Blog
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!)