Lake Agassiz Regional Library Legacy Grant SFY 2016 - SFY 2017
Minnesota’s twelve regional library systems, which encompass more than 350 public libraries in all areas of the state, can benefit from a portion of the Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Through State Library Services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education, each regional library system is eligible to receive a formula-driven allocation from the annual $2.2 million Minnesota Regional Library System Legacy Grant. Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL) is a consolidated regional public library system in northwestern Minnesota. LARL has thirteen branch public libraries and nine Library Link sites located in seven counties: Becker, Clay, Clearwater, Mahnomen, Norman, Polk, and Wilkin. With Arts and Cultural Heritage funds, LARL and its member libraries present an array of arts, cultural, literary, and Minnesota history programs in collaboration with arts and cultural organizations, independent artists, historical societies, and community organizations. Projects contribute to the cultural vitality of the region and build a lasting legacy.
These amounts are appropriated to the commissioner of education for grants to the 12 Minnesota regional library systems to provide educational opportunities in the arts, history, literary arts, and cultural heritage of Minnesota. These funds must be allocated using the formulas in Minnesota Statutes, section 134.355, subdivisions 3, 4, and 5, with the remaining 25 percent to be distributed to all qualifying systems in an amount proportionate to the number of qualifying system entities in each system. For purposes of this subdivision, "qualifying system entity" means a public library, a regional library system, a regional library system headquarters, a county, or an outreach service program. 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. These funds must be distributed in ten equal payments per year. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations encumbered on or before June 30, 2017, as grants or contracts in this subdivision are available until June 30, 2019.
Total number of activities, programs, and/or events: 27 programs, 182 performances
Total participation/attendance: 3,382
Total number of partnerships: 5
excellent job of presenting historical information in a fun and interesting manner. Others commented that they appreciated the historical information about journalism from this same period. When asked, "What other programs would you like to see offered at the library?", participants answered "more of the same."
2. Sherbanoo Aziz from Moorhead, MN, traveled to seven LARL rural locations to talk about Indian cuisine and culture in Minnesota. Evaluations from all seven locations rated her program as "excellent" and gave Sherbanoo rave reviews. In Hendrum, participants commented that they appreciated tasting Indian food for the first time and they appreciated "exposure to something new." In Ada, participants stated, "It's unique! We haven't had anything like this in our community before." And, in Breckenridge, a participant stated, "Experienced a new culture by means of food. Expectations Exceeded!" in addition to a grateful, "Thank you Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage for bringing India to us!"
3. In December 2015, LARL chartered a bus from Crookston to Moorhead, with stops in several small towns along the way. Individuals interested in attending the annual Concordia Concert were picked up along the way. We chose to charter a bus to pick individuals up because we acknowledge those individuals living in rural Minnesota who are elderly and who are homebound during the winter months. The 80 tickets secured for this event were spoken for within days, and those who participated expressed their gratefulness for the transportation and the experience to an event that they would not normally be able to attend. An individual from Crookston stated, "Thank you for the wonderful music, the transportation, and the free opportunity to introduce me to a new event." Another participate commented, "The concert brought tears to my eyes. I expected good music, but this experience was magnificent." Another participant commented, "The concert was excellent and I appreciated the fact it didn't cost me anything, I didn't have to drive myself, and I didn't have to worry about parking" and "Thank you for an inspiring experience."
These amounts are appropriated to the commissioner of education for grants to the 12 Minnesota regional library systems to provide educational opportunities in the arts, history, literary arts, and cultural heritage of Minnesota. These funds must be allocated using the formulas in Minnesota Statutes, section 134.355, subdivisions 3, 4, and 5, with the remaining 25 percent to be distributed to all qualifying systems in an amount proportionate to the number of qualifying system entities in each system. For purposes of this subdivision, "qualifying system entity" means a public library, a regional library system, a regional library system headquarters, a county, or an outreach service program. 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. These funds must be distributed in ten equal payments per year. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, the appropriations encumbered on or before June 30, 2017, as grants or contracts in this subdivision are available until June 30, 2019.
Total number of activities, programs, and/or events: 15 programs, 66 performances
Total participation/attendance: 3,873
Total number of partnerships: 2
In November of 2017, three LARL locations hosted Kim Park Nelson's presentations and discussions of the surge of Korean adoptions in Minnesota following the end of the Korean War, which lead to Minnesota having the highest concentration of Korean adoptions of any state in the U.S. This personal, yet factual presentation of this time in Minnesota's history was an eye-opening experience for those who were unaware of the surge, while others who were a part of it were thankful for the opportunity to talk about the struggles and successes openly. Attendees who were adopted and who were the adoptees traveled from across the state to be a part of the conversation.