Thing 4: Get to Know Your Public Library, Part II

Next task: check out the "MELSA" site (melsa.org). . .MELSA is the "Metropolitan Library Service Agency". . .MELSA was established in 1969 and serves as one of the twelve regional public library systems in Minnesota. . .The mission of MELSA is to "share resources and ideas, foster literacy, promote public library use, (and) prepare for the future.". . .The website provides loads of information about MELSA: 1. the address for the offices of MELSA in St. Paul (and a map); 2. the six staff members and how to contact them; 3. the Board of Trustees (one trustee from each of these seven metro counties--Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington, and one trustee representing the St. Paul public library); 4. the eight member Advisory Board (representing the same constituencies as the Board of Trustees). . .Any card-carrying member of one of MELSA's participating members can uses any of the resources of any of the participating libraries. . .MELSA is a classic example of what can happen when residents of neighboring municipalities shelve their parochial biases and work together to provide better service for our metropolitan area. . .One of my favorite parts of the MELSA website is the section for databases for public uses. . .My favorite databases are the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press archives, and the Newsbank Infoweb. . .drfaust