The library has served the residents of Empire, Glen Arbor, and Kasson townships since 1977. The library was first housed in an annex of the former Bolton Department Store building in Empire. In 1983, the library moved down the street to its current location, previously used as the Empire Fire Hall. By 1996 the need for more space had become very apparent. Voters approved a tax assessment that funded a major addition to the building, along with a significant increase to our operating income. Since then, the library has grown steadily, with the implementation of an automated circulation system, public computers, and greatly enhanced collections. As information technologies become an ever-greater part of our services, the evolution of the library continues.