Great River Regional Library Legacy Grant SFY 2018 - SFY 2019
Minnesota's twelve regional library systems, which encompass more than 350 public libraries in all areas of the state, can benefit from a portion of the Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Through State Library Services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education, each regional library system is eligible to receive a formula-driven allocation from the annual $2.5 million Minnesota Regional Library System Legacy Grant. Great River Regional Library (GRRL) is a consolidated regional public library system in central Minnesota. GRRL has thirty-two branch public libraries located in six counties: Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, and Wright. With Arts and Cultural Heritage funds, GRRL and its member libraries present an array of arts, cultural, literary, and Minnesota history programs in collaboration with arts and cultural organizations, independent artists, historical societies, and community organizations. Projects contribute to the cultural vitality of the region and build a lasting legacy.
These amounts are appropriated to the commissioner of education for grants to the 12 Minnesota regional library systems to provide educational opportunities in the arts, history, literary arts, and cultural heritage of Minnesota. These funds must be allocated using the formulas in Minnesota Statutes, section 134.355, subdivisions 3, 4, and 5, with the remaining 25 percent to be distributed to all qualifying systems in an amount proportionate to the number of qualifying system entities in each system. For purposes of this subdivision, "qualifying system entity" means a public library, a regional library system, a regional library system headquarters, a county, or an outreach service program. 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. These funds must be distributed in ten equal payments per year. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations encumbered on or before June 30, 2019, as grants or contracts in this subdivision are available until June 30, 2021.
Total number of projects: 76
Total number of programs and/or events (if different than total number of projects): 189
Total attendance/participation: 9,246
Total number of partnerships: 51
During the long winter months, it takes a special program to bring people to the library. Author of multiple books on haunted historical sites and other creepy things, Chad Lewis, presented on a variety of topics at 22 libraries in January and February and reached a total of 529 attendees. The feedback from these programs was very positive; people were fascinated by the subject matter and Lewis was praised for his presentation skills:
"New and interesting history of the subject matter; new to me information on gangster history of our immediate and regional area. Mr. Lewis is a good storyteller; held our attention."
"Planning on going to more of his talks. This is a first!"
These amounts are appropriated to the commissioner of education for grants to the 12 Minnesota regional library systems to provide educational opportunities in the arts, history, literary arts, and cultural heritage of Minnesota. These funds must be allocated using the formulas in Minnesota Statutes, section 134.355, subdivisions 3, 4, and 5, with the remaining 25 percent to be distributed to all qualifying systems in an amount proportionate to the number of qualifying system entities in each system. For purposes of this subdivision, "qualifying system entity" means a public library, a regional library system, a regional library system headquarters, a county, or an outreach service program. 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. These funds must be distributed in ten equal payments per year. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations encumbered on or before June 30, 2019, as grants or contracts in this subdivision are available until June 30, 2021.
Total number of projects: 255
Total number of programs and/or events (if different than total number of projects): 255
Total attendance/participation: 18587
Total number of partnerships: 103
Dave Cofell is a St. Cloud-based musician with an eclectic style that weaves both songs and stories. His 11 concerts in the first half of 2019 brought together audiences of all ages to enjoy his talents as singer -songwriter.A total of 217 people attended these events. One attendee wrote, "Absolutely love being able to enjoy local talent here in our community," and another said the event was "inspiring and informative."
Great River Regional Library offered an author tour with Lorna Landvik visiting eight libraries in the fall of 2019. A total of 293 attendees got to enjoy Landvik's special dose of Minnesota humor and stories from her life and what led to her newest novel. These author visits were a unique opportunity to have a conversation with Lorna, since she leaves plenty of time for questions. An attendee wrote, "Spent a great evening with a friend, and was greatly entertained by Lorna Landvik." Another wrote, "Learned a lot about the life of one of my favorite authors!"
Art workshops continue to be a very popular and engaging type of program in our region. Attendees appreciate learning new creative skills, using readily available supplies, and meeting new people in their communities. Great River Regional Library generally offers tours with artists and local branches also hire local artists to present specific workshop and classes. A total of 97 art programs were offered in 2019 and with 1,547 attendees. One attendee of a program wrote, "It was nice to have something creative and social to do. The activity was fun and the explanations were simple and easy to understand. Thanks!"