Curious about MELSA?
Let’s start with our name.

MELSA is an acronym
It stands for MEtropolitan Library Service Agency.
Minnesota is divided into twelve regional public library systems, for the purpose of delivering library services.
MELSA is the largest of these systems, serving eight member libraries with more than 100 library locations.
MELSA’s Region
Within MELSA are eight library systems
- Anoka County Library
- Carver County Library
- Dakota County Library
- Hennepin County Library
- Ramsey County Library
- Saint Paul Public Library
- Scott County Library
- Washington County Library
For more information about Minnesota’s regional library systems, visit the opens in a new windowState Library Services’ website.

What MELSA provides
MELSA is for you and your library.
With funding from the State of Minnesota through Regional Library Basic System Support, Regional Library Telecommunications Aid, and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, MELSA promotes cooperation among its members by providing the libraries and the public with access to great resources, programs, and other important library services.
For the public
From Read & Ride Day at the Minnesota State Fair to online tutorials on Lynda.com, we provide programs, events, and all kinds of E-resources for you.
For our libraries
Not only does MELSA enhance your libraries ability to provide great resources, but we also offer training, registration and other tools for member library staffers.
If you’re a library staff member check out our resources for libraries.
In the news
Women’s History Month Reads
Minnesota Authors/Winter Reads
NoveList Plus e-resource
Club Book to bring in a cool dozen writers for spring
https://www.startribune.com/club-book-to-bring-in-a-cool-dozen-writers-for-spring/600023472/
From Laurie Hertzel, Star Tribune on 2/15/21
Meet the staff
Scott Vrieze
(651) 300-2810
scott@melsa.orgcreate new email
Kathleen James
(651) 379-2745
kathleen@melsa.orgcreate new email
Sally Lederer
(651) 379-2743
sally@melsa.orgcreate new email
Abigail Dillon
(612) 699-8439
abigail@melsa.orgcreate new email
Mona Scott
(651) 379-2742
mona@melsa.orgcreate new email
Gina Goettl
651-300-2815
gina@melsa.orgcreate new email