Quick Summary
Last Monday, the Minnesota Library Association hosted its Big Issues Summit. Here are three takeaways.
Minnesota libraries face a slew of obstacles year after year. The Minnesota Library Associationā€™s Big Issues Summit invited library professionals from across the field, ranging from public to academic to school, to engage in discourse and inform future action and legislative efforts. Here are three takeaways.
Libraries need librarians
Seems pretty obvious, right? While that may be, this is something libraries of all shapes and sizes have struggled with for years. Whether itā€™s budget cuts, limited advancement, or licensure requirements, this is something that many agreed should be addressed in order for libraries to continue being able to provide the best service to their communities.
Advocacy and legislation are at the forefront
Libraries are almost always a net-positive for the communities they serve. Libraries know that, patrons know that, but there are many in the field who expressed the need to find a way to communicate that to people who might not be so keen. With IMLS funding having faced potential cuts at the beginning of the year, libraries want to find ways to engage stakeholders beyond patrons, especially those with a hand in legislation. A major talking point included guidance on data-driven and narrative-based storytelling to advocate for libraries as a whole, as well as a much more connected network across the state.
Professional development at all levels
Library professionals at all levels expressed the desire for more professional development opportunities. This ranges from cataloging to metadata, to service workshops and management. There was also a call for training on understanding Minnesota's vast library ecosystem to better support each other. This can lead to advancement and more opportunities to expand a libraryā€™s capabilities, especially for those with limited space or staff.
These are just a few takeaways from the many engaging and meaningful conversations that took place. Did we miss one? Feel free to submit your own takeaway, and we will feature it in a future article by filling out this form. Responses will be anonymous.