Statement of Purpose
The mission of Minitex, a joint powers partnership between the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and the University of Minnesota, is to strengthen libraries, cultural institutions, and the communities they serve. Minitex executes its mission through collaboration, resource sharing, professional development and advocacy for effective learning policy and community development.
The Minitex Policy Advisory Council advises the Minitex Director and the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) in long term strategy planning, development, accountability, and oversight of Minitex services.
The Policy Advisory Council members share information and coordinate initiatives supporting the lifelong learning needs of the community. Members engage in this work by:
- advising OHE and the Minitex Director on the development of policy, services, and performance of Minitex.
- communicating the needs and interests of constituent libraries and communities, promoting shared ideas and best practices.
- charge Minitex committees and task forces, recommend membership (current list)
- discussing and exploring emerging and critical issues in the library environment.
- providing research, resources, shared expertise, and professional development opportunities that benefit the library staff in the Minitex region.
- advocating initiatives that advance library services and education policy.
Membership & Operations
Council Member Responsibilities
- Actively participate in all scheduled meetings and discussions.
- Provide expertise to the Council based on their experience in their position, background, and skills.
- Represent constituencies and act in the best interests of that organization or group.
- Vote on Council decisions. All Council members including ex officio board members have the right to vote on board decisions.
- Actively communicate with constituent networks.
- May provide regular reports to the Council on the activities and progress of their constituents.
- Help Minitex achieve its mission by engaging in one or more of the following:
- Serve on a planning committee.
- Produce a white paper on an issue.
- Coordinate professional learning opportunities.
- Participate in collaborative projects.
- Advocate on behalf of Minitex programs and services.
Appointment
Minitex Policy Advisory Council members are appointed by the Commissioner of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education upon nomination by the directors, or their designee, of the libraries in each constituency group except in the case of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus. The University Librarian designates the representative of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus Libraries.
The State Librarians of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota and the Minnesota State Associate Vice Chancellor for Educational Development and Technology notify the Minitex Director and the Minnesota Office of Higher Education about their chosen representatives.
Constituency Groups
The constituency groups represented on the Minitex Policy Advisory Council are:
- Greater Minnesota Public Libraries
- Central and Northern State College Libraries
- Metro Area Member Libraries
- Private Academic Libraries
- Regional Public System Libraries
- State Government Libraries
- Multi-type Library Systems
- Minnesota State University Libraries
- Twin Cities and Southern State Colleges
- Tribal College & Community Libraries
- University of Minnesota System Campus Libraries
- University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus Libraries
- K-12 School Libraries
- North Dakota Libraries
- South Dakota Libraries
Terms of Service
Minitex Policy Advisory Council appointments are for three years. Terms of office being at the start of the fiscal year. One-third of the terms expire at the end of each fiscal year (June 30).
Ex Officio Members
Ex officio members include:
- Minnesota State: Associate Vice Chancellor for Educational Development and Technology, or their designee,
- State of Minnesota: Director of State Library Services (a division of the Minnesota Department of Education designated as the Minnesota state library agency), or their designee,
- State of North Dakota: State Librarian or their designee,
- State of South Dakota: State Librarian or their designee, and South Dakota Board of Regents representative.
Relationship to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education
The OHE staff, with the assistance of the Minitex office, is responsible for:
- Appointment of Council membership.
- Provide fiscal oversight for Minitex services.
- Reviewing and offering feedback on Council meeting dates and agendas.
- Reviewing and offering feedback on Council deliberations and recommended actions.
- Sharing information on OHE programs and services.
Relationship to the Minitex Office
The Minitex Director and staff are responsible for:
- Working with the Council and OHE to establish meeting dates,
- Drafting the agenda for the Council and sharing it with OHE for review before distribution,
- Recording the deliberations and actions of the Council and sharing them with OHE for review before distribution,
- Providing reports and information to the Council to inform them of various Minitex activities and to form the basis for any policy recommendations to OHE.
Council Organization
The Council meets a minimum of four times per year. All meetings shall be open to the public. Should a Council member miss more than two consecutive meetings, that position may be declared vacant by the Council.
Elections
The Council may select a chairperson and vice chairperson. The election of officers shall be held at the first meeting of the Policy Advisory Council each year. The officers shall be elected for one (1) year, and no officer shall serve more than two (2) consecutive full terms in one office. A term of six (6) months or more shall be considered a full term. The term of office begins with the first Board meeting after the start of the fiscal year.
Voting
Each Council member has one vote. Ex officio board members have the right to vote on board decisions.
Separate from regular Council meetings, a vote by mail, electronic media, or telephone may be taken at the discretion of the Chair.
Compensation
Council members shall not receive salary or other compensation for services; however, travel and meeting expenses incurred by Council members related to Council business may be reimbursed by Minitex.
Revised September 2005; updated September 2010; updated September 2019; updated June 2024.
