The Great River Regional Library (GRRL) hosted an event — January 25, 2022 — with Minnesota library advocates on the important work of libraries across the state. 

One of the featured speakers is local District 14B Rep. Dan Wolgamott, who is the chief author of the bill advocating for library support (SF1131/HF1710). Speakers shared how their regional library system has helped their community through the pandemic. 

Other speakers scheduled fror the event are: GRRL Board member Zurya Anjum, Ottertail County Community Development Director Amy Baldwin, Viking Library System Director Erin Smith, Minnesota Library Association Legislative Chair and Lake Agassiz Regional Library Executive Director Liz Lynch, and St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis.

To wrap up the session, Rep. Wolgamott will discuss how the legislature can collaborate with libraries. As people have seen libraries build, grow, and readjust through the pandemic to best fit patrons’ needs, there are ways that communities can continue to improve and show their local library support in new ways.

GRRL provides library services at 32 public libraries and to-go systems in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright Counties. GRRL2GO is a locker system that allows one to pick up items at the Sartell Community Center. GRRL supplies residents of Central Minnesota with nearly one million books, CDs and DVDs, 250 public computers, programming, and information services.

This event is open to the public and press. Masks are strongly encouraged. More information can be found on the library website: https://griver.org/library-news/event-why-minnesota-libraries-are-on-the-rise.