2016 MLA Annual Conference

Advocacy has long been a focus area for the MLA Fall Conference, and something the MN Library legislative community has struggled with. At the 2015 Legislative Forum, Sam Walseth lit a fire in the advocacy break-out group that still burns brightly. He briefly described a completely different approach to advocacy that markets the strengths, partnerships and proven effectiveness of a group rather than focusing on individual requests. This session will review and expand his thoughts on better communication, a focused voice for an organization which could result in a real change for advocacy methods in the future. Sam will also include MALF's 17,000 points of light, and how they can be brought into this model.

Along with professional library staff there are three other groups made up of citizens who enjoy and appreciate their libraries. The groups: Friends of the Libraries, Library Foundations, and Library Trustees or Library Boards, each work to support their libraries, but usually have different functions and work separately rather than partnering. This session will discuss how these three types of organizations work together to better serve their communities and their libraries. This is a joint effort of MALF and MLTA.

Meet the Minnesota Association of Library Friends (MALF) board of directors and learn briefly about MALF activities, grants, and membership at this annual meeting. Immediately following the brief meeting, an ideas exchange will be facilitated where you can listen and share useful information to strengthen and maintain a vibrant friends organization. Share ideas and learn about building membership, creative fund-raising, advocacy and other friends projects. Feel free to bring samples and resources to share in this lively and informal session.

Move your organization forward by learning about from this year’s creative Evy Nordly Award finalists.  The Minnesota Association of Library Friends will spotlight three exceptional projects from Minnesota Friends organizations.  Hear brief presentations from the Pipestone Area Friends of the Library (“Night at the Museum” event), the Friends of the Elmore Public Library (“Basket Book-nanza” project), and the Friends and Foundation of the Northfield Public Library (“Friends Book Bags” project).   The winner will receive a commemorative plaque and a $1,000 monetary prize for their friends’ organization.  Attendees are guaranteed to come away with at least one replicable idea! 

Public library funding seems easy enough to understand - mostly local tax dollars. Right? That's not quite the whole story. Knowing more about state programs for public library funding in MN can help you better understand your library organization and inform your advocacy efforts. So if you've ever wondered:

• How does regional public system funding work?  
• What is RLBSS? And why is "The Formula" such a big deal? 
• How are Legacy dollars distributed and put to use?
• How does the RLTA program help keep staff and public computers connected? 

...or didn't know these were things to know, then, this is the session for you.  It's loaded with facts and more than enough fun to keep your eyes from glazing over.