Did you know? Library staff, trustees, and Friends of the Library across Minnesota enjoy free access to a host of online resources and (always timely) live virtual programming through United for Libraries. State Library Services, a division of the Minnesota Dept. of Education, recently purchased statewide access to this portfolio of assets maintained by the arm of the American Library Association most closely aligned to Friends of the Library work. Upcoming opportunities include:

Moorhead will soon be home to Minnesota’s newest library. While still under construction, this 48,000-square-foot architectural gem is already a prominent, permanent fixture in the downtown district. In April, supporters had the unique opportunity to support this generational project by getting something “prominent and permanent” of their own: a library-inspired tattoo!

One Book | One Minnesota is back for Fall 2025. This statewide book club, coordinated through The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library in that organization’s capacity as the Library of Congress- designated Minnesota Center for the Book, invites Minnesotans from all backgrounds to read a common title and come together virtually to reflect and discuss.

"The Great North Star Read Together" will take place in 15+ library locations spanning all across our great state, from Crookston to Luverne, Duluth to Red Wing. The premise is delightfully simple. Simply show up between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. with a good book (or find one there at the library, of course), and read in companiable silence with other library lovers like yourself.

The Minnesota Book Awards is currently seeking reader-judges for the program’s 38th year (2025-26). Each year, more than 50 judges are involved in this evaluation process. Panels are comprised of Minnesotans from many walks of life who have interest in and aptitude for critical appraisal. Judges commonly include authors, editors, educators – and yes, librarians and Friends.

The fall conference of the Minnesota Library Association is fast approaching (October 9-10), and with it comes the Minnesota Library Foundation’s annual silent auction. Money fundraised helps MLF to underwrite valued programs like the Minnesota Institute for Leadership Excellence (MILE) and annual Minnesota Author Project contest.

ICYMI: MALF member organizations have until Friday, July 25 to submit one of their own for the 2025 cohort of Standout Friends in Minnesota. Click here for full details, including eligibility requirements and the application form. Recipient perks include a gift package with a thematic tie to MALF’s fall programming; a matted and frameable certificate; commendation letter to the mayor and county commissioner in each recipient’s hometown; and a written featurette in an upcoming MALF e-newsletter. 

Labor Day is already fast approaching, and with fall comes the traditional “busy season” for Friends book sales and marquee programs! If your group is holding a fundraiser or other special event, MALF wants to hear about it. We maintain a statewide, crowdsourced Friends calendar for just this purpose.

MALF is excited to announce the return of our popular Friends of the Library "mini-conference" for 2025. Save the date for Saturday, October 11, when MALF will convene Friends from across Minnesota online for our fifth annual SATURDAY SPLASH (10:00 a.m. – approx. 12:00 p.m.).

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.

While Friends, staff and trustees all advance their library's overarching mission, each does so from their own "lane." MALF’s next webinar will overview those lanes, as well as best practices to help ensure a healthy and sustainable working relationship. Please join us over the lunch hour (12-1 p.m. Central) on Wednesday, July 23 for Different Roles, Shared Goals.