Reaching Out Regionally
 As part of our ongoing Regional Reach-Outs initiative, State Library Services staff visited libraries in the Arrowhead Library System in August.
No snakes this time; instead we had opportunity to witness the swearing-in of the entire board at Hibbing Public Library, the hockey display at Eveleth Public Library, and vibrant youth and teen areas at Cloquet Public Library.
We talked with library staff about revamping their summer programs to better engage families at Gilbert Public Library, juggling city-wide event planning and lots of foot traffic at Mountain Iron Public Library, and curating the collection for cabin folks at Moose Lake Public Library.
If your library has a program or activity you are particularly proud of and would like to highlight, please let your regional director know. We would love the opportunity to showcase your great work and commitment to providing high quality library services to your community!
Five Minutes for Benefits
The Minnesota Department of Education's (MDE) new Fill the Form campaign provides promotional materials including flyers, posters, and social media graphics to remind families to complete the Application for Educational Benefits.
Although Minnesota now provides free school meals for students attending schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program, those schools must still collect Applications for Educational Benefits to determine eligibility categories and receive the correct federal and state reimbursements.
The Application for Educational Benefits may help eligible families access:
- Summer grocery support (Sun Bucks)
- Internet and utility discounts
- Test fee waivers
- Tutoring and after-school programs
- Local discounts at museums and events
Families can complete the Application for Educational Benefits through their school or district website.
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Grants for Fun Math Programming
The Association for Rural & Small Libraries is offering a new opportunity for small and rural libraries: the Infinite Sums Cohort Grant Program, supported by the Simons Foundation as part of its Infinite Sums initiative and presented in partnership with SciStarter.
Fifteen selected libraries will receive $10,000 each to support fun, community-wide math programming in 2026 on Pi Day (March 14), Infinity Day (August 8), and Fibonacci Day (November 23). Grant recipients will also participate in a year-long learning cohort, with regular virtual sessions and two in-person gatherings.
This grant opportunity is open to public libraries in the U.S. serving small and/or rural communities. Applications will close September 30, 2025.
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Pro Bono Research and Evaluation
Wilder Research has an opportunity for pro bono research and evaluation consultation! Wilder Research is inviting applications for community-initiated research or evaluation projects from organizations serving culturally specific communities.
Up to three organizations will be selected to receive useful, actionable research or evaluation services at no cost between October 2025 and June 2026.
See the Wilder Research pro bono webpage for more information and to apply. Applications are due by Tuesday, September 30 at 11:59 p.m. If you have any questions, please contact Julia Miller (julia.miller@wilder.org).
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Activating Friends and Foundations
United for Libraries will present a webinar titled "Public Charities Can Advocate and Lobby: How Your 501(c)(3) Friends of the Library Group or Library Foundation Can Influence Policy for the Greater Good" on Wednesday, October 22, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Nonprofits can and should take advantage of their right to influence law and policy. This workshop will cover advocacy activities you can engage in, and how to maximize your non-lobbying advocacy when representing 501(c)(3) public charities, including public and community foundations.
Register for Public Charities Can Advocate and Lobby
This workshop is free to Minnesota trustees, board members, and supporters through our United for Libraries statewide registration.
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Increased Library Usage Across the Nation
The Institute of Museum and Library Services has released the latest data from its Public Libraries Survey (PLS).
Each year since 1988, the PLS has provided a national census of America’s public libraries. The data are collected from approximately 9,000 public library systems comprised of over 17,000 individual main libraries, library branches, and bookmobiles in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.
Explore the FY23 PLS Data Files and Benchmarking Tables.
Highlights from the FY23 data:
- Public libraries served over 155 million registered users in 2023, nearly half of all Americans living within a library service area.
- Library visits nearly doubled compared to 2021, reaching over 800 million in 2023. That’s an average of 2.2 million visits every day—clear evidence of the public’s renewed reliance on library services post-pandemic.
- Libraries expanded their programming significantly in 2023, offering 1.2 million more programs than in 2022. A total of 93 million people attended 4.6 million programs, addressing critical needs in early learning, digital and financial literacy, workforce development, and public health.
- Circulation of physical materials rebounded strongly, rising to 4.37 items per person in 2023—up from a pandemic-era low of 3.41 in 2021—reflecting a strong return to in-person engagement with public libraries. Digital access continues to expand, with per person circulation of e-books, e-audio, and e-video reaching 1.68 in 2023.
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