Multitype Library SystemsLearning Support :

Multicounty Multitype Library Cooperation Systems

Minnesota has seven regional Multicounty, Multitype Library Cooperation Systems established by the Minnesota Department of Education in 1980. Each regional multitype defines its own services and priorities. Multitype Regions improve library services by promoting and facilitating cooperation among the academic, public, school library media centers, and special libraries within a specified region. Membership includes academic libraries, school library media centers, public libraries and special libraries in businesses, government, health care institutions, and other agencies.

State Library Services administers the multitype program under Statute 134.351 and Rules 3530.2200 through 3530.2600. The state library agency calculates the state aid amount each region annually receives and reviews (1) each multitype’s three-year strategic plan, (2) intended programs and services for the upcoming fiscal year and (3) report of results for the previous fiscal year. The state library agency provides consultant services to each system and overall state coordination.

The seven regions are known popularly by their acronyms or short name, the regions are:

1. CMLE – Central Minnesota Libraries Exchange
2. Metronet – Metropolitan area multitype regional system
3. NCLC – North Country Library Cooperative
4. NLLN – Northern Lights Library Network
5. SMILE – Southcentral Minnesota Inter-Library Exchange
6. SELS – Southeast Library System
7. SAMMIE – Southwest Area Multicounty Multitype Interlibrary Exchange