Services and Programs

Requests for program funding comes from the Dakota County Library System

Founding Sponsor of Minnesota Mosaic cultural program series
Dakota County Library participation in El Dia de los Ninos/El Dia de los Libros, an annual family celebration of reading in the Hispanic community
Gift books as incentives for children participating in summer reading programs
Teen summer reading programs and activities
Incentive prizes for teen art programs and teen poetry writing programs
Incentive prizes for Winter Jackets adult reading programs
Book Group In A Bag collections for book discussion groups
Bi-Folkal multimedia kits for programs at senior centers and meetings of clubs and organizations
Serve as fiscal agent and partner for grants awarded to Dakota County Library
Participated in the Library’s Strategic Planning Process
Incentive prizes for adult and youth poetry and system short story contests, as well as adult reading program
Summer Art and Bookmark Contest
Dakota County Library Jail Outreach Program

DCLF Highlights

Over 190 individuals participated in Dakota County Library’s annual Poetry Contest which is a 22% increase in participation from the previous year. The Poetry Contest supports local poets of all ages, creative writing, and community connection to the library. The parents of one student, who placed second in the 12-14 ages category, reached out to the Library to express appreciation of how the contest encourages their children’s writing confirming program goals. They wrote: “thank you so much for this honor for Rebecca! She really puts her heart into her writing. This means the WORLD to her, to be recognized for her poem. Thank you so very very much. You have really encouraged Rebecca, in continuing to pursue her writing abilities.” Winning poems are published on the Dakota County Library website (search poetry). The program is made possible with sponsorship from the Dakota County Library Foundation.

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In 2018, Foundation funding bought books to support the Dakota County Library’s partnership with the Dakota County Jail. 67 incarcerated parents and caregivers learned early literacy activities to promote school readiness in Library lead workshops and received books to share with their children. 88% of respondents said they are very likely to engage with their child in activities learned in the program.