Jones, Perrie (1886-1968) | The American Library Association Archives

Perrie Jones was born on March 22, 1886, in Wabasha, Minnesota. She began her library career in 1911 as the public librarian of her hometown. In 1916, she earned her librarian's certificate from the New York Public Library School. Shortly afterwards, she served overseas with the YMCA during WWI.

Upon her return to Minnesota in 1921, Jones started working at the Saint Paul Public Library, where she organized libraries for wounded veterans and hospital patients. In 1928, she was appointed as the Supervisor of Minnesota State Institutional Libraries. In this role, she managed the library needs of the state's hospitals, schools, and prisons.

In 1937, Jones was appointed as the City Librarian of the Saint Paul Public Library. Despite the challenges posed by the Great Depression and WWII, she significantly expanded the library's collections and services over the next two decades until her retirement in 1955. She also founded the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library, an organization that has continued to support the city's libraries since 1945.

An active participant in library associations, she was elected Chairman of the ALA's Hospital Librarians section in 1924. In 1928, she served as the vice president of the Minnesota Library Association and later became its president in 1930. In addition to her roles, Jones published widely in library journals and had plans to author a comprehensive book titled "Hospital Libraries: What and Why." However, due to her declining health, she was unable to complete the book.

Jones, who passed away on November 7, 1968, bequeathed her estate to what is now known as the Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation. This organization administers the Perrie Jones Library Fund, which continues to support the city's libraries.