Every public library in Minnesota benefits from state funds earmarked for interlibrary loan service (ILL), online database access, and special programming featuring authors and educators. These are just three of a dozen ways in which state dollars impact local library service. Crucial services like these are easy to take for granted, but we do so at our own peril.

Last year, Michelle Saffel concluded a long tenure as office manager at Lake Community Church in Alexandria. However, as is so often the case with exemplary volunteers, “retirement” would be a bit of a misnomer. Between beloved hobbies (quilting, pickleball and gardening) she remains as active in library and community causes as ever – and in fact, probably more so.

Libraries are institutions, but they are made great by individuals. In that spirit, United for Libraries (the Friends and trustees arm of the American Library Association) has opened a call for two special prizes intended to spotlight individuals who have truly gone above and beyond in service to their libraries.

What are you doing with this traditionally slow week between Christmas and New Year’s Day? We’d wager that you’re spending at least a part of that time cozying up with a good book. If your “TBR” pile is getting a little low, check out a replay of MALF’s last webinar of the year. Warm Reads For Cold Nights: Year 3 debuted earlier this month.

ICYMI: As part of National Friends of Libraries Week 2204, United for Libraries announced two new, nationwide grant opportunities made available through financial support from publisher Penguin Random House. Both are tailored specifically to Friends and open to groups serving communities classified as both small and rural. One is a financial grant (up to $1,000) for Friends who can demonstrate “high need” and lay out an actionable game plan for how the Friends could use this seed money to address that need.