People hear about the "regional library" but have no idea what it is. They identify with their local public library and assume public librarians are employed by the city. So, what is the "regional library?"

In a nutshell,

Local public libraries serve patrons.

The Northwest Regional Library provides services to patrons through local public libraries.

Local public librarians and Headquarter staff are employees of the NWRL.

The Northwest Regional Library provides public library services through Branch Libraries located in:

Warroad  

Roseau  

Greenbush

Thief River Falls

Hallock 

Warren

Red Lake Falls

With Link Sites in:

Karlstad and Grygla and the NWRL web-site.

Funding is provided from cities, counties and the State.

Here's a little history - In the 1960's, the Federal government formed regional libraries to provide library services to all residents across America, no matter where they live. Prior to systems, library services were scattered and uneven. In Minnesota, 12 systems were formed, six consolidated, six federated. The NWRL is consolidated which means there is one administration to operate the system under a regional library Board.

Because of the 12 regional library systems in Minnesota, people have access to many services that would not be available without this state-wide network:

1. They can use any library within their region as well as libraries located in the other 11 regions and access materials from these libraries through the state-wide interlibrary loan/delivery network

2.They can access Internet lines in local public libraries funded through regional libraries.

3. They use an inter-grated automation system with access to state-wide electronic databases.

4. They have programming such as the Summer Reading Program and Legacy programs.

and many more

In a recent survey, the library services people valued the most were "regional" services but they didn't understand they are provided by the system through local libraries. Hopefully this will help all readers understand a bit more about the regional library that serves you.