Walker Library

Walker Library is a public library on Hennepin Avenue in the Uptown neighborhood and features contemporary architecture with large windows throughout. The building provides reading areas, community spaces, computer stations, and collections spanning multiple languages alongside tutoring services.

The original Walker Library was built in 1911 on Hennepin Avenue South before being relocated underground during the 1970s. The facility later moved to its current above-ground location where it operates today.

Thomas Barlow Walker, a Minneapolis business leader and art collector, donated the land for the first library to increase literature access in the community.

The library is easily accessible from surrounding streets with clear entrances and well-marked sections throughout the building. Elevators and accessible facilities help visitors navigate the different areas comfortably.

From 1981 to 2014 the library operated from an underground location before returning to above-ground space. This hidden phase in its history makes it a surprising example of how the building adapted to urban needs over decades.