MN Knows!

Take a moment to look at the new information portal available that showcases the  statewide information services that fall under the Minitex umbrella.

MnKnows – Dig Deeper @Your Library : the new portal gives Minnesota’s citizens one-stop access to five statewide library services:

MnLink Gateway
The Electronic Library for Minnesota
Minnesota Digital Library “Reflections” project
AskMN
Research Project Calculator

Take a moment to check it out, to book mark it, add it to your website, and share it with your patrons. Wonderful bookmarks have been distributed, but if you didn’t get any and would like some, let the NLLN office know or contact Minitex directly.

Libraries and the Recovery Funds

The massive American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)  — also known as the stimulus funds — will bring hundreds of million dollars to Minnesota. How do libraries stand to benefit? There are numerous places in this act that include libraries but whether or not libraries will be included depends on our ability to dig in and do the work required. We have to be at the table when proposals are made and when policy discussions are taking place.

One of the best places to start is the ALA overview of ARRA and Libraries found at http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/wo/woissues/washfunding/fedfund/arra101.cfm . Another place is to look at our state’s plan to handle the funds which is found in the office of Management and Budget. http://www.mmb.state.mn.us/recovery and to get details on the actual funds coming to Minnesota and how allocated go to: http://www.mmb.state.mn.us/doc/citizen/summary.pdf.

There is a lot of money. How it will be used is detailed and complicated. If it is to be used for libraries, it will be necessary for us to pay attention at all levels, to work with others, and to share our plans.