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Regional library directors say recent state funding increases are improving services in rural and growing communities
Summary
Representatives of Minnesota regional public library systems told the Senate committee that 2023 funding formula changes allowed targeted investments in collections, staffing, accessibility and pay scales; committee members heard examples from multiple regions.
Karen Punczak, director of the Great River Regional Library System, summarized how the 2023 changes to Minnesota’s state funding formula for regional library basic system support have been used across the state.
Punczak told the committee the changes allowed regional systems to boost collections, add staff and improve compensation in a way that benefits small and growing communities. She cited examples: Viking Library System expanded an outreach collection for developmental achievement centers, Mankato’s system added collection‑analysis software to update nonfiction, and Great River added staff to growing Saint Michael locations and two floating positions to keep branches open.
Punczak said some regions used funds for training (including mental‑health best practices for frontline staff), technology support, and compensation studies that improved pay scales. She noted that regional investment can yield outsized effects in small rural communities where modest dollars go farther.
Sarah Hawkins, assistant director at Anoka County Library and legislative chair of the Minnesota Library Association, told the committee about the Metro eLibrary collection and local impacts. Hawkins said the Metro eLibrary had more than 12,000,000 checkouts in 2024 — she described it as “the highest circulating digital collection worldwide for the fourth year in a row” — and Anoka County reported a 17% increase in database usage in 2024. Hawkins gave examples of patrons using eLibrary Minnesota to prepare for EMT exams, obtain health information for medical appointments, and succeed in college coursework via interlibrary loan and reference services.
Punczak thanked the Legislature for the funding changes and urged continued support so regional systems can retain staff, update collections and maintain services across all 87 counties.
Why it matters: Regional public library systems distribute state support to libraries across Minnesota. Recent funding increases, administrators say, have allowed targeted improvements in collections, staffing, training and technology that may improve equity of access, particularly in smaller and rural communities.
