Minnesota Digital Library
Historical content from Minnesota's cultural heritage organizations, all in one place
The Minnesota Digital Library (MDL) supports discovery and education through access to unique historical materials shared by cultural heritage organizations from across the state of Minnesota. Our partners include libraries, archives, historical societies, and museums. Since our founding in 2003, we have digitized more than 55,000 items such as photographs, postcards, maps, documents, letters, and oral histories. These materials are available online in a free, searchable collection.
The Minnesota Digital Library also provides education and training opportunities concerning digitization best practices, metadata for digital collections, and digital preservation.
Mission
Create Minnesota’s digital legacy in partnership with libraries and cultural heritage institutions.
Funding
MDL is funded by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund of the Minnesota Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution via the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS). Minitex provides additional funding. Further in-kind services are contributed by MDL’s collaborative partners, including the University of Minnesota.
Staff
Contact MDL Outreach Coordinator Molly Huber to discuss a potential project at mollyh@umn.edu or 612-301-1329 / 800-462-5348. Contact MDL Metadata Librarian Greta Bahnemann with questions related to metadata at bahne002@umn.edu or 612-625-6497/ 800-462-5348. Contact MDL Digital Curator Stephanie Hess about online exhibits or the MDL Scan for Keeps program at hess0299@umn.edu.
