Ann Hutton – CRPLSA

Announcing MNBA Finalists

On Saturday, January 28, The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library announced the finalists in nine categories for the 29th Annual Minnesota Book Awards. Reviewed and chosen by 27 judges from around the state – writers, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and others from the literary community – the categories are:

Children’s Literature
General Nonfiction
Genre Fiction
Memoir & Creative Nonfiction
Middle Grade Literature (new this year)
Minnesota Nonfiction
Novel & Short Story
Poetry
Young Adult Literature

Eligibility and process — Books created by writers, illustrators or book artists who are Minnesotans are eligible for Minnesota Book Awards. The Awards are given each year for books published in the previous year. For instance, the this selection of finalists were 2016 for consideration in 2017.

The Book Awards process begins with nominations, which are received from authors, publishers and others from throughout the state. From the nominated works, panels of preliminary round judges choose four finalists. Award winners are then selected by different, final round, judging panels. Of note this year, 15 of the titles were published by Minnesota presses.

The 29th Annual Minnesota Book Awards ceremony will be held at the InterContinental Hotel in St. Paul on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. Seating is limited. Make early reservations.

Legislative Update 2017-01-26

The following information was shared via email with the library community on Thursday, January 26, 2017 by Sam Walseth, Capitol Hill Associates, in his role as the MLA-ITEM lobbyist.

Dayton’s Budget Plan

Governor Dayton announced a budget plan earlier this week that would add significant new revenue into the public education system. $371 million would go toward “2&2” on the basic formula allowance for all students. Another $75 million would go toward expanding his voluntary pre-K program. $40 million would go toward special education. He also proposed $68 million to help solve the Teacher Retirement Association (TRA) solvency problem.
There’s no new funding proposed for library programs, but your legislative team is working on that!

Bonding Bill??

We’re well aware that 2016 did not produce a bonding bill and our $2 million for library renovation and construction projects is still in limbo. Governor Dayton at the start of this session announced a $1.5 billion bonding package that includes the $2 million for library renovation and construction. Later today the Senate Capital Investment Committee is expected to move a significant bonding package out of committee that will include the $2 million for library renovation and construction. The Senate bill is a ‘dust-off’ of the bill that almost passed last session. As for the House, it’s unclear as to what their game plan is on bonding at this point.

RLBSS & Multi-County Multi-Type Funding

Our bill to improve the formula and funding for RLBSS and the Multi-types will be chief authored by Rep. Bud Nornes (GOP Fergus Falls) and Sen. Gary Dahms (GOP Redwood Falls). We’re still gathering co-authors so we won’t have a bill introduction with a bill number for some time yet.

We’ve also begun discussions with and bill drafting for the Library Legacy request, but that won’t appear for some time yet.

Legislative Day Registration Opens

Minnesota Library Legislative Day is just around the corner. Library supporters are invited to converge at the Capitol for this important annual event on February 21-22.

Although Wednesday is the highlight, activities begin on Tuesday at the Rice Street Library. After light refreshments and an informal meet-and-greet, representatives of Capitol Hill Associates, MLA’s lobbying team, will provide and update on legislative developments affecting libraries in 2017-2020.

If you are unable to attend the evening briefing, don’t worry. Capitol Hill Associates will host a repeat session the next morning at the Judicial Center (on the capitol grounds). Throughout the day you will have a chance to meet with your legislators and voice your support for libraries and their continued funding.

Click here to learn more, and to register for this free and truly invaluable advocacy opportunity.

New Season of Club Book

Club Book is proud to announce the new lineup for the Winter/Spring 2017 Season. Club Book brings best-selling and award-winning national and regional authors to libraries throughout the seven-county Twin Cities region. This MELSA Library Legacy program is coordinated by Library Strategies and funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. All events are free and open to the public!

Podcasts of this season’s discussions will be available a few days after each event at www.clubbook.org and on iTunes. Past seasons’ podcasts are available for streaming and download, so check them out!

ECRL photo makes MN Reflections calendar

This photo of the old bookmobile in Stanchfield was selected as a cover shot for the MN Reflections 2017 calendar.

In May 1960, a photograph was taken of people standing in line for the East Central Regional Library bookmobile in Stanchfield. More than 50 years later, that image and many more like it live on thanks to a unique project in Minnesota.

East Central Regional Library (ECRL) last year announced its first digital collection of historical images in Minnesota Digital Library’s Minnesota Reflections, courtesy of the Digital Public Library of America’s Public Library Partnerships Project. ECRL’s contribution to the Reflections project provides insight into the oldest existing multi-county regional public library system in Minnesota.

The ECRL collection includes images used in ECRL’s history book, East Central Regional Library: Fifty Years of Connections, 1959-2009, by Marilyn McGriff. One photograph, the one showing the ECRL bookmobile line at Stanchfield, was even selected as a cover shot for the Minnesota Digital Library’s Minnesota Reflections 2017 calendar. Download your copy here.

VLS Seeks Executive Director

The Viking Library System (VLS) announces an excellent opportunity to lead a well-established federated regional public library system. Services are provided directly to the public through bookmobile and outreach services and indirectly through 11 independent member libraries. The system is funded through a combination of county, state, and federal resources.

Requirements for success applicants include: Master of Library Science degree from an ALA-accredited library program, five to seven years of professional public library experience including public library management of financial, administrative, supervisory and operational activities; and an empathy for rural life and library service in a federated context.

For further information including a complete job description and application form check the VLS Director Search website. Applications accepted until position is filled; initial applicant review will begin February 13, 2017.

February Legislative Day

Just announced: Library Legislative Day will be held Wednesday, February 22. Briefings will be offered Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. Times and locations are still being finalized. Mark your calendar now and plan to join library supporters at the Capitol.

ECRL Executive Director Search

The East Central Regional Library (ECRL) announces the upcoming vacancy and search for a new Executive Director.

The successful candidate will be the Executive Director of a 6-county consolidated public library system in east central Minnesota which operates 14 branches and outreach services. The Executive Director reports to an 18 member Board of elected officials and appointed citizens representing the six counties which are Signatories to the East Central Regional
Library Agreement.

ECRL Vacancy Announcement with information regarding minimum qualifications, key areas of focus and a description of the position.

Application form and job description available at on the ECRL website.

The candidate application and supporting materials are due by Wednesday, January 18, 2017 and should be addressed to:

East Central Regional Library
Attn: Search Committee
244 So. Birch St.
Cambridge, MN 55008

Questions? Contact Mike Warring, Board President, at 763-350-4586

SELCO Executive Director Search

Job search underway in the southeast. SELCO seeks an individual with strong leadership skills to provide direction for a diverse membership and manage SELCO staff at its headquarters in Rochester.

SELCO has created customized webpages offering information to prospective candidates and SELCO/SELS stakeholders. The candidate information includes a warm invitation with an awesome testimonial video and photo essays. Additional links provide information about the regional public and multitype system and libraries around the region, as well as an outline of the search process.

The minimum qualifications require a MLS from an ALA-accredited school. Extensive management experience. Knowledge of multitype library systems. Resumes, with cover letter, will be accepted until January 31, 2017 and interviews will start in February. For more information, contact Sue Hall at Library Strategies, a consulting group of the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library.

Hot Reads in LARL

Lake Agassiz Regional Library is thrilled to invite it’s reading public to participate in Hot Reads for Cold Nights, an annual winter reading program for adults.

The LARL program rules are simple: read or listen to four books, audiobooks, eBooks, or eAudiobooks for a chance to win prizes. The program will begin on Monday, January 2 and end Tuesday, February 28. All of LARL’s 22 locations are offering this reading opportunity. Prizes include mugs, totes, calendars and more!

LARL even offers an online resource of title suggestions to make reading choices easier. Use Next 5 Books, LARL’s recommendation program

Minitex to enhance eBook app

Library users will more easily access eBooks across multiple systems thanks to SimplyE, a free app from phones and tablets that is being further developed at Minitex.

SimplyE, developed by the New York Public Library, eliminates the need for a user to switch between multiple eBook vendor apps to access collections from a single library. Minitex developers will enhance the functionality to allow users to access eBooks from their public library, their college library, and other shared collections. The work is funded by a $695,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

ARSL successful & sends thanks

With over 500 participants representing rural and small libraries in nearly every state and Canada, the recent ARSL – Association of Rural & Small Libraries annual conference in Fargo was a success. CRPLSA provided financial support by underwriting the keynote presentation by Minnesota author and several time winner of the Minnesota Book Award, William Kent Krueger.

ARSL acknowledgement of this support

National Library Legislative Day 2017

Registration for National Library Legislative Day 2017 is now open. To find information about the event, to register, or to book a hotel room, visit ala.org/nlld.

As with previous years, National Library Legislative Day 2017 will be held at the Liaison Hotel in Washington, DC. Briefing day will take place on May 1st, and includes informational sessions about each of the most important legislation issues libraries are facing, as well as advocacy training. On May 2nd, each state delegation will go to their meetings on the Hill with their elected officials.

Registration this year is $50 and includes entry into a reception held on Capitol Hill, along with a folder full of briefing materials, talking points, and information.

To learn more about the event, check out ALA’s blog post on District Dispatch. Or contact Lisa Lindle at ALA’s Washington Office for more information.

Minnesota Loves Libraries Launched

Today marks the official launch of Minnesota Loves Libraries, a statewide, grassroots advocacy campaign set to run through January. We are looking for stories that exemplify service, community connections, and individual success. Have you had a positive interaction with a library staff member? Did you attend a program that taught you something? Maybe you were able to access information that helped you get a job or improve your work skills, or maybe a librarian guided you to the perfect book to share with your child at bedtime. Whatever it is, we’d like to hear about it!

Supported by CRPLSA, the campaign is launching statewide and will be administered by each library region individually. Library users are invited to stop by their local library to fill out a postcard or visit Minnesota Loves Libraries to use the online form. The purpose is to gather stories of how Minnesotans use the library and how it makes a difference in their lives.

Library supporters who attend Minnesota Library Legislative Day at the Capitol in March will hand deliver these messages from across the region. Legislators will receive comments from their constituents so that they get a glimpse of library services available in their district, and to provide an opportunity for them to respond directly.

Winter Reading Programs

Blustery weather and long winter nights provide the perfect excuse to snuggle down with a good book (or two, or three). The Arrowhead Library System and SELCO winter reading programs will enhance the reading enjoyment whether the reader chooses a paper copy, an audio version or an eBook.

LARL 1000 Before Kindergarten

Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL) is happy to announce the launch of 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, a program designed to foster relationship-building and brain development while preparing youth for kindergarten. Thanks to the Minnesota Department of Education through a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, LARL is committed to offering this program to the residents of the seven counties served by LARL, including Becker, Clay, Clearwater, Mahnomen, Norman, Polk, and Wilkin Counties.

This free program encourages parents and caregivers to read to youth from birth to kindergarten and beyond. Each participant will receive a book bag with information about the program, information about the benefits of reading to young children, a library card application, and reading logs for tracking books read. LARL will provide incentives and celebrations for youth and families who complete the program each year.

In effort to best serve youth of this age, and bridge the opportunity gap, LARL will be looking for partnering agencies and organizations to help spread the word about this program. We hope to use this program as a tool to establish new relationships with outside agencies and organizations who currently serve birth-K, in addition to strengthening relationships already in place. Partnering agencies currently include various ECIs, County Health Agencies, and Headstart.

Legislative Update 2016-12-02

The following information was shared via email with the library community by Sam Walseth, Capitol Hill Associates, in his role as the MLA-ITEM lobbyist.

State Budget Forecast Released

State officials released the November budget forecast for the state of Minnesota on Friday, December 2nd. The forecast estimates that the state will close its current fiscal biennium next June 30th with $678 million left on the bottom line. That figure takes into account $334 million that will be automatically transferred to the state’s budget reserve as required by law. This action will bring the state’s budget reserve to $1.9 billion, just shy of its $2 billion statutory goal.

The forecast shows a $736 million surplus for the next fiscal biennium (FY 18-19). When added to the $678 million current fiscal year projected surplus you get the “$1.4 billion surplus” figure you’re seeing in the headlines. There are two important factors here. The first is that a significant portion of the $1.4 billion surplus figure is one-time money carried forward from the current fiscal year. The second is that there’s no inflationary assumption built into the forecast. If the state applied an estimated CPI factor into the forecast, the FY 18-19 surplus shrinks to $87 million.

The ‘tails’ forecast for FY 20-21 is also important to note. Friday’s data show a $1.5 billion surplus for the tails, but again with no inflationary factor. If an inflationary factor is assumed for the tails that surplus figure disappears and could actually look like a deficit. The bottom line is that while the headline numbers look good, there’s still a lot of uncertainty about the economy moving forward. The current forecast assumes GDP growth just above 2% for the foreseeable future instead of figures north of 3% that were hoped for a year ago.

Legislative Response

The major players in St. Paul are all indicating that a special session is a definite possibility. They’re targeting December 20th as the date to come in and tackle some of the major unresolved issues from this year, including; the Tax bill, the Bonding bill and a new proposal to buy down insurance premiums for those buying health coverage through MNSure’s individual market. The Bonding bill is the most significant interest to libraries as it contains $2 million for library construction grants.

For more information on the budget forecast

Samuel P. Walseth, Capitol Hill Associates

Minnesota Loves Libraries close to launch

It’s almost here — Libraries throughout the state are nearly ready to launch the first-ever, statewide Minnesota Loves Libraries campaign! The time has come to begin gathering stories of how libraries make a difference in people’s lives so we can share those stories with our legislators during the 2017 session.

There will be two ways of collecting stories from library users — 2-sided postcards that libraries may print and cut for patrons to write on and leave at the library and an online form that can be filled out anywhere. Libraries may promote either or both methods, whatever works for a particular location.

A special Minnesota Loves Libraries website has been created for collecting comments. There is a tab on the site with resources for library staff — posters, postcards, and images for use in social media. Some of the posters contain a QR code that will enable patrons to immediately access the website on their mobile devices. Check out the website for FAQs.

A statewide press release will be issued early next week and more details will be shared then, so stay tuned.

CRPLSA thanks the hard working statewide team (Jon Tatting – ECRL, Bernadette Stevens – GRRL, Hillary Stevens – LARL, and Jennifer Harveland – SELCO) that developed the campaign. We hope it will be fun and rewarding for all who participate!

LibTech Registration Opens in 7 Days

Competition is always steep for the limited seating at the annual Library Technology Conference. Registration has been known to fill up in hours. Get set now to register on Wednesday, December 7th at 12:00 Noon (CST).

For more information or to register on 12/7

Library Legacy Summary

Ready to go to press!

Celebrating Arts & Culture: Minnesota Regional Public Library Systems Legacy Amendment Highlights

CRPLSA has produced a visually compelling written summary of public programs and activities funded by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Celebrating Arts and Culture will provide a succinct report highlighting the wide variety of Legacy programming that has occurred in libraries throughout the state.

Celebrating Arts & Culture briefly describes public art projects, live performances, literary programs, art making, and historical and cultural exploration. The Library Legacy story is told through a montage of photographs and personal quotes. The summary graphical demonstrates the breadth of programming funded with Legacy dollars and the unique ability of libraries to provide meaningful cultural events to people in all corners of the state regardless of community size.

Celebrating Arts & Culture: Minnesota Regional Public Library Systems Legacy Amendment Highlights

A CRPLSA sponsored Library Legacy activity made possible with money from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the people of Minnesota.

First Legislative Update for the 2017 Session

The following information was shared via email with the library community by Sam Walseth, Capitol Hill Associates, in his role as the MLA-ITEM lobbyist.

House and Senate GOP leadership announced committee structures and chairs today. They worked to align the committees as closely as they could between the two bodies.

Senate GOP Chairs

This morning Senate GOP leaders announced a committee structure and chairs for the upcoming 2017-18 biennium. The newly elected Senate will serve a four year term, so this structure is likely to be in place through 2020.

The E-12 work has been divided up between a Finance and Policy committee. Sen. Carla Nelson (GOP Rochester) will chair E-12 Finance and Sen. Eric Pratt (GOP Prior Lake) will chair E-12 Policy. Merging and slitting the E-12 Finance and Policy committee work has gone back and forth under both DFL and GOP leadership in the Senate.

The Capital Investment Committee will be chaired by Sen. Dave Senjem (GOP Rochester). Senate Taxes will be chaired by Sen. Roger Chamberlain (GOP Lino Lakes).

Legacy Funding goes to Sen. Carrie Ruud (GOP Breezy Point) whose committee is titled “Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance”.

House GOP Chairs

The House committee structure remains largely the same, but due to a few retirements there is some reshuffling. Education will stay the same with Rep. Sondra Erickson (GOP Princeton) at Policy and Rep. Jennifer Loon (GOP Eden Prairie) at Finance.

The more notable House changes are with Rep. Dean Urdahl (GOP Grove City) going to Capital Investment and Rep. Paul Torkelson (GOP Hanska) going to Transportation. Tax committee stays with Rep. Greg Davids (GOP Preston) and the Property Tax committee stays with Rep. Steve Drazkowski (GOP Mazeppa).

Rep. Bob Gunther (GOP Fairmont) will chair the Legacy committee.

Link to the House Chairs

KRLS & MELSA make it an even dozen!

With board action by the Kitchigami Regional Library System (KRLS) and MELSA trustees, the library community has unanimous support by 12 regions for a 2017 legislative initiative to change the Regional Library Basic System Support (RLBSS) formula.

This new initiative will request a $3 million per year increase in the annual RLBSS appropriation, well as a change to the current formula. The formula change will reduce the Equalization factor from 25% to 15% and increase the Basic System Services factor from 5% to 15%. The formula changes reflect increased costs in basic operation and use of public library service and lessens the volatility of the formula associated with Adjust Net Tax Capacity (ANTC). In addition, the proposal requests that the formula be based on the population and tax capacity figures as reported by the Minnesota State Departments of Demography and Revenue respectively by January 1 of the year in which the grants are awarded. This will enable regional libraries to prepare budgets based on accurate calculations rather than estimates.

Proposal to amend current statutory language tied to a funding increase

Children Play & Learn in ECRL

Children hardly needed a tutorial in how to interact with the new Play and Learn space during an open house November 2, 2016, at North Branch Area Library of East Central Regional Library (ECRL). Parents and their little ones learned as they played with the Duplo table and sets, a wall mounted submarine, a sky pilot and safety road activity and more. Funds for the space were made possible by an anonymous donor. Refreshments during the open house were served by the Friends of the North Branch Area Library.

MILE 2017

Participate in The Minnesota Library Association (MLA) Institute for Leadership Excellence (MILE) 2017 — Leading for Life!

Are you currently in a leadership position?
Do you want to work towards entering a leadership position or role?
Do you find yourself providing leadership even though your official position might not be in leadership?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, MILE is for you! MILE is looking for applicants for the 2017 cohort and mentors. During the May 2-5, 2017 conference emerging library leaders from across the state learn about leadership.

More information, and applications for participants and mentors can be found on the MILE website.

Applications are due December 1, 2016. Don’t miss out on a great opportunity!

New TdSLC Director Announced

On Thursday, November 17, the Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative (TdSLC) Board of Directors formally endorsed the hiring of a new Executive Director. The new Executive Director will be Ms. Ann Hokanson, currently the Director of the Austin, Minnesota, Public Library. She has a B.A degree (History and International Relations) and a Master’s degree in Library Science, both from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Ms. Hokanson brings with her a wide range of experience working with libraries. She has been the Director in Austin for the past thirteen years. Prior to that, she was the Director of the Prescott, Wisconsin, Public Library. She also has experience working as an archivist for the Wisconsin Historical Society and served with the Peace Corps. During her years in the Peace Corps, she worked as a volunteer and trainer for the Trnava District Library, Trnava, Slovakia.

The hiring of Ms. Hokanson completes a long and difficult process for the Board, which is extremely pleased that she has accepted its offer. She will start work in the Mankato office on the first of January. The Board is comprised of one appointee from each of the area’s nine counties, plus a representative from public, school, and academic library staff.

Libraries Respond

The ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services has created Libraries Respond as a space for us to help keep current events in conversation with libraries’ ongoing work in and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This page will be a resource for the library community to share information, find resources, and connect as they serve their communities. Join the Conversation!

#librariesrespond on Twitter

#librariesrespond on Facebook

VLS Endorses RLBSS Formula Change

On November 15, 2016, the Viking Library System Board approved a resolution supporting a change in the formula by which Regional Library Basic System Support (RLBSS) is calculated and the state aid is distributed to the 12 regions. The resolution also included the Board’s support for a funding request. The last increase in RLBSS was approved by the Legislature in 2009.

Summer Reading Resource Fair POSTPONED

Due to anticipated heavy snow and possible blizzard-like conditions, the GRRL staff will postpone the Summer Reading Resource Fair. The Fair was planned for this Friday, November 18.

The RESCHEDULED Summer Reading Program Resource Fair will be held on Friday, December 9 at the St. Cloud Public Library. Contact your regional library office for more information about this statewide event.

Lake Superior Libraries Unsymposium

Sometimes you need a break from the average conference. You need an UNCONFERENCE!

Registration is now open for the 5th Annual Lake Superior Libraries Mid-Winter Unsymposium at UW-Superior’s Jim Dan Hill Library! Join us on January 6, 2017 for an afternoon of networking, discussion, and collaborative problem-solving!

At the LSLS Unsymposium, you determine the conversation. Participants brainstorm a host of topics, which are then selected in a bottom-up, democratic manner. Rather than listening to a single speaker, you get to ask questions, interact, and offer your own expertise on a topic chosen by the whole group. So…everyone wants to talk about succession planning? Done. You’re the only one who wants to talk about bathroom lighting? Too bad! Together, we’ll discover our common challenges and develop solutions together. You’ll come away from the Unsymposium invigorated by lively discussions and ready to take that excitement back to your library.

The Unsymposium is free and open to everyone. Register today! (Note – Registration will be capped at 60 participants. Register early and be part of the special group.)

WHEN: Friday, January 6, 2017, 1:00-4:30 pm
COST: Just your time!
WHERE: Jim Dan Hill Library, University of Wisconsin Superior
HOW DO I REGISTER?: Just complete this form
QUESTIONS? Contact us!

Misselt to Retire

After nine years at the helm of East Central Regional Library (ECRL), Barbara Misselt will retire April 1, 2017. In a letter accepted by the ECRL Board, she wrote:

Thank you for the opportunity to lead this organization in providing library service to the region for the past 9 years. I appreciate the support and positive commitment of the Board as well as our partner counties.

I believe that ECRL is in a good position to continue positive growth with a competent leadership team and staff. I have enjoyed the relationship with staff and board team and found this a fulfilling career.

CRPLSA at AMC

CRPLSA will once again participate at the Association of Minnesota Counties annual conference, December 5-6, 2016. System Directors will staff a booth in the exhibit area and share information about libraries serving Minnesota’s 87 counties.

Winter Bees Wins an Emmy!

Congratulations on the Emmy win for Winter Bees: And Other Poems of the Cold about the making of a Minnesota Book Award-winning children’s book. This Beyond the Book television special was a production by TPT in partnership with The Friends of the St. Paul Public Library and CRPLSA.

SELCO approves formula change initiative

The SELCO Board of Directors unanimously supports the resolution to seek a formula change and an increase in the annual appropriation of Regional Library Basic System Support (RLBSS). The proposed formula change will reduce the Equalization factor of the formula from 25% to 15% and increase the Basic System Services factor from 5% to 15%. This will will minimize volatility and stabilize the flow of state financial support.

Proposal to amend the current RLBSS formula tied to a funding increase

SELCO’s approval of the proposed legislative initiative, brings the tally of regional votes to nine of 12, with a goal of unanimous endorsement for future support by the Minnesota Library Association.

St. Cloud Library Reopening

The headquarters of the Great River Regional Library (GRRL) – the St. Cloud Public Library will offer limited services beginning Monday, October 24 as cleaning and restoration work in the St. Cloud Public Library continues. The closing and cleanup work was a result of an arson incident which took place on August 17. The fire caused structural damage and spread smoke and soot particles throughout the building.

1-minute photo montage of library restoration work

St. Cloud Public Library Revival (1-minute video essay)

Library staff, city officials and seven different cleaning and restoration contractors have worked diligently to make sure the St. Cloud Public Library is back to pre-fire condition and a safe environment for patrons and staff. The damages totaled nearly $1 million dollars. Most of the cleaning has been completed. Final structural repairs will begin this week on a window, window frame, and granite cladding on a structural pillar.

“It has been a huge undertaking! The library building is 115,000 square feet with more than 250,000 items. We know it’s taking a long time but we want to make certain we are being thorough and complete to ensure the building is safe for our entire community.” said Karen Pundsack, GRRL Executive Director.

Services available next week will be holds pick-up, fine payment and pick up of Summer Reading Program prizes during regular hours. Existing meeting room reservations will be honored. However, no new reservations will be taken at this time. Access to the collection and computers will be available at a later date. For more information about library programs, contact the St. Cloud Public Library at 320-650-2500.

Formula change support grows!

Recent action at mid-month board meetings on October 20 moved forward the possibility of a 2017 legislative initiative to change the Regional Library Basic System Support (RLBSS) formula. The most recent approvals were from:

Lake Agassiz Regional Library
Northwest Regional Library
Pioneerland Library System
Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative

Proposal to amend the current RLBSS formula tied to a funding increase

GRRL & PCLS Support Formula Change

The regional library boards governing Great River Regional Library (GRRL) and Plum Creek Library System (PCLS) approved supporting resolutions to seek a statutory formula change tied with an increase in the annual Regional Library Basic System Support appropriation. The formula change will reduce the Equalization factor of the formula from 25% to 15% and increase the Basic System Services factor from 5% to 15%. This will will minimize volatility and stabilize the flow of state financial support.

Proposal to amend the current RLBSS formula tied to a funding increase

With the GRRL endorsement on October 18 and PCLS action on October 19, the tally of regional resolutions increases to four following action by ECRL and ALS. Additional regional meetings are scheduled within the next few weeks.

GRRL Board Members have committed to working actively at the Capitol during the upcoming 2017 legislative session and the county commissioners on the PCLS Board will be working through the Association of Minnesota Counties for complimentary support.