Annual Appeal

The last year has seen library usage increase sharply, as always happens when the economy is challenged. Libraries have responded, offering public access to knowledge, and assistance for families and individuals, through their services, programs and books and other materials.

As libraries support our communities when times are tough, we need to support Minnesota libraries.

The Minnesota Library Foundation (MLF) helps libraries throughout the state by providing resources to libraries and librarians. A private, nonprofit organization, the Foundation supports the work of the Minnesota Library Association and its more than 700 professional members. Together, the Foundation and MLA work to assist more than 400 Minnesota libraries.

One way we do this is to train the library leaders of tomorrow:

I came to the library community with a desire to serve others and make a difference in the world. By attending the Leadership Institute, I learned how to do that. Every day, I wake up and realize that I am fortunate enough to be in a field where I can apply the skills and theories that I learned at MILE, and change peoples’ lives. By developing future leaders in the library community, we invest in tomorrow and we prepare to continue the tradition of giving back.

Nick Prieve, Teen Services Librarian, Marshall-Lyon County Library

LIBRARIES NEED YOUR HELP. MAKE A GIFT TODAY!

By supporting the Foundation, you ensure that Minnesota libraries have more resources to serve their own communities. With your help, the Foundation can provide increased resources to Minnesota libraries. In recent years, the Foundation has:

• trained a new generation of library leaders,

• provided enhancement grants to libraries for special projects,

• supported statewide workshops and conferences, and

• helped libraries bounce back following tragic natural disasters.

Every gift to the Foundation builds Minnesota libraries and makes it possible for them to remain a vibrant resource for the people they serve.

Help libraries continue to serve their communities during tough times. Please give generously.