About Our Organization

Q. What is Metronet? (top)

A. Metronet is one of seven multitype library systems established by the State Legislature in 1978. Each regional system in the statewide network serves public libraries, school library media centers, college and university libraries, corporate, law, medical, government, museum and other special libraries and information centers.

Q. What does Metronet do? (top)

A. State law defines Metronet's program areas: long-range planning, communications, resource sharing, database development, delivery and continuing education. How these program areas are implemented is based on the needs of member libraries and the communities they serve. Governing Board members guide the direction, set policy, and select service strategies that promote collaboration among libraries and links between libraries and metro area priorities. Metronet's strategic plan outlines its current priorities for member services. View the plan on our web site.

Q. Who "runs" Metronet? (top)

A. The statutory authority for Metronet rests with the Governing Board, a nine-member Board which includes 5 citizen representatives and 4 library representatives (one from each type of library). At the state level Metronet is a constituent part of the library cooperation program, administered by the Office of State Library Services and School Technology within the Minnesota Department of Education. Metronet is also a member of the Multitype Library System Directors group which represents the state's seven multitype systems.

Q. Who "thought up" Metronet? (top)

A. The idea of these library collaboratives grew out of a recognized need for formal arrangements with support for specific functions that cross type of library lines. The systems developed a wide range of programs, many emphasizing the continuing education needs of library staff and the need for collaborative planning around technology development.

Q. What does it cost to belong? (top)

A. Individual member libraries incur no fee for membership. The only requirement is that the library agree to share its knowledge and, to the extent possible, its resources with the broader community.

Q. How is Metronet funded? (top)

A. The funding for Metronet's services comes primarily from state funds. Essential other funds come through grants and contracts for service and minimal charge for continuing education events.

Q. Is Metronet an electronic network? (top)

A. Metronet has always used whatever information and communications technology are available to accomplish regional library purposes. We have a substantial web presence with global readership. We also sponsor a regular E-mail list which provides a supplemental distribution system for keeping members informed.

Q. Is Metronet a sort of "super" library agency? (top)

A. No.

Q. How does Metronet benefit the residents of the metropolitan area? (top)

A. Increasingly, people use different types of libraries to meet their learning and recreational needs. No one library serves every need. Metronet helps library staff to understand better the information options that face their users and to build services that recognize the many ways in which people can access the full range of information resources of the region.

Q. What are some ongoing Metronet projects and services? (top)

A. The Metronet website, a member newsletter (MetroBriefs), offering (or co-sponsoring) a variety of continuing education programs, providing a continuing education scholarship program, distribution of the Raising Readers publication.

Q. What are some of Metronet's projects? (top)

A. Authors and Illustrators database—This resource on Metronet's website provides information about authors and illustrators of children's books. The database was designed for teachers and librarians and includes contact information to invite local authors or illustrators to their schools.

E-books—Metronet coordinated a grant to provide statewide access to e-books titles to increase access to reference sources in all types of libraries.

Multicultural services—Metronet completed a video documenting local library services to multicultural groups. The video is available to assist libraries in sharing service ideas.

School Media Center Census—Metronet conducted a census to gather baseline data about the current state of Minnesota's school library media centers. A final report and executive summary are available, both in print and online at the Metronet website.

School Media Center Census Part II—A follow-up to the first census, with updated data to show what has been happening with library media center staffing, budgets, etc. since the 2002 study. The 2004 reports are available on the Metronet website.

Twin Cities One Book—Metronet coordinated a metro-area reading celebration featuring "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen. Events included two speaking events by Gary Paulsen, as well as numerous survival- and outdoor-related events throughout the Twin Cities.

Exemplary Librarians video—A DVD featuring interviews with six metro-area librarians discussing how and why they came into the field, what they enjoy most about their profession, and more. Also features a panel discussion of current library and information services students from the College of St. Catherine answering similar questions.

Metronet Information Literacy Project—In 2006-07 Metronet will work with high schools in St. Paul and Farmington on a pilot project to implement two of the MEMO/MLA Recommended Standards on Information and Technology Literacy.

Authors & Illustrators

Q. What are the requirements to be listed in the Authors & Illustrators section? (top)

A. To be listed on this site you must be located in Minnesota, a p ublished author or illustrator of children’s and/or young adult’s books.  (Note: Vanity and/or self-publishing is not sufficient to be included), and be willing to present to libraries, schools, community agencies, conferences, etc. If you meet these qualifications, please feel free to submit your information for consideration. Note:  Listings are published at Metronet’s discretion.

Q. I'm a MN author/illustrator - how do I get listed? (top)

A. If you meet the requirements listed above, send your information to us for consideration.

Q. Can I include a photo? (top)

A. Yes. Photos should be in .jpg or .tiff format, and sent as a separate file. Please do not embed them in a Word or other word processing document.

Minnesota Web Directory

Q. What is the Minnesota Web Directory? (top)

A. The Minnesota Web Directory features nonprofit, for profit, cultural, civic, educational and other Minnesota-based websites.  This index is informational only: Metronet does not endorse these sites and is not responsible for their content.  Metronet reserves the right to refuse any listing deemed inappropriate.

Q. What are the requirements to be listed? (top)

A. The organization or business must be headquartered in Minnesota.

We do not list the following types of sites:

• Sites of companies/organizations not headquartered in Minnesota
• Sites hosted on free web servers—they disappear too quickly (i.e. GeoCities, Tripod, Yahoo, etc.)
• Discussion groups, listserv, email lists
• Online malls or classifieds
• Fan, weblogs/blogs, or vanity pages
• Sites with insufficient contact information—Minnesota address, phone, and E-mail required (Note: web contact forms do not qualify as an E-mail address)
• Web hosting resellers
• Sites with content unsuitable for school children

Note: Businesses are listed only once in the directory.

Q. How do I get listed in the MN Web Directory? (top)

A. Complete this "add a site" form.