Gratia Countryman at the Minneapolis Central Library

Gratia Countryman, known as the “Jane Addams of libraries,” was born in 1866 in Hastings, Minnesota to Levi and Alta Chamberlain Countryman. She was raised in an exceptionally supportive and loving household. Upon her graduation from Hastings High School—where her commencement essay focused on women’s educational and vocational rights—Countryman’s parents moved their family to Minneapolis, enabling their children to attend the University of Minnesota while living at home. Countryman was a leader within the University of Minnesota community, taking on multiple leadership roles in student organizations and founding one of her own.

Upon her graduation in 1889, Countryman began working for the Minneapolis Public Library (MPL) as it was preparing to open to the public, beginning her successful career in librarianship. Her early accomplishments at MPL included advocating for state library laws and the creation of the State Library Commission, as well as developing plans for the creation of traveling libraries. Thus, when the head librarian of the MPL announced his retirement, Countryman was inevitably considered for the position.

Countryman became the head librarian of the MPL in 1904, though not without resistance. Upon her hiring, the salary for the position dropped from $3,000 to $2,000 and the assistant librarian position was eliminated. Despite these challenges, Countryman expanded the MPL greatly as head librarian. She opened 13 libraries, grew the number of borrowers from 13,000-186,000, grew library collections by 500,000 volumes, grew staff from 43-250, and grew the number of book distribution sites from 14-350. These distribution sites included drugstore counters, prisons, hospitals, factories, and more. She was also well known for her “book wagon” project.

Countryman was a successful leader outside of the MPL as well. Notably, Countryman had a strong history with the American Library Association (ALA). She first became involved in an ALA leadership position in 1902 when she was first elected to the council. She would go on to serve multiple terms on the council and executive board and several terms as second vice-president. She was also active in a variety of committees. Countryman went on to serve as ALA president in 1934 at the height of the Great Depression. She continued to be active in the organization after the end of her presidency. For example, in 1935 she served as an ALA delegate at the Second International Library and Bibliographic Congress in Madrid. 

Even after her compulsory retirement from the MPL in 1936, Countryman continued to be involved with the library. In 1938 she was recruited to head a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project. This was a newspaper indexing project that took place at the MPL, creating jobs for 200 unemployed white color professionals. She left the project in 1941 due to an eye operation.

Countryman died in 1953 at age 86. The Minneapolis Tribune, describing her legacy, writes that Countryman, “placed the indelible stamp of a vigorous and far-seeing personality upon our library system … [She] left countless library users in her dept because she planned so well against the future’s needs.” 

Brown, Curt. 2015. "Minnesota History: For Gratia Countryman, An Early Librarian, Praise Is Long Overdue". Star Tribune. https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-history-for-gratiacountryman-an-early-librarian-praise-is-long-overdue/301320371/.

Pejsa, Jane. 1995. Gratia Countryman. Minneapolis: Nodin Press.

Roberts, Kate. 2011. "Countryman, Gratia Alta (1866–1953) | Mnopedia". Mnopedia.Org. https://www.mnopedia.org/person/countryman-gratia-alta-1866-1953.

Stuhler, Barbara, and Gretchen V Kreuter. 1998. Women of Minnesota. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press.