The Minnesota Library Association (MLA) has made advocacy and government relations one of its highest priorities. The MLA serves as the primary voice and advocate for libraries, librarians, library support staff, and the publics they serve in Minnesota .

MLA's advocacy goals include:

• securing funding to provide quality library services for all Minnesota citizens 

• advocating for intellectual freedom and opposing library censorship

• educating library advocates and elected officials about the value of libraries to education, economic development and as community centers and destination points

The MLA works with its members to maintain a statewide, grassroots network of library advocates who create widespread public awareness of the value libraries play in our society.

MLA's lobbyist and its active Legislative Committee represent the library community in front of the legislature. MLA's legislative platform addresses the needs and interests of both library systems and public, school, academic, and special libraries.

MLA sponsors a Legislative Day in March or April of each year when library advocates come to St. Paul to meet with their elected representatives. MLA also serves as a resource to legislators and their staff and state agencies when they have questions about library and information services.

MLA  also works closely with the American Library Association on federal issues important to the library community. MLA coordinates participation by Minnesota librarians in a National Library Legislative day each year.

We encourage all MLA members to contribute their skills and their time to the Association's advocacy efforts.