East Lake was one of 13 library branches established by the first female head librarian at the Minneapolis Public Library. Gratia Countryman made it her mission to bring people closer to books. She served in the position from 1904 to 1936. The East Lake Library was designed by Jerome Paul Jackson. The modest building was used for almost fifty years. In 1976, the Minneapolis Public Library built a new structure across the street.
The former East Lake Branch was sold and eventually became the home of Northern Sun Merchandising.At the turn of the century the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 2005, Hennepin County closed the second East Lake Library to make way for a third building. The latest incarnation opened two years later. The newest East Lake Library includes a teen area, a small business knoll and fully automated checkout systems.
