by Zach Miller
Quick Summary
Minnesota North College is one of Hibbing's linchpin institutions, and it is led by Hibbing native Rachel Milani.
In the heart of Minnesota's Iron Range, the library at Minnesota North College's Hibbing campus serves as a vital resource hub for students and faculty. Led by Hibbing native Rachel Milani, the library plays a pivotal role in the academic lives of the students that will become the region's future leaders.
The library's current location is a direct result of the dedication and resourcefulness of its staff. In 2018, they managed to relocate the entire collection in just three days. This new, centralized space has since become a popular destination for students seeking knowledge and a place to connect with their peers.
Minnesota North College Hibbing started as Hibbing Junior College in 1916, and only recently evolved to become Minnesota North College through a merger with several other nearby institutions. Their merger presented a challenge for Milani, as she and her library colleagues at partner institutions had to integrate multiple library systems into one. Despite initial hurdles, the library provides seamless access to resources for all Minnesota North students.
Milani's journey to librarianship was anything but straightforward. Initially aspiring to be a community college professor like her father (a long time faculty member at Minnesota North), she found herself drawn to the familiar comfort of libraries after a brief stint teaching middle school. "I realized my entire life leading up to that point had been working at libraries," she recalls. This realization led her to pursue a Master's in Library and Information Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After working in various library roles there, she returned to her hometown to join the staff at Hibbing Community College, eventually becoming the library's technical support lead.
Milani's dedication to student success is evident in every aspect of her work. She plays a crucial role in supporting the college's Z degree initiative, which enables students to complete their entire degree program without the need to purchase a single textbook. She also enjoys helping nursing students navigate the complexities of research, guiding them through resources like the CINAHL Complete database recently purchased for statewide access by Minitex. "Nursing students have the most criteria to meet when it comes to research," Milani explains. "They have so much homework. I do a lot of in-person training with them, and it feels great when I see them working independently later, doing it on their own."
The library's impact extends far beyond its collection of books and research materials. It is a central hub for community events, student activities, and even the occasional active shooter drill. Milani herself volunteered as a "victim" in one such drill, showcasing the library's commitment to campus safety, and her own acting chops.
The library also serves as a welcoming space for Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) students, who make up a significant portion of the college's population. Milani understands the unique challenges these students face and tries to create a welcoming environment where they can feel comfortable asking for help and building their research skills as they take their first steps into an academic environment that can be intimidating.
As Milani prepares to take on a new role as a faculty librarian, she is excited about the library's future. With her passion for Minnesota North, commitment to its students, and Hibbing roots, she is poised to build upon the library's many recent successes. Under Milani's leadership, the library at Minnesota North College serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Iron Range.
