What Is MELSA?

Curious about MELSA?

Let’s start with our name.

Blue circle character pointing at map of Minnesota and the Minneapolis / St Paul area where MELSA serves

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

For more information about Minnesota’s regional library systems, visit the  opens in a new windowState Library Services’ website.

MELSA Service Area Map

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 Teen Lit Con to online tutorials on LinkedIn Learning, we provide programs, events, and all kinds of E-resources for you.

Pink character holding a book and looking at a calendar while smiling
Programs & Events
Green square-shaped character holding laptop that says e-resources
E-resources

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.

Library Resources

In the news

Women’s History Month Reads

Minnesota Live segment on 3/16/22 featuring MELSA Communications Manager Sally Lederer, who recommends non-fiction and historical fiction about notable women.

Minnesota Authors/Winter Reads

Minnesota Live segment on 12/14/21 featuring Sally Lederer, MELSA Communications Manager, who recommends books by Minnesota authors and talks about the Winter Reads program.

NoveList Plus e-resource

Minnesota Live segment on 11/22/21 featuring Sally Lederer, MELSA Communications Manager, explaining the features of NoveList Plus. 

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

MELSA logo

1619 Dayton Ave. Suite 314 St. Paul, MN 55104-1849
Phone: (651) 645-5731

© 2020 Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA)