Kitchigami Regional Library Legacy Grant SFY 2010 - SFY 2011
Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment raises revenue for Clean Water, Outdoor Heritage, Parks and Trails, and Arts and Cultural Heritage. Libraries are beneficiaries of a portion of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Funding.
Minnesota has a strong library presence with over 350 active public library buildings within twelve regional public library systems. Kitchigami Regional Library System (KRLS) is a consolidated regional public library system in north central Minnesota. It has nine branch public libraries located in five counties: Beltrami, Cass, Crow, Wing, Hubbard, and Wadena. KRLS was formed under joint powers agreements between cities and counties. KRLS and branch public libraries provide free access to library services and program activities for all residents of the region without discrimination. Through cooperation, shared services, and reciprocal agreements, library users have access to a wide range of public library services, programs and resources within the region and statewide. Through system collaboration, communities develop libraries that capitalize on economies of scale providing greater effectiveness, improved quality and access to more resources.
Through the State Library Services Division of the Minnesota Department of Education, the regional public library systems each receive part of the $4.25 million Minnesota Regional Library Legacy Grant through a state formula program. Kitchigami Regional Library System's share through the formula is $268,287 in 2010 and $273,022 in 2011. The funds enable KRLS branch libraries to connect with authors, playwrights, musicians, story tellers, and other arts activities providing a strong program connect for all Minnesotans with the arts and cultural heritage activities. Despite the tremendous success of this grant program the demand for arts and cultural activities throughout the twelve library regions exceed the available resources.
These appropriations are for grants allocated using existing formulas under Minnesota Statutes, section 134.355, to the 12 Minnesota Regional Library Systems, to provide educational opportunities in the arts, history, literary arts, and cultural heritage of Minnesota. No more then 2.5 percent of the funds may be used for administration by regional library systems. 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. The Department of Education, State Library Services Division shall administer these funds.
These appropriations are for grants allocated using existing formulas under Minnesota Statutes, section 134.355, to the 12 Minnesota Regional Library Systems, to provide educational opportunities in the arts, history, literary arts, and cultural heritage of Minnesota. No more then 2.5 percent of the funds may be used for administration by regional library systems. 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. The Department of Education, State Library Services Division shall administer these funds.