Committee approves referral for bill to rename public library construction grant for Mary Murphy

The Capital Investment Committee voted to refer House File 1090 to the General Register after testimony supporting a request to rename Minnesota’s Public Library Construction Grant Program for former Representative Mary Murphy.

Supporters told the committee the competitive matching grant program has helped renovate, expand and preserve public libraries statewide. Karen Punczak, director of Great River Regional Library, said the program “provides funding to renovate, expand, or construct a public library” and highlighted both small accessibility projects and large renovations completed with the program’s help.

Margaret Stone, director of Dakota County Library, said the program “drives a partnership between local entities and the state so that libraries can be more attractive, accessible, and up to date.” Stone noted grants have funded restroom and meeting-room work and that local funds often cannot cover those additions without state matching support.

Punczak told the committee that from 1994 to 2024 the grant program “secured approximately $6.27 in local investment for every $1 of state investment” and that “over 45 public libraries across the state need repairs, expansion or new construction totaling over $175,000,000.” She and Stone said projects in their regions ranged from adding accessible entry buttons and elevators to the state’s first net-zero library in Howard Lake.

Representative Perez Vega and other members offered brief personal remarks in support. Chair Lee moved that House File 1090 be referred to the General Register; the committee voice vote was recorded as aye and the motion prevailed.

The referral advances the naming request as the bill proceeds through the legislature; no final authorization to rename the program was enacted at this hearing.