A look back on our most-read articles for 2025

Is there something you'd like to see more of, or less? Please send us your feedback on how the Minitex Messenger can improve in 2026. Thank you!

10. MN Writes MN Reads brand to be retired
The MN Writes MN Reads brand, a statewide program jointly operated by CRPLSA and Minitex that invited writers and readers to "Create, Share, and Read," was retired in March 2025. However, the retirement of the brand did not correlate to the demise of its component services, which remain in the form of our statewide Pressbooks subscription and BiblioBoard’s "Indie Minnesota" and "Indie Author Project Select" collections.

9. As one MLAC era ends, another begins anew
Our Minnesota Library Access Center (MLAC) staff, along with their colleagues at the University Libraries, managed an effort to move MLAC's full collection to a new Offsite Collections Facility. The collection's 1.5 million items were unavailable during the move, but the ability to request materials resumed later in the year.

8. 29 Minnesota organizations pass resolution supporting Minitex library services
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. One more organization joined the cause after the publication of this article, bringing the total number up to an even 30.

7. Registration open for 2025 Minitex Technical Services Symposium
We hosted the Minitex Technical Services Symposium on November 3 at the Minnesota History Center in Saint Paul. The interest in this registration opening announcement translated directly into over 100 attendees for this in-person event that included two plenary panels, several breakout sessions, an introductory cataloging training track for new-to-cataloging staff, and more.

6. Minitex retires Contract Cataloging Program
After nearly three decades of service to libraries across the region, we officially retired our Contract Cataloging Program in 2025. The long-standing service assisted libraries in expanding access to unique resources by providing useful, timely, and cost-effective cataloging.

5. New on the Minitex website: IMLS Information
We published a new webpage with the goal of sharing information related to funding for libraries by the U.S. Institute of Library and Information Services. Read on to number 3 below for further context as to why this has been and continues to be so important.

4. Minnesota's Reciprocal Borrowing Compact extends library privileges statewide
Nearly every public library in Minnesota is a member of the Minnesota Library Reciprocal Borrowing Compact, which allows all Minnesotans with a public library card to borrow materials from any member library. Based on the number of pageviews this article received, it was clearly welcome news to many of you.

3. Federal funding for Minitex services
As federal funding from the Library Services and Technology Act, provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, was threatened in early 2025, we reminded you of the ways in which that funding enables Minitex to collaborate with Minnesota’s entire library community.

2. New Series: Engaging with critical cataloging past and present
We announced a new webinar series that explored Library of Congress Subject Headings from the perspective of catalogers engaged in that work. Your interest in learning more about radical and critical cataloging work happening in Minnesota made this the 2nd most read article of the year.

1. Should you read Huck Finn before reading James?
James, by Percival Everett, was consistently ranked one of the best books of 2024, and was based on the character of Jim in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. We let you know that anyone who wanted to enhance the experience of Everett’s novel could read Huck Finn for free via Ebooks Minnesota, a fact that resonated to the tune of more than 1,600 pageviews.