Cooperative Projects

Minnesota is a national leader in fostering efforts to streamline access to library service and CRPLSA plays an active role initiating and sponsoring collaborative opportunities.   The group's interests are eclectic ranging from regular involvment in legislative activities, serving on the Governor's Ultra Highspeed Boardband Task Force, and mentoring new librarians. 

Arts and Cultural Heritage funding for Libraries

The new Library Legacy revenue stream created a high-energy, collaborative opportunity for CRPLSA.   A constitutional amendment passed by the voters in November 2008 appropriates dedicated funds and provides for policy and governance of "outdoor heritage, clean water, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage purposes".  The arts and cultural heritage portion of the appropriation (Article 4, Subdivision 3) includes funding for libraries, stating specifically:

These appropriations are for grants allocated using existing formulas under Minnesota Statutes, section 134.355, to the 12 Minnesota Regional Library Systems, to provide educational opportunities in the arts, history, literary arts, and cultural heritage of Minnesota. No more than 2.5 percent of funds may be used for administration by regional library systems. These funds may be used to sponsor programs provided by regional libraries, or to provide grants to local arts and cultural heritage programs for programs in partnership with regional libraries.

For the full text pertaining to the Outdoor Heritage Fund, Clean Water Fund, Parks and Trails fund, and the Arts and Cultural Heritage, refer to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 172--H.F. 1231.

CRPLSA shares a news blog dedicated to information about Arts and Cultural Heritage Library Legacy funding and regional library system local and collaborative activities.