History of Multitype Library Systems in Minnesota
The Minnesota multitype library cooperation program was established to enhance library and information services for all Minnesotans by fostering collaboration among libraries of all types. To achieve this, the state created seven regional, multi-county library cooperation systems, ensuring that resources could be shared efficiently and effectively across academic, public, school, and special libraries.
The foundation of this program can be traced back to the 1978 Minnesota Pre-White House Conference on Library and Information Services, where citizens advocated for greater cooperation among libraries statewide. This momentum led the Joint House/Senate Education Subcommittee on Libraries to recommend the creation of a formalized program to the 1979 Minnesota Legislature. In 1976, a dedicated task force was established to explore how increased collaboration could benefit library services, ultimately forming what is now known as State Library Services within the Minnesota Department of Education.
Based on these recommendations, the 1979 Minnesota Legislature officially adopted the multitype library system program as part of the Education Aids Bill, codified under Minnesota Statutes 134.351-135.36. Funding was allocated both through state appropriations and federal Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) Title III funds, designating this initiative as Minnesota’s official library cooperation project.
By late 1979 and early 1980, the geographic boundaries of the seven multitype systems were established. These boundaries were designed to ensure adequate population coverage and to align with existing regional public library systems, each containing at least one state university or a branch of the University of Minnesota.
Each multitype system is governed by a Citizen Board composed of representatives from regional public library system boards, academic libraries, special libraries, and K-12 school library media specialists.
The seven Multicounty, Multitype Library Systems in Minnesota are:
- Arrowhead Library System
- Central Minnesota Libraries Exchange (CMLE)
- METRONET
- Northern Lights Library Network
- Prairielands Library Exchange
- Southeast Library System
- Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative
These systems continue to strengthen Minnesota’s library network, promoting innovation, resource sharing, and professional collaboration to ensure that high-quality library services are accessible to all.