Potential 2009 Legislative Platform Issues
Developed by Mark Ranum
2009 MLA Legislative Chair
September 2, 2008
The following list is the topic outline of potential MLA/MEMO (M/M) 2009 platform planks in no particular order. Following this list are one line descriptions of each platform plank (as derived from the Legislative Forum discussions).
- State Library
- Braille and Talking Book Library
- Structure Study
- Regional Library Basic System Support
- Multi-type Library System Support
- RLTA
- Telecom Equity Aid
- Tech Standards
- Media Specialists
- MINITEX
- Delivery and ILL
- ELM
- Funding, Policies, MNLink Gateway
- Early Learning and Literacy
- New Minnesota Miracle
Watch List
- Unaffiliated Libraries
- LGA/CPA
- State Library
M/M supports funding levels for the Braille and Talking Book Library that insure adequate access by the vision impaired and others to these valuable resources.
M/M supports funding for the Minnesota Library Structure Study as proposed by the State Librarian and the State Library Services agency.
- Regional Library Basic System Support
M/M supports a permanent increase in the RLBSS grant of $4.8M each year.
- Multitype Library System Support
M/M supports a permanent increase in the Multitype Library System grant of $1.2M each year.
- RLTA (Regional Library Telecommunications Aid)
M/M supports an increase in the RLTA program of $XM (this number will be determined after the RLTA reports are in to the state in September to insure adequate funding is requested)
- Telecom Equity Aid
See above, similar language
- Tech Standards
M/M supports the inclusion of technology and information skills standards that insure students are effective consumers of information.
- MINITEX
M/M supports an increase in the MINITEX base support of $XM to support increased costs for Delivery and ILL services.
M/M supports an increase in funding for the Electronic Library for Minnesota to insure comprehensive coverage of information resources for Minnesotans.
M/M supports funding for the next generation of the MnLINK Gateway hardware and software to insure a stable and current system exists to support the infrastructure of resource sharing in Minnesota.
- Early Learning and Literacy
M/M supports funding for programs in early learning and literacy, particularly programs which use the resources and expertise of libraries across the state.
- New Minnesota Miracle
M/M supports the financial investment for the New Minnesota Miracle.
Watch List
- Unaffiliated Libraries (MLA currently opposes access to all state services and supports department of education policy as outlined in the Seagren Letter dated November 28, 2005.
- LGA/CPA and levy limits
M/M supports the continuing increase for LGA/CPA as they support local investment in library services. MLA supports the removal of all levy limits on local governments.
