Wright County hears Great River Regional Library update; commissioners unanimously back Minitex resolution

Wright County commissioners on April 15 received a semiannual report from Great River Regional Library and voted unanimously to approve a resolution showing county support for Minitex, the interlibrary loan and resource-sharing service used by Minnesota libraries.

The library presentation, led by Karen Consek, executive director of Great River Regional Library, emphasized systemwide use and local growth in Wright County. “We had over 98,000 cardholders last year,” Consek said. The system circulated more than 2,000,000 physical items and nearly a half‑million digital items across its six‑county service area, she said.

County leaders said the resolution matters because Minitex and related programs underpin interlibrary loans and access to materials that county residents currently use. Consek told the board that federal library funding faces near‑term uncertainty after staff changes at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and that some state and federal grant flows tied to Minitex are at risk. “We have over 14,498 items borrowed through MnLINK last year,” Consek said, citing the system’s interlibrary loan numbers.

Great River staff described local activity in Wright County’s branches: Saint Michael and Buffalo showed recent growth; Saint Michael registered about 2,000 summer‑reading participants last year and hosted events that drew hundreds. Local coordinators noted partnerships with schools, senior centers and community organizations that drive program attendance and volunteer support.

On Minitex specifically, Consek explained the county’s indirect exposure: Great River receives about $7,000 indirectly from Minitex for interlibrary loan delivery, and staff estimated the immediate local impact at slightly more than $20,000 if interlibrary loan delivery ceased. She also told the board that roughly 16% of recent patron requests were fulfilled through interlibrary loan in the last six months.

The board then considered a resolution supporting Minitex library services. Commissioner Holland moved to approve the resolution; Commissioner Shane seconded. The resolution passed by voice vote with the board recording unanimous approval.

County administration and library staff said they will continue monitoring state and federal funding and would return to the board if additional local action is needed to preserve interlibrary‑loan delivery.

The presentation also included comments from local library coordinators: Katie Teasdale (Buffalo branch), Marla Sherber (Monticello branch) and Nancy Bunting (St. Michael branch), who described program attendance, facility improvements and partnerships that supported increased participation.

The board thanked library staff for the report and for the work the system provides across Wright County.