As a support organization for the whole of Minnesota, MALF is privileged to regularly hear stories about volunteers across the state who go above and beyond in service to their local Friends of the Library. Most of these “Standout Friends” remain unsung heroes. In 2016, we created the Stand Up for Standout Friends program as a chance to spotlight and celebrate volunteers who go above and beyond...

MALF invites you to put your name forward for our own Board of Directors. Our all-volunteer Board hail from all around the state and represent many walks of life. Without them, our programming, grant work, and advocacy efforts would not be possible.

Lynne Young’s commitment to Northfield Public Library is unmatched – and unlikely ever to be so. In total, she helmed the well-reputed Rice County library as its director for more than 27 years. Over this period of growth for the community (and marked development in library service), Young oversaw several watershed achievements. These include the establishment of bookmobile service, kickstarting a campaign to reinvest and expand NPL’s historic building, and creation of a Foundation to augment and amplify the hard work of the local Friends of the Library.

Is your Friends group hungry to “level up” its fundraising, but unsure where to start (or how to bankroll this kind of investment in your organization)? GiveMN is currently accepting applicants for the 2025 cohort of its popular annual RaiseMN Campaign Institute.  

Friends of the Kasson Public Library - Linda Head In 2016, the City of Kasson finished construction on a new public library – a cutting-edge facility that undoubtedly makes Kasson Public Library one of the most unique in the Midwest. Built as a…

Each month, the CentraCare Birth Center in Monticello welcomes between 20 and 30 newborns. Thanks to Books for Babies, an outreach program from the Friends of the Monticello Library, every parent leaves with a generous gift of free books to start their newest addition on their early literacy journey. Two-time board member Jeanette Kallevig has stewarded this Friends program since 2021.

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.

October 20-26 26 marks National Friends of Libraries Week 2024. This annual celebration (est. 2005) is coordinated through United for Libraries, the library Friends and trustees arm of the national American Library Association. BIG NEWS: MALF is pleased to share that the Governor’s Office has also - for the first time - officially designated October 20-26 as Friends of Libraries Week in Minnesota!

Did you know that United for Libraries hosts an annual celebration of library supporters? It’s called National Friends of Libraries Week – and conveniently for those of us in Minnesota, it falls every October. It’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate and fundraise before November ushers in the year’s busiest, most crowded time for fundraising.

Twin Cities Teen Lit Con, the state’s premier author expo devoted wholly to YA literature, is right around the corner! Teenagers and the young at heart are all invited to Two Rivers High School in Mendota Heights for the big event on Saturday, April 29 (10 a.m. – 3p.m.). Organizers are currently looking for teachers, Friends of the Library, and other adult volunteers to help make the event run smoothly.