minnesota was one of the first states to establish a state library association, following new york, new hampshire, massachusetts, illinois, and new jersey as melvil dewey encouraged state library associations "to carry on the rapidly developing modern library work." the minnesota library association organized and held the first meeting on december 29, 1891, initiated by william watts folwell. the first officers elected at the 1891 meeting included william watts folwell (president), helen j. mccaine (vice president), and j.f. williams (secretary).