Minnesota Library Association

ISTE Scholarship Application Please click the link to complete this form.

The Multicounty Multitype Library Systems reimburse library professionals for costs to pursue professional development & educator certification. The ISTE Certification Reimbursement Plan is part of this program! Apply here: form.jotform.com/260075616468...

Submit a proposal for Core Forum 2026! The Core Forum is the annual conference for @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social's newest division, Core: Leadership, Infrastructures, Futures. Submit ideas for presentations, table-top exhibits, & poster sessions before March 8th: coreforum.org/core-forum-c...

Program announcement and registration for ERMN Conference 2026 The program is set for ERMN 2026, and registration for the conference on February 11 is officially open.

Registration for the 2026 Electronic Resources Minnesota (ERMN) Conference is open, and it’s FREE! The conference will take place on February 11, 2026, 1:30-4:00 pm. Access the conference page for more detailed descriptions of the sessions and to register: minitex.umn.edu/news/e-resou...

As ICE raids continue in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN (MSP), the school day is anything but normal. Read more about how school librarians are supporting students and peers: sbee.link/a6ucetnjhg

Teen Lit Con 2026 Transportation Application Apply now! Awards are made on a first come, first served basis. Deadline to apply is March 20, 2026. You may apply to receive up to $500 to provide transportation for students to attend Teen Lit Con 2...

Metronet/MELSA-area secondary schools are encouraged to apply for bus reimbursement for Teen Lit Con 2026! You may apply to receive up to $500 to provide transportation for students to attend. Awards are made on a first come, first served basis; apply here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Save the date for the 2026 Annual Virtual Conference, Oct Save the date for the 2026 Annual Virtual Conference, Oct. 8-9. We need your help to make this conference outstanding! Volunteer for the 2026 Virtual Conference Committee Volunteering is a great way ...

Volunteer for the 2026 MLA Conference Planning Team! Volunteering is a great way to gain leadership & event-planning experience, connect with colleagues across the state, and build on the success of past conferences. Let us know which committee you’d like to join: tinyurl.com/5b9avv77

Minnesota School Librarians Supporting Students and Peers As ICE raids continue in the Twin Cities, school librarians are stepping up for students, staff, and their communities.

Minnesota School Librarians Supporting Students and Peers, via @slj.com: www.slj.com/story/Minnes...

Legislature Understanding legislature in Minnesota and beyond to help users understand how to better advocate for libraries and other issues that are important to them.

With Library Legislative Day just around the corner, it’s time to get informed so you can maximize your impact! Check out this resource from Metronet & learn how the Legislature impacts library funding and services, and how you can support libraries at the Capitol: mnlibraryadvocacy.net/legislature

Congress Must Pass Stable IMLS and the National Archives Funding by January 30 Congress must pass the last parts of the federal budget that include the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) by January 30th.

Congress has delivered bipartisan agreements on the FY2026 full-year budget for some of the nation’s cultural and knowledge institutions.

They must now pass a budget for the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the National Archives by January 30.

The next session in the Metronet Jobline Webinar Series is 'On the Horizon - Employment Trends in Libraries' on January 29th at 2:00 pm. Minnesota's Department of Employment & Economic Development will discuss job trends and resources for job seekers. Register here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Library Legislative Day Is Coming! Join the Minnesota Library Association at the State Capitol on February 25, 2026 from 9 am-3 pm to help make the case for libraries. Register with MLA (no membership required): www.mnlibraryassociation.org/events/Event...

Mary Mehsikomer Leadership in Service Award Nomination Nominate a K12 technology or library leader who exemplifies kindness, statewide impact, commitment to equitable access, and exceptional service to Minnesota schools and libraries.

Submit nominations for the Mary Mehsikomer Leadership in Service Award! This award recognizes a K12 technology or library leader who exemplifies kindness, statewide impact, commitment to equitable access, & exceptional service to Minnesota schools and libraries: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Show up for our libraries. ALA American Library Association.

New: Yesterday the Administration filed notice to appeal a recent decision in federal court which halted actions to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

IMLS grants are still in place while the court hears the appeal. The appeals process will take time. 1/2

AI in Libraries: Professional development opportunities There are two Lunch and Learns remaining in the 2025-26 series. Register now and check out additional opportunities from Minitex's Professional Development Alliance partners.

Take a look at the professional development opportunities for learning about AI in libraries! There are two Minitex Lunch & Learns remaining, as well as additional opportunities from Minitex's Professional Development Alliance partners. Check out the offerings here: minitex.umn.edu/news/profess...

Check out the Minnesota Libraries Learning Network (MLLN) to find training for MN library workers & their supporters! Start 2026 off with a quick webinar to refresh your knowledge, search for learning opportunities from around the nation, or take a deep dive into long form courses here: mlln.org

28 Nonfiction Gems Celebrating Black History These informational works for kids of all ages shine a light on the many contributions Black icons, such as Zora Neale Hurston, Serena Williams, and Malcolm X, and more, have made on American culture.

28 Nonfiction Gems Celebrating Black History
www.slj.com/story/28-Non...

Are you attending the Public Library Association Annual Conference in Minneapolis this April? The @ala-pla.bsky.social website has blog posts featuring local attractions to visit in the Twin Cities. Here is a blog post featuring some bookstores to visit: publiclibrariesonline.org/2026/01/pla-...

St. Louis County Schools reportedly pulled books from library during Banned Book Week The News Tribune investigated St. Louis County Schools' library policies following reports that the district had pulled books from the North Woods School in Cook in October 2025. A library assistant…

The News Tribune investigated St. Louis County Schools' library policies following reports that the district pulled books from the North Woods School in October 2025.

A library assistant received a termination notice two days after the Banned Books Week display was taken down.

Library Leadership Forum Registration - 1/28/26 Register here for Library Leadership Forum on Wednesday, January 28 at 3:00pm (CST). Topic: Change Management Change Leadership: How to lead change as a change leader Rethinking Libraries: Managing C...

Join Metronet's next Library Leadership Forum discussion on January 28th at 3 pm: Change Management. Don't miss this opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations and connect with your library colleagues across the state! Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Fund Libraries: Tell Congress to invest in libraries. American Library Association.

Looking for a good way to kick-start your New Year? Take action to #FundLibraries: Tell your members of Congress to support library funding in this year's federal budget!

There's no better way to get the year started than by showing up #ForOurLibraries: app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag...

IFRT Seeks Nominations for the 2026 Intellectual Freedom Awards

The @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social's Intellectual Freedom Round Table seeks nominations for the 2026 Intellectual Freedom Awards! These three awards recognize individuals and organizations that have supported intellectual freedom. Learn more and apply here: www.ala.org/news/2025/12...

FY26 Metronet Continuing Education Scholarship Policy.docx Metronet Continuing Education Scholarship Policy Revised & Approved June 2026 Metronet is a multicounty multitype library system that serves libraries of all types in the metropolitan area by leverag...

February 27 is the deadline to apply for a Metronet Learning & Development grant! This grant is for professional development, continuing education, conferences, & other events from February through May 2026. More information here: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

Graduation cap on top of a short stack of books. Text reads "Scholarship applications open through March 1" American Library Association logo

ALA provides more than $300,000 annually for study in a master's degree in library and information science. ALA scholarships cover an array of focuses and groups, from children’s and youth librarianship to government documents and support staff.

Apply by March 1! https://bit.ly/4s8U2hy

ALA and Simple Mobile launch 'Connected Communities' grants to advance mobile literacy in urban libraries The American Library Association, in partnership with Simple Mobile, invites public libraries in urban areas to apply for participation in Connected Communities: Mobile Literacy in Action.

Call for applications! @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social and Simple Mobile invites public libraries in urban areas to apply for 'Connected Communities: Mobile Literacy in Action.' This grant provides funding to build adult & family literacy programs through a mobile-first lens. www.ala.org/news/2025/11...

Happy Holidays from MLA!
Our offices will be closed for the holidays December 24–26 and January 1.

We wish you all the best this holiday season, and look forward to a wonderful year ahead in 2026!

The next session in the Metronet Jobline Webinar Series is 'Bookending the Interview: Decoding What Comes Next' on Jan. 15th, at 10:00 am. This webinar will offer practical tips on how to follow up, how to evaluate & negotiate offers, and how to avoid common mistakes. us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

Join State Library Services for 'Beyond a Cell Phone Policy: The Librarian's Role in Supporting Digital Wellbeing' on January 14, 4-5 pm. This webinar will highlight how to include digital wellbeing to further engage with your students, colleagues, and families: forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/respon...

Text in graphic reads: "Book Bans Wrapped: ALA, Book Riot, Florida Freedom to Read Project, PEN America, and Texas Freedom to Read Project are sounding the alarm: CENSORSHIP IS ON THE RISE" Large stylized "2025" at bottom of image.

ALA, @bookriot.bsky.social, @penamerica.bsky.social, @flfreedomread.bsky.social, @txfreedomread.bsky.social all track different aspects of the movement - no matter how you look at it, book bans are sweeping across the country. Don't miss our joint report: https://bit.ly/4qkTZh5

Take a look at the @newyorker.com's list, 'The Best Books of 2025!' This list includes a dozen essential reads in nonfiction and a dozen, too, in fiction and poetry: archive.ph/9g5fg