CMLE has been making some big changes to our services over the past two to three years; and now we want to re-brand our identity to reflect the organization we are becoming. So we need a new name, and we want your ideas and opinions to make a good decision!

As you may know, CMLE is one of the seven multitype systems in the state of MN. That means we all work to help all types of libraries in our geographic area: schools, publics, academics, and specials, as well as archives and history centers. Our geographic area covers the same territory as the Great River and the East Central public library systems. It’s an opportunity for all of us to work together, to find common solutions to problems we all face, and to always know that we are all part of a larger community of people doing the same kind of work. We do not serve the people in the communities; we serve you guys, and you serve your communities.

We think it’s a pretty great system, and are always looking for new ways we can work to share communication and information across all 300+ members in these 12 counties! (Shhh! Don’t tell the other six systems – but we think our members are pretty clearly the best!) (We may be slightly biased in that assumption, but….)

Our neighboring multitype library system, SAMMIE, is changing their name – and have already decided to change to Prairielands Library Exchange.  Ideally, we would like to do this soon to save the effort of changing names across the state more than once!

We are also working on our Strategic Plan, and are looking at some ideas for branding for that – ideas that will help to guide the work we can do to provide more and better service to our members over the next few years.

So  we are asking for your thoughts and ideas! You can go ahead and suggest some names, or just suggest some words and ideas.  We will work out a selection of name suggestions from these ideas, and take them to the next CMLE Board meeting to see what they think.

Your input is, as always, important in the decisions we make. Our whole purpose is to serve our members; we want you to be active in guiding where we can best put our limited time and resources to provide the best service!

Please fill out the form below. If you want to chat about ideas further, we would be happy to hear from you! Come to our tour of St Cloud State’s library on Jan. 11; come to one of our Office Hours; email ideas; leave them in the comments below; we can set up a time to come visit your library; or just make an appointment to come by our office and chat. (You know we always like to see you!)

Thanks for your ideas! We are looking forward to building another great plan for a few more years of service to our members.