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.