Book Collector
Andersen developed a passion for books as a child, collecting them all his life. As a young traveling salesman he saved his loose change and then spent it on books. His hunt for books brought him into contact with dealers, other collectors, printers and librarians. He was well-acquainted with book and auction catalogs; paging through the catalogs became a welcome break in a busy day. Elmer bought books with a purpose, to build a library. He intended to read his books, know them well, catalog them, and care for them. American and English history and literature, along with inspirational poetry, were of particular interest to Elmer, but as his interests expanded so did his reading and his library. When he came to Minnesota he became interested in the state's history. When he learned more about fine printing and printers his eyes turned towards William Morris and the Kelmscott Press. And when he discovered something new, like the Whittington Press, Elmer made sure that the University owned the entire printer's archive.
Eleanor was wonderfully supportive of her husband's bibliomania. Together, their book buying was intimately connected with book giving and support for libraries and reading. Public libraries around the state as well as other book concerns benefitted from their support and interest. They were major benefactors of the University of Minnesota and its Libraries. Much of the collection at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Library, which bears the Andersen name, is a direct result of their generosity. The gift of the Governor’s personal library of 12,500 rare volumes in March 1999 was described in the Minneapolis Star Tribune as “a gift of the heart.” Elmer didn't stop collecting, however, and the Eleanor J. and Elmer L. Andersen Collection now numbers about 16,000 volumes.
Andersen believed there was an additional mission to the three central missions—teaching, research, and community service—of the University: an archival one. It is especially significant that the building housing the archives and special collections of the University Libraries is named for the man who expressed his deep personal belief in the University's "fourth mission." On May 14, 1999, the University's Board of Regents unanimously voted to name the newest library in honor of Andersen. The Elmer L. Andersen Library opened to the public in April 2000.
Andersen wrote three books, a 2000 autobiography called A Man's Reach, a collection of newspaper articles titled Views from the Publisher's Desk and a collection of speeches and reflections, I Trust to be Believed.
Andersen died in Minneapolis on November 15, 2004 just months after a gala celebration for his 95th birthday held in the library that bears his name.
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