Minnesota Library Association

The North Star Cataloging Network recently created a Google Group to support the community! You can use it like a listserv: for having discussions with other catalogers, for sending announcements, or for sharing other cataloging related information. Learn more here: minitex.umn.edu/news/profess...

Meet the Multitypes! Minnesota’s 7 Multicounty Multitype Libraries (MCMT) bring together all types of libraries in their regions & tailor their services to the needs of their member libraries. Do you know your multitype? Find it at www.mnmcmt.org and learn about all of your multitype’s resources.

Libraries have been gearing up for election season all year, with programming and resources to help their patrons get #ReaderVoterReady! Still need some last minute inspiration? Check out our Ready Voter Ready resources for event ideas and more: ala.org/advocacy/initiatives/reader-voter-ready

Congratulations to the MN Library Association's 2026 Award Recipients! We're proud to recognize an outstanding group of library professionals, educators, advocates, & innovators. Thank you for your commitment to MN libraries & the communities you serve! www.mnlibraryassociation.org/news/737172/...

November 1st is the deadline to apply for a Metronet Learning & Development grant! This grant is for professional development, continuing education, conferences, and other events taking place in November-December 2026 & January 2027. More information here: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

📣 Special announcement for small and rural libraries: ALA's United for Libraries division and Penguin Random House are teaming up for a 3rd year to support Friends groups serving small and rural libraries with project grants! Applications open Dec. 8. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4hdubzv

New this year: tuition support for media specialists! Through a one-time appropriation from the Minnesota Legislature, the MN Multicounty Multitype Library Systems are able to provide tuition support for Library Media Specialist certifications. Learn more: www.mnmcmt.org/tuition-supp...

The Indie Author Project and Minnesota Library Association announce the 2026 MN Author Project contest award winners! The MN Author Project is a statewide contest recognizing the best indie-published authors in the state of Minnesota. minitex.umn.edu/news/2026-10...

Happy #NationalFriendsOfLibrariesWeek! 🎉 This week we celebrate the volunteers who support their libraries in all kinds of ways—from fundraising to advocacy to spreading the word about the great things the library offers. Learn more about becoming a library friend: https://bit.ly/4nau4Xd

From rare prose to 'Heated Rivalry,' Quatrefoil Library celebrates 40 years of LGBTQ+ literature www.mprnews.org/episode/2026... via @mprnews.org

Apply for the Mary C. Murphy Library Construction Grant! The MN Department of Education makes this state funding available through this grant for renovation, construction & improvement projects for more accessible public library facilities. Apply by November 30th: education.mn.gov/MDE/DSE/Gran...

The Public Library Association (PLA) @ala-pla.bsky.social invites Minnesota public library professionals to apply for the 2027 PLA Leadership Academy, taking place March 15–19, 2027, in Chicago. Apply soon -- applications close Monday, October 19th! Learn more: www.ala.org/pla/leadersh...

Check out the recap of the MN Association of Library Friends (MALF) fall forum! You can watch the presentations, including the keynote with Brian Freeman. mailchi.mp/3f6fdf115e5b...

National Friends of Libraries Week 2026 is October 18-24! Use the time to creatively promote your Friends group in the community, to raise awareness, and to promote membership. Find celebration Ideas and resources here: www.ala.org/united/event... #NationalFriendsofLibrariesWeek #friendsofthelibrary

Check out the Minnesota Libraries Learning Network (MLLN) professional development opportunities for October-December 2026! MLLN is the Minnesota library community's source for professional development information. See the list of opportunities here: minitex.umn.edu/news/profess...

Day 2 of the 2026 Minnesota Library Association Annual Conference begins soon! Check out today's event schedule here: site.pheedloop.com/event/MLA202...

It's Day 1 of the 2026 Minnesota Library Association Annual Conference! Which sessions will you attend? Check out the schedule here: site.pheedloop.com/event/MLA202...

Join Metronet for pizza and let your elected officials know how special the Minnesota library community is! Metronet will provide the pizza, postcards, and postage. Postcards will be mailed to campaign addresses. Please RSVP so we can plan our pizza order: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

It's #BannedBooksWeek, it's ALA's birthday, and... it's National Voter Education Week! Voters count on America's libraries to prepare for elections and get #ReaderVoterReady. Learn more and find tools for your library: ala.org/readervoterready

There's still time to register for the 2026 Minnesota Library Association Annual Conference, taking place virtually October 8-9! Experience engaging sessions, meaningful discussions, & opportunities to connect with library colleagues from across MN! www.mnlibraryassociation.org/page/2026Con...

Register for the ELM Expo! This in-person learning event is for metro-area library staff & educators to help you discover the full potential of eLibrary Minnesota (ELM) & learn how to use its resources in your daily work. On November 13th, 9 am-2 pm. Register here: minitex.umn.edu/events/train...

Let books be. Today kicks off #BannedBooksWeek, an annual observation started more than 40 years ago in response to a sudden surge in attempts to censor or remove books in libraries, schools, and bookstores. Sound familiar? Find ways to get involved and spread the word: https://bit.ly/4yvixbB.

Help your community and campus be election ready! By providing accurate, nonpartisan information, libraries can help ensure that more eligible Minnesotans know how to participate in our elections. Here are a few ways your library can help: minitex.umn.edu/news/2026-09...

Volunteer spots are still available for the 2026 MLA Virtual Conference! For the virtual conference we’ll need room hosts, so sign up for your favorite sessions for early access. To sign up for one or more volunteer shifts, please visit: www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4BAB...

Banned Books Week will take place next week, October 4–10, 2026! The theme of this year’s event is Let Books Be — Protect the Freedom to Read. Learn more and find ideas on how to participate here: bannedbooksweek.org @bannedbooksweek.bsky.social

Apply for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Professional Development Travel Grants! State Library Services offers grants for library staff interested in attending professional development between fall 2026 and summer 2027. Apply by November 6th: education.mn.gov/MDE/DSE/Gran...

Early registration for the MLA Annual Conference ends this Wednesday, September 30th, so hop on it! This year's conference is a virtual gathering dedicated to our theme: “Supporting Each Other, Sustaining the Work.” Learn more and register here: www.mnlibraryassociation.org/page/2026Con...

Join Metronet to network with your peers while learning about Minnesota's library landscape! Participants will work through the MN Library Learning Network's Intro to Library Values and Minnesota Libraries Structure & funding courses asynchronously & meet to discuss. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Applications for the PLA Leadership Academy are open 🎉 Mid-career library worker looking to advance? This is your sign. Join us for 4 days of immersive workshops, 1:1 coaching & leadership development in Chicago, March 15–19, 2027. Applications close Oct. 19. Apply now: https://bit.ly/4y33BRU

The Twin Cities Book Festival is on Saturday, November 7th! Come to Union Depot in Saint Paul from 10am-5 pm. Featuring keynotes from children’s author Kate DiCamillo & United States Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, a book fair, author panels, children’s activities, and more! twincitiesbookfestival.com

Join Hopkins Library and Hopkins Community Cinema for a screening of the Emmy-nominated documentary 'The Librarians!' Date: Tuesday, October 6th; doors open at 6:30 pm and film starts at 7 pm, at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. Register at hclib.bibliocommons.com/events/6aa37...

Register now for MLA Annual Conference Watch Parties! The Watch Parties provide an in-person experience for this year's online conference. Early registration for MLA ends September 30, so hop on it! cdn.ymaws.com/www.mnlibrar...

Celebrate our freedom to read by learning about censorship challenges in this conversation between Trung Le Nguyen, award-winning author of The Magic Fish, & Ashley Krohn, chair of MLA's Intellectual Freedom Committee! Oct. 13 at 6:30pm, Hopkins Public Library. RSVP creamandamber.com/event/2026-1...

#LibraryCardSignUpMonth is the perfect time to check out your library's 'Library of Things.' From musical instruments to prom dresses to ghost hunting kits, who knows what you'll discover? Sign up for a library card today! https://nyti.ms/4iCSavk

Check out the Minnesota Libraries Learning Network (MLLN) professional development opportunities for September-November 2026! MLLN is the Minnesota library community's source for professional development information. See the list of opportunities here: minitex.umn.edu/news/profess...

Metronet's next Library Leadership Forum discussion is on September 23rd at 3 pm: SLOW Librarianship. Join your library colleagues to engage in discussions & share recommendations for professional reading. Register: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Call for proposals! The Minitex Network for Open & Affordable Practices (MNOP) OER Pathfinder Grants are back for K-12 and post-secondary educators. Minitex is offering $1,000 grants to support sustainable efforts in open education which are locally defined. Apply by October 20th: mnop.org/grants

Join a Storytime Training Cohort! The Early Literacy Storytime Training module on the Minnesota Libraries Learning Network (mlln.org) is a beginner-level course created and designed by a dedicated group of Minnesota storytime experts. Register here: forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/respon...

Auction Time! Donate something cool to the Silent Auction at the MLA Conference. The 2026 auction is ONLINE ONLY, which means things will be a little bit different than in years past. All donation submission forms must be received no later than Monday, September 21st: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) @aaslala.bsky.social opens call for 2027 AASL National Conference Committee members! The AASL Conference will be in Portland OR, Oct 14-16, 2027. Apply by September 30, 2026: www.ala.org/news/2026/09...

November 1st is the deadline to apply for a Metronet Learning & Development grant! This grant is for professional development, continuing education, conferences, and other events taking place in November-December 2026 & January 2027. More information here: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

"...the E-Rate program has been 'an equalizer' for schools and libraries around Minnesota." We can't let that connectivity go away: www.marshallindependent.com/news/local-n... The FCC's proposals for the E-Rate program could be a disaster. Tell Congress and the FCC to #SaveOurERate: ala.org/erate

Minnesota educators & library professionals will have an opportunity to deepen their media literacy expertise this fall when the MN Council of Teachers of English hosts a workshop with nationally recognized media literacy educator Dr. Renee Hobbs on October 19th! minitex.umn.edu/news/k-12-sc...

The Minnesota Library Foundation Silent Auction is returning as part of the 2026 MLA Annual Conference! The conference and auction will be virtual this year. All donation submissions *must* be received no later than Monday, September 21. Learn more here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month! This year's theme, “All the Right Notes,” celebrates the many ways libraries help people discover something new, connect with their communities, and find their next favorite thing. Get involved: https://bit.ly/3CL8QvE #LibraryCardSignUpMonth

Check out the session programming agenda for the 2026 Minnesota Library Association Annual Conference! This will be a virtual conference held on October 8-9, 2026. Take a look at the agenda here: site.pheedloop.com/event/MLA202...

The National History Day annual theme for 2026-2027 is "Innovation in History." Explore project topics with a new guide from the Minnesota Digital Library! collection.mndigital.org/exhibits/his...

Free webinar! Join #WebJunction on September 10th from 2:00-3:00 pm for 'The potential and peril of generative AI.' This webinar will discuss how public libraries can play an important role in helping their communities understand these technologies. Register here: www.webjunction.org/events/webju...

Beyond books: How public libraries are changing, via @mprnews.org www.mprnews.org/episode/2026...

Join the Minitex Copy Cataloging Learning Cohort! This is a great opportunity to meet & learn from experienced catalogers while completing the Minitex Copy Cataloging for Beginners course. To join the learning cohort, register by September 18th: minitex.umn.edu/news/profess...