a significant milestone: the cornerstone was laid for its new library building, then called simply “The Library.” Exactly 100 years later, current and former staff members — along with members of the University community — gathered to commemorate the anniversary.
The celebration took place on May 17, 2023 in the Great Hall of this very same building, which was renamed after University Librarian Frank K. Walter in 1959. Attendees had the opportunity to gather and learn about the past, present, and future of both Walter Library and the University Libraries writ large.