CMLE Information

Mission Statement

Encourage cooperation, communication and sharing of resources among over 270 member libraries.

Vision Statement

We partner with our members to help them provide quality service to the communities they serve, using research, advocacy, education and network building.

Goals

  • Information Sharing
  • Education and Training
  • Providing network opportunities
  • Grant appropriations 

HISTORY of Multitype Library Systems

The purpose of the Minnesota programs for multitype library cooperation was to improve library and information services for all Minnesotan by all libraries working together to develop programs for sharing their resources. To accomplish this the state of MN chose to anchor this cooperation in seven regional multi-county library cooperation systems. 

The multitype program has many roots including the Minnesota pre-White House Conference on Library and Information Services, 1978 in which citizens advocated increased working together by librarians across all type of libraries. 

The Joint House/Senate Education Subcommittee on libraries recommended the program to the 1979 Minnesota Legislature. A Joint subcommittee was formed and in 1976, determined that a program of this kind would encourage increased library cooperation. A task force was formed to what became Library Development and Services within the MN Department of Education. (Now named State Library Services) 

Following recommendations by this Subcommittee the 1979 MN Legislature adopted the program as part of the Education Aids bill. Minnesota Laws enabled formation for the multitype systems (MN Statutes 134.351-135.36). 

The Legislature made appropriations for the program, and the state used funds from the federal Library Services and Construction ACT as its project for library cooperation under Title III. 

Geographic boundaries were organized in late 1979 and early 1980. Boundaries recognized sufficient population size and existing regional public library systems which enclosed at least one state university or branch of the University of Minnesota. 

Citizen Boards govern the multitype systems with representation from the regional public library system boards, one representative from an academic library, special and K-12 School library media specialist. 

These seven Multicounty, Multitype Systems include:

  • Arrowhead Library System
  • Central Minnesota Libraries Exchange
  • METRONET
  • Northern Lights Library Network
    Prairielands Library Exchange 
  • Southeast Library System
  • Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative