When he came to Minnesota, he became interested in the state's history. When he learned more about fine printing and printers, he turned to William Morris and the Kelmscott Press. And when he discovered something new, like the Whittington Press, he made sure that the University of Minnesota owned the printer's entire archive. While writing his Princeton Union-Eagle editorials, Andersen wrote a column on book collecting using the name Arne Kjelsberg, his father's first two names. He did not reveal his authorship of the column for many years, though a close friend guessed. Andersen was a longtime member of the bibliophilic Ampersand Club, and his Arne Kjelsberg articles were published the year after his death in honor of the club's 75th anniversary, in 2005. Compilation of the volume commenced while Andersen lived, and he expressed hope to attend its publication party. Andersen's wife supported his bibliomania. Together, their book buying was intimately connected with book giving and support for libraries and reading. Public libraries around the state and other book concerns benefited 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 Andersen's name, is a result of their generosity. The gift of his personal library of 12,500 rare volumes in March 1999 was described in the Minneapolis Star Tribune as "a gift of the heart." Personal life and legacy Andersen met Eleanor Anne Johnson (1911–2011) at Grace University Lutheran Church while they were both students. She was the eldest child of Gustav A. and Elizabeth Johnson, both Swedish immigrants. The Andersens married on September 1, 1932. Eleanor's sister Edith Johnson later married future Minnesota Senator Stanley W. Holmquist. The Andersens settled in the Twin Cities. Eleanor decided to leave the university when they were married and postpone the completion of her degree. Andersen credited his wife for many of his accomplishments. They had three children. Several years later, Eleanor Andersen earned her bachelor's degree. Andersen wrote a number of books, including his autobiography, A Man's Reach; a collection of newspaper articles, Views from the Publisher's Desk; a collection of speeches and reflections, I Trust to Be Believed; and Elmer's Tour, a guide to the Minnesota state capitol building. The Elmer L. and Eleanor J. Andersen Foundation was founded in 1957. Andersen died in Minneapolis on November 15, 2004, just months