by Zach Miller
Quick Summary
The Minitex Policy Advisory Council advises the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and Minitex in the planning, development, and evaluation of Minitex programs and services. The council has four new members in 2023, including Will Richter, who represents Greater Minnesota Public Libraries.
Will Richter is the Director of Library Services at Grand Rapids Area Library and represents Greater Minnesota Public Libraries on the Policy Advisory Council. Representatives serve three-year terms. Depending upon whom they represent, they are either elected by their constituency or selected by the Minnesota Department of Education's State Library Services division.
1. What got you interested in library work?
I’m an accidental librarian who stuck around because I work with great people.
2. What do you like about your current organization and the community where it's based?
I enjoy living the up-north lifestyle and being in a community the size of Grand Rapids allows me to stretch the job description of Director of Library Services to include being a firefighter.
3. How do you hope to be a voice for Greater Minnesota Public Libraries on the Policy Advisory Council?
Outstate libraries face many challenges – especially financially – to providing high-quality service. Minitex is a great partner who gets that and is interested in working with everyone to extend service to all users.
