The Arrowhead Library System (ALS) is the regional public library system that serves the seven counties in northeastern Minnesota and is geographically the largest public library system in the state. The seven counties served are Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, and St. Louis for a total population of 308,012 (as of 2008) people served. There are 29 member libraries in the system with a total of 2,392,726 items circulated in 2008.
Contents
As of July 1, 2012, the Arrowhead Library System is the regional multi-type library system as well the regional public library system. Therefore, ALS will be serving their constiuents by "promoting and facilitating cooperation among the academic, public, school library media centers, and special libraries" as well as continuing to provide the member public libraries with support to "provide free access to library services for all residents of the region without discrimination."
Mission
"The mission of the Arrowhead Library System is to deliver highly responsive and accessible library service to its member libraries and people of the region through a collaborative network of coordinated programs."
Legacy Funding
Libraries in Minnesota receive a portion of funding from the Minnesota Legacy Amendment under the Arts and Cultural Heritage funding allocation. In 2011, the Arrowhead Library System received $457,762.74 in Legacy Funding and was able to provide 134 programs to 22,496 residents in northeastern Minnesota.