Statewide Database Selection 2019-2020

Our statewide database selection process is underway! We’re looking forward to the upcoming year, and wanted to provide some information on what to expect.

Background

Minitex works with libraries of all types in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota on selecting, negotiating, and managing statewide database collections within the three states. In Minnesota, that collection is called eLibrary Minnesota or ELM.

Our current contracts began on July 1, 2014 and will end in June of 2020. Over the next year, Minitex will review the current collections and work with the library community to select resources that will be available statewide starting on July 1, 2020.

Shared E-Resources Task Force

We have embarked upon this work by appointing members to the Shared E-Resources Task Force. This group represents libraries of all types from across our region, and advises Minitex on our statewide databases. This year, we opened up new spots on the group to applications from the Minnesota community, and were thrilled with the number of responses we received. We had many more applications than the limited number of openings to fill. Thank you to all who applied and volunteered to support this work.

Library Community Input 

Our statewide databases are a shared resource and we want your input. An early opportunity is to complete the Minitex database assessment survey. We’d like feedback from library staff in the region on the current collection as well as needs not met by that collection.  Please complete the survey by October 18th.

More Information 

For a project timeline, more detail on the process,and more information on feedback opportunities (including fall-time conferences), see the Statewide Database Selection 2019-2020 page on the Minitex website. And to stay informed on the process, subscribe to Reference, Outreach, & Instruction emails from Minitex News.