Lake Agassiz Regional Library Legacy Grant SFY 2010 - SFY 2011
Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment raises revenue for Clean Water, Outdoor Heritage, Parks and Trails, and Arts and Cultural Heritage. Libraries are beneficiaries of a portion of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Funding.
Minnesota has a strong library presence with over 350 active public library buildings within twelve regional public library systems. Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL) is a consolidated regional public library system in northwestern Minnesota. It has thirteen branch public libraries and nine Library Link sites located in seven counties: Becker, Clay, Clearwater, Mahnomen, Norman, Polk, and Wilkin. LARL was formed under joint powers agreements between cities and counties. LARL and branch libraries and Link sites provide free access to library services and program activities for all residents of the region without discrimination. Through cooperation, shared services, and reciprocal agreements, library users have access to a wide range of public library services, programs and resources within the region and statewide. Through system collaboration, communities develop libraries that capitalize on economies of scale providing greater effectiveness, improved quality and access to more resources.
Through the State Library Services Division of the Minnesota Department of Education, the regional public library systems each receive part of the $4.25 million Minnesota Regional Library Legacy Grant through a state formula program. Lake Agassiz Regional Library System share through the formula is $279,619 in 2010 and $225,542 in 2011. The funds enable LARL branch libraries and Link sites to connect with authors, playwrights, musicians, story tellers, and other arts activities providing a strong program connect for all Minnesotans with the arts and cultural heritage activities.
These appropriations are for grants allocated using existing formulas under Minnesota Statutes, section 134.355, to the 12 Minnesota Regional Library Systems, to provide educational opportunities in the arts, history, literary arts, and cultural heritage of Minnesota. No more then 2.5 percent of the funds may be used for administration by regional library systems. These funds may be used to sponsor programs provided by regional libraries, or to provide grants to local arts and cultural heritage programs for programs in partnership with regional libraries. The Department of Education, State Library Services Division shall administer these funds.
These appropriations are for grants allocated using existing formulas under Minnesota Statutes, section 134.355, to the 12 Minnesota Regional Library Systems, to provide educational opportunities in the arts, history, literary arts, and cultural heritage of Minnesota. No more then 2.5 percent of the funds may be used for administration by regional library systems. These funds may be used to sponsor programs provided by regional libraries, or to provide grants to local arts and cultural heritage programs for programs in partnership with regional libraries. The Department of Education, State Library Services Division shall administer these funds.