As one of 12 regional library systems found in Minnesota, the Northwest Regional Library (NWRL) serves several counties, including Kittson, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, and Roseau. All these counties combine to have a population of almost 50,000 residents, all of whom the library supports. Use this guide to learn more about what this system offers.
What Is the Northwest Regional Library System?
The NWRL receives funding from property tax distributions from these five counties as well as a Regional Library Basic System Support grant from the State of Minnesota. Within these five counties, the NWRL has seven full-time libraries and two LINK libraries, which are only open 20 hours a week. The seven libraries are found in the following cities:
- Greenbush
- Hallock
- Red Lake Falls
- Roseau
- Thief River Falls
- Warren
- Warroad
The two LINK libraries are found in Karlstad and Grygla. If you’re looking for the NWRL headquarters, head over to the Thief River Falls location at 210 LaBree Ave. N. You will find delivery services, information technology, and technical processing operations here.
What Services Does the Library System Have?
Not only can you check out materials at your home library, but you can request items at one of the other eight regional libraries. The NWRL has a delivery system that transfers materials twice a week. Every Tuesday and Friday, a delivery van picks up and drops off requested items to the other locations. In total, this 300-mile round-trip journey occurs no matter the weather.
The system also offers a variety of research resources available to you, all for free. Some of these resources include the following:
- AskMN: This instant-chat service lets you communicate directly with an experienced librarian at any time, seven days a week. Within minutes you will receive information directing you to useful resources.
- ELM: Use ELM to access articles from magazines, journals, newspapers, and e-books. It also includes searchable information about careers and college entrance exams.
- Minnesota Reflections: This database houses information shared by cultural heritage organizations found across the state.
- MNKnows: This portal to the Minnesota online library services gives you access to various electronic resources.
- PCHS: The Pennington County Historical Society has an index of cemetery and obituary records. Use this site if you’re working on genealogy information.
What Programs Does the Library System Provide?
Throughout the year, each library branch hosts specific programs to encourage its patrons to use its services. A few of these programs include the following:
- Summer reading program: This program concentrates on helping elementary children practice their reading skills when on summer break. They can receive incentives based on the number of books they’ve read.
- Winter reading program: Geared toward adults, this program features contests, reading goals, and prizes.
- Teen programs: Middle school students attend these in-person programs geared toward their interests.
- Book clubs: Adults who enjoy reading books can meet and share their thoughts on specific tomes.
- Outreach programs: Several of the branch libraries offer these programs, which include book exchanges and storytimes.
- Family nights: All branch libraries remain open late one night a week so families can use the library together. Special programming is offered twice per month.
What New Services Does the Library System Offer?
Some of the other available features the NWRL implemented within the last year include the following:
- Creativebug: In February 2021, The NWRL partnered with Creativebug, which offers online arts and crafts instructional videos. NWRL library cardholders in good standing can receive free on-demand access to a collection of more than 1,000 arts and crafts classes for a variety of levels. All classes are taught by experts, and new classes are added daily.
- Chromebook rental: In January 2021, the NWRL announced it would introduce 11 Chromebook laptops for circulation. The laptops run on Google’s Chrome Operating System and are available to NWRL residents with a valid library card. The laptops automatically delete content saved to them, so users are advised to save their data via a USB flash drive or cloud storage. The Chromebooks are due 14 days after checkout, but they can be renewed two times as long as nobody else has placed a hold on them.
- Mobile Wi-Fi hot spots: Also in January 2021, the NWRL began to offer mobile Wi-Fi hot spots for NWRL residents with a valid library card. The hot spots allow internet connections anywhere patrons can get a signal via the Sprint Network, and up to 10 devices can be connected. Just like the Chromebooks, they’re due 14 days after checkout but can be renewed twice. Only one hot spot can be checked out at a time.
- Brainfuse: The NWRL stated in June 2020 that it launched Brainfuse, which is a three-part on-demand eLearning platform for all ages. BrainfuseHelpNow offers personalized homework help in core subjects as well as SAT preparation. It also has an adult learners’ version where they access resume assistance, career resources, and GED prep. BrainfuseJobNow supports every step of the job search process including coaching and job interview prep. BrainfuseVetNow helps veterans through academic tutoring and career assistance.
How Can You Get a Library Card?
If you’re a resident of the Northwest Region, you can apply for a library card at any of the nine locations or online. If you reside out of the state or in Canada, you can purchase a non-resident library card for an annual fee of $30. Also, students studying at a local college can apply for a card at no fee.
For online cards, fill out the form with your name, address, phone number, email address, and your home library location. After you hit submit, you will receive access to the digital collections through Hoopla and Overdrive for up to three months. After the three months have ended, the NWRL will contact you and request that you bring in proof of residency to your library. Once your residence is verified, you will receive a physical library card and have access renewed.
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