by Matt Lee
Quick Summary
The current eLibrary Minnesota contracts run through June 2026, and we'd like your feedback to help us kick off our next selection process.
eLibrary Minnesota (ELM) is the branding we use in Minnesota for the Minitex statewide database collection shared by Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The current contracts for the existing collection run through June 30, 2026, and we are getting the review and selection process underway now, to determine what will be in the next collection. Library and school staff members are invited to share their feedback on ELM via this Community Input Survey. Below are key details about the upcoming selection process, including ways for you to be involved.
Library Community Input
The ELM databases are a shared resource within our community, and community input is very important to our content selection. Minitex will ask for your feedback in various ways throughout the next year. Opportunities will include discussion sessions at conferences and other in-person events, volunteering for the Shared E-Resources (SER) Task Force, and providing input via survey and possible focus groups. Our request today is that you complete the ELM Community Input Survey. Please let us know what you think of the current collection, as well as needs not met by that collection. Please complete the survey by May 9.
Shared E-Resources Task Force
The Shared E-Resources (SER) Task Force advises Minitex on selecting and managing statewide database collections. The Task Force includes representatives from various types of libraries across Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. We will begin assembling this group soon. Weā€™d like the group to include a combination of returning members (who took part in the last selection) as well as new members weā€™ll gather via an open application process.
Selection Process
The SER Task Force will craft a Request for Proposal document that describes the types of resources weā€™re seeking. In fall 2025, that document will be shared with vendors who will propose products for consideration. Those proposals will include trial access to the products, which weā€™ll share with the library community broadly, and ask for feedback. The SER Task Force will make selections in the winter-spring of 2026, and weā€™ll communicate changes prior to the new collection being available starting July 1, 2026.
This is a dynamic time in the information environment, and it will be interesting to go through this selection process together! Keep an eye on Minitex News for updates as the project progresses. And thanks for making ELM the well-used, community-informed collection of high-quality resources it has grown to become.
