by Zach Miller
Quick Summary
As a part of its advocacy for libraries during Minnesota's 2025 legislative session, the Minnesota Library Association circulated the resolution for consideration by library boards and other decision-making organizations.
As of this writing, seventeen Minnesota organizations have passed a resolution in support of Minitex services:
- Arrowhead Library System Governing Board (PDF)
- Benton County Board of Commissioners (PDF)
- Board of Wright County Commissioners (PDF)
- Buckham Memorial Library Advisory Board (PDF)
- East Central Regional Library Board of Directors (PDF)
- Faribault County Board of Commissioners (PDF)
- Great River Regional Library Board of Trustees (PDF)
- Houston Public Library Board (PDF)
- Kitchigami Regional Library Board (PDF)
- Lake Agassiz Regional Library Board (PDF)
- New York Mills Public Library Board (PDF)
- Pioneerland Library System (PDF)
- Rochester Public Library Board (PDF)
- Southeastern Libraries Cooperating & Southeast Library System Board of Directors (PDF)
- St. Charles Public Library Board (PDF)
- Traverse des Sioux Library System Board (PDF)
- Viking Library System Governing Board (PDF)
Resolution Text
Whereas, Minitex provides invaluable library services that enhance access to a vast collection of resources for patrons and libraries across Minnesota;
Whereas, Minitex facilitates access to a collection of more than 10 million resources from Minnesota's public, academic, and special libraries, available to patrons and libraries in every corner of the state via MNLINK.org;
Whereas, Minitex supports eLibrary Minnesota, a collection of education and research online resources essential to the success of Minnesota learners from grade school through graduate school, which was searched 55 million times last year;
Whereas, Minitex contributes to the digitization of historical content from Minnesota's cultural heritage organizations, with the Minnesota Digital Library containing 60,000 items that depict history from all 87 Minnesota counties and are sourced from the collections of 204 historical societies, libraries, archives, and cultural organizations from across the state;
Whereas, Minitex supports Minnesota's statewide ebook collection, eBooksMN.org, which offers nearly 10,000 books to readers of all ages with no need for checkouts or returns, and allows most Minnesota K-12 schools to add all 10,000 books to their local collections;
Whereas, Minitex supports library staff with continuing education to collectively meet the educational needs of Minnesota residents at every stage of life;
Therefore, be it resolved, that this library board fully supports Minitex library services and recognizes the critical role they play in providing equitable access to information, fostering educational success, and preserving Minnesota's rich cultural heritage.
Be it further resolved, that this library board commits to advocating for continued funding and support for Minitex library services to ensure these vital resources remain available to all Minnesotans.
