MELSA relies on the contributions of its member libraries to achieve shared goals and projects. Collaboration is reached through teams, interest groups, and task forces. The members of each team, interest group, and task force are appointed by the MELSA Advisory Board.
MELSA Teams
MELSA teams explore, develop, or recommend programs, resources, and activities to the Advisory Board regarding a specialized area of library operations.
Interest groups
MELSA interest groups facilitate the sharing of ideas, information, local program activity, and future planning within a specific area.
Task Forces
A MELSA task force is a temporary committee that focuses on a specific project or task for a limited time period.
Teams
Each library system appoints a member to participate in each of the MELSA teams, and meetings occur on a regular basis throughout the year.
Communications Team
Focuses on ensuring consistent promotion of MELSA-wide programs/resources/campaigns
E-Resources Team
Oversees the selection of metro-wide purchases of electronic databases and tools.
Collection Development Team
Focuses on library collection questions that have MELSA-wide scope and impact.
Interest Groups
Member libraries may choose to appoint a representative to each interest group.
World Language Interest Group
Brings collection staff from MELSA library systems together to better inform and support the work that they do related to collecting materials in languages other than English
Volunteer Interest Group
Discusses a variety of concerns related to how to recruit, recognize, and best use volunteers in the libraries.
Jobs & Small Business Interest Group
Focused on sharing resources and expertise, and modeling best practice in the field
Circulation Interest Group
Examines issues related to the circulation of materials within and between the MELSA libraries
Adult Programming Interest Group
Focuses on developing and reviewing metro-wide programming resources, and events targeted toward adult library users.
task forces
Legacy Amendment Task Force
Coordinates programs funded by Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment.