2025 is a budget-planning year in Ramsey County! The budget that will define Library services and programs for the next two years (2026 and 2027) is in the process of development. Ramsey County Library depends on County funding for 98% of their annual budget. It is vital that the County continues to fund the Library at current levels to ensure continuance of the essential Library resources and services that you depend upon. Please write, call, or email your County Commissioner to let them know that you value your Library and to ask them to sustain Library funding!
You can use this page to find your commissioner. Navigate to their name on the left side of the page to find their contact information. Please be kind and respectful; remember that the County Commissioners are working hard to support our communities through their role and they want to hear from their constituents! It’s especially helpful if you can provide specific examples of how the Library impacts your life or the lives of people you know. And don’t forget to include your address!
Please feel free to use the templates and script below. If you have any questions, you can reach out to RCLF Executive Director Melissa Nykanen at mnykanen@rclfriends.org or at (651) 724-6127. We’d also love to hear from you if you do reach out to your County Commissioner! This will help us track our advocacy impact.
The funding that the Friends provide to the Library through our annual grant is an essential supplement to County funding and helps pay for many of the Library programs and additional collections that the community enjoys. Please help us continue this funding by donating to the Friends here.
Email or Letter Template Dear Commissioner [NAME], Thank you for your support of public libraries in Ramsey County! I am a resident in [AREA OR CITY NAME] and I am writing to let you know how much I value the Ramsey County Library. I use the Library for/to___________. The Library is important to me because___________.
Libraries serve their communities by providing free information resources, services, and programs to ALL residents. During times of economic hardship, communities rely even more heavily on their libraries. Libraries provide welcoming spaces, free Wi-Fi, job training and job seeking resources, and access to free books and other information resources.
As you determine the County budget for 2026 and 2027, please consider the huge impact the Library has on community members like me. As a resident, it is important to me to see the Library’s resources, services, and programs continued at current levels.
Thank you for your support of our community! Sincerely, [YOUR NAME] [YOUR ADDRESS]
Phone Script Hello, Commissioner [NAME]. My name is [YOUR NAME]. I am a resident of [AREA OR CITY NAME], and I am calling to let you know that the Ramsey County Library is an important County resource that I value. I use the Library for/to___________. The Library is important to me because _. As you determine the county budget for 2026 and 2027, please consider the impact the Library has on the community. As a resident, it is important to me to see the Library’s resources, services, and programs continued at current levels. My address is [YOUR ADDRESS]. Thank you for your time and consideration!
Information About the IMLS Executive Order Impacting MN Libraries
May 28, 2025
On March 14th, President Trump issued an Executive Order to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which represents less than 0.003% of the federal budget but is an important funding source for libraries.
In Minnesota, loss of IMLS funding endangers Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library (MBTBL) that serve all public libraries in the state, including Ramsey County Library. Both are important services. With ILL, library users can have books from anywhere in the state delivered to their home library, and MBTBL provides direct library service to Minnesotans with print disabilities.
Minitex – IMLS Information Minitex is a state-wide organization that provides interlibrary loan services, as well as other services for the entire state of Minnesota. They receive significant funding from IMLS. This website includes information about the impact of the executive order on Minitex, and a detailed timeline.
Minnesota Library Association – Legislative Advocacy Page Minnesota Library Association is the state organization that supports libraries and library staff. Their legislative advocacy page includes action items, links to library news in Minnesota, and information on how IMLS funding impacts Minnesota libraries.
Ramsey County Library Friends
Ramsey County Library Friends (formerly Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the libraries in making information, books, music, and programs available to the public.
Advocacy
Ensuring County Funding for Ramsey County Library
May 28, 2025
2025 is a budget-planning year in Ramsey County! The budget that will define Library services and programs for the next two years (2026 and 2027) is in the process of development. Ramsey County Library depends on County funding for 98% of their annual budget. It is vital that the County continues to fund the Library at current levels to ensure continuance of the essential Library resources and services that you depend upon. Please write, call, or email your County Commissioner to let them know that you value your Library and to ask them to sustain Library funding!
You can use this page to find your commissioner. Navigate to their name on the left side of the page to find their contact information. Please be kind and respectful; remember that the County Commissioners are working hard to support our communities through their role and they want to hear from their constituents! It’s especially helpful if you can provide specific examples of how the Library impacts your life or the lives of people you know. And don’t forget to include your address!
Please feel free to use the templates and script below. If you have any questions, you can reach out to RCLF Executive Director Melissa Nykanen at mnykanen@rclfriends.org or at (651) 724-6127. We’d also love to hear from you if you do reach out to your County Commissioner! This will help us track our advocacy impact.
The funding that the Friends provide to the Library through our annual grant is an essential supplement to County funding and helps pay for many of the Library programs and additional collections that the community enjoys. Please help us continue this funding by donating to the Friends here.
Email or Letter Template
Dear Commissioner [NAME],
Thank you for your support of public libraries in Ramsey County! I am a resident in [AREA OR CITY NAME] and I am writing to let you know how much I value the Ramsey County Library. I use the Library for/to___________. The Library is important to me because___________.
Libraries serve their communities by providing free information resources, services, and programs to ALL residents. During times of economic hardship, communities rely even more heavily on their libraries. Libraries provide welcoming spaces, free Wi-Fi, job training and job seeking resources, and access to free books and other information resources.
As you determine the County budget for 2026 and 2027, please consider the huge impact the Library has on community members like me. As a resident, it is important to me to see the Library’s resources, services, and programs continued at current levels.
Thank you for your support of our community!
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS]
Phone Script
Hello, Commissioner [NAME]. My name is [YOUR NAME]. I am a resident of [AREA OR CITY NAME], and I am calling to let you know that the Ramsey County Library is an important County resource that I value. I use the Library for/to___________. The Library is important to me because _. As you determine the county budget for 2026 and 2027, please consider the impact the Library has on the community. As a resident, it is important to me to see the Library’s resources, services, and programs continued at current levels. My address is [YOUR ADDRESS]. Thank you for your time and consideration!
Information About the IMLS Executive Order Impacting MN Libraries
May 28, 2025
On March 14th, President Trump issued an Executive Order to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which represents less than 0.003% of the federal budget but is an important funding source for libraries.
In Minnesota, loss of IMLS funding endangers Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library (MBTBL) that serve all public libraries in the state, including Ramsey County Library. Both are important services. With ILL, library users can have books from anywhere in the state delivered to their home library, and MBTBL provides direct library service to Minnesotans with print disabilities.
Recent court proceedings have temporarily halted the dismantling of the agency, but IMLS still needs our support. Please use this link to ask your U.S. Senators and Representatives to protect and fund IMLS.
For additional information on the status of IMLS, please visit these websites:
American Library Association – FAQ: Executive Order Targeting IMLS
ALA is the primary national organization supporting libraries and library staff. This website includes information on the executive order, including action items and a way to sign up for alerts.
Minitex – IMLS Information
Minitex is a state-wide organization that provides interlibrary loan services, as well as other services for the entire state of Minnesota. They receive significant funding from IMLS. This website includes information about the impact of the executive order on Minitex, and a detailed timeline.
Minnesota Library Association – Legislative Advocacy Page
Minnesota Library Association is the state organization that supports libraries and library staff. Their legislative advocacy page includes action items, links to library news in Minnesota, and information on how IMLS funding impacts Minnesota libraries.
Ramsey County Library Friends
Ramsey County Library Friends (formerly Friends of the Ramsey County Libraries) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the libraries in making information, books, music, and programs available to the public.
Donate or Become a Member
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Ramsey County Library Website
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