Every public library in Minnesota benefits from State funds earmarked for interlibrary loan service (ILL), online database access, and special programming. These are just three of a dozen ways in which state dollars impact local library service.

It’s not too late to form a New Years Resolution for 2026. We’re quite biased, of course, but would argue that redoubling our commitment to Friends of the Library work is a particularly worthy goal! If you’re interested in taking up that challenge and “leveling up” your library knowledge and Friends skills, look no further than the suite of e-resources available to all Minnesotans via United for Libraries.

Practically everyone in Minnesota is familiar with Give to the Max Day (#GTMD), the state’s unofficial giving holiday each November. However, MALF sometimes hears from Friends of the Library that the Big Day “snuck up on them,” or that they are dubious that fundraising efforts would show a significant return for their nonprofit.

Close readers of William Kent Krueger’s novels may remember the character “Lynn Belgea” from Northwest Angle (2011). She is based on a real-life Friend of the Library of the same name. Lynn Belgea has been an integral part of the Ramsey County Library Friends since joining the board in 2008.

TOMORROW is the cutoff to apply for United’s second annual Grants to U.S. Rural and Small Libraries program. (In its inaugural year, sponsor Penguin Random House awarded monetary grants and in-kind gifts worth $25,000!)

What’s up for the Minnesota Association of Library Friends in the New Year? In part, that’s up to you! MALF’s educational programming is always geared towards fellow Friends of the Library and this audience’s unique needs. In many cases, our webinar and workshop topics draw directly from feedback and ideas supplied by MALF’s member base.

United for Libraries (the Friends and trustees arm of the American Library Association) is partnering with Penguin Random House for a second year of Grants to U.S. Rural and Small Libraries. (In its inaugural year, the partners awarded monetary grants and in-kind gifts worth $25,000!)

ICYMI: Last month, MALF presented our annual "Warm Reads For Cold Nights: Minnesota Authors Recommend" webinar. If you missed the live event but still need help with your holiday gift list (or want recommendations for your own holiday break reading list), the archived program is available for replay here.

As the year draws to a close, MALF must bid a fond farewell to a leader. Sheila DeChantal of Brainerd is rotating off after 3 years on our board of directors. DeChantal’s name is one well known to Friends across Minnesota due to her talent for launching groundbreaking Friends programs that are successful, sustainable, and scalable.

Barb Brylinke leads book sales for the Friends of the Heritage Library in Lakeville. According to her colleagues, Barb understands that the most important words at a sale are not those found in the books available to shoppers – they are those used in the promotional materials and wayfinding signage needed to make residents aware of and excited for the opportunity.

Congratulations to Friends of the Moorhead Public Library, winners of the 2025 Evy Nordley Award for ‘Best Project by Friends of the Library.’ They won top prize earlier this month for Bookmarked! A Celebration of the Arts. Bookmarked! was a fundraiser – but also so much more. It evolved from separate, Friends-led conversations with Zoltar (a tattoo parlor) and Swing Barrel (a craft brew staple in downtown Moorhead).

Thanks to the many Friends who joined MALF last weekend for Saturday Splash 2025. We matched that tremendous turnout with an equally tremendous slate of speakers. Missed out? You can now replay the full morning of programming on our YouTube channel...