School Libraries Across Minnesota Struggle with Staffing and Budgets

Issue #255

02 May

In this Marshall Area Insider issue…

🌤️ Marshall, MN Weather - Partly cloudy with a high of 56

🗞️ School Libraries Across Minnesota Struggle with Staffing and Budgets

🗞️ Four-Day School Week Denied for Murray County Central

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📌 Know of other local events not listed? Send us the details!

School Libraries Across Minnesota Struggle with Staffing and Budgets

School libraries across Minnesota are grappling with challenges related to staffing and funding, according to a recent statewide survey of K-12 school library media centers.

Nearly half of the libraries that participated in the 2024 census reported a need for more staffing or longer operating hours. In southwestern Minnesota, the situation is especially stark—around 61% of schools in that region had only one staff member, often a paraprofessional, running the library. The average annual budget for these libraries was under $4,000.

The survey included responses from staff at 1,528 school libraries. It was made possible by one-time funding approved during the 2023 Minnesota legislative session and was administered by the Multicounty Multitype Library Systems (MCMT).

These regional systems support collaboration among libraries, including those in schools, across seven areas in Minnesota. The Prairielands Library Exchange serves 18 counties in the southwest region, including Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Pipestone, Redwood, and Yellow Medicine.

Statewide, most schools reported having a library media center that provides access not just to books, but also to digital and technological resources. On average, each center serves 432 students and employs one or two paid staff members.

While 54% of schools said a licensed media specialist managed their library, many of these professionals divide their time across multiple sites.

Only 24% of schools had a full-time licensed media specialist on staff. In schools without a media specialist, libraries were typically run by licensed teachers or paraprofessionals.

Library accessibility also varied. Just under half of the schools reported their libraries were open for at least 31 hours per week. However, 28% said their library media centers operated for 10 hours or fewer each week.

Budget constraints were a recurring theme. Excluding salaries, printing, and other operating costs, the median budget for a school library in Minnesota was $5,000. Nearly half of the schools had budgets below that amount.

In the Prairielands Library Exchange region, the average budget was $3,850. Libraries there served approximately 293 students and maintained collections averaging over 9,400 books—about 28 books per student. Roughly a third of the libraries in this area were shared between multiple schools.

By contrast, schools in the Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative region—which includes counties like Blue Earth and Nicollet—had larger libraries with more funding. On average, libraries there had two staff members, a student population of 349, and budgets averaging $6,445.

Despite the majority of funds being spent on books and materials, keeping collections current remains a challenge. The median publication age of books in school library collections statewide is 17 years.

In an effort to bolster support, the state began automatically distributing school library aid to public school districts and charter schools in the 2024 fiscal year.

However, awareness of this aid is inconsistent—40% of survey respondents were unaware of the funding, and among those who were, many did not know how it was being used to benefit their libraries.

Four-Day School Week Denied for Murray County Central

The Minnesota Department of Education has denied Murray County Central School District's proposal to shift to a four-day school week for the upcoming school year. As a result, the district will continue with its traditional five-day schedule in 2025–26.

Murray County Central (MCC) had submitted the proposal as a proactive strategy to address budget constraints, declining enrollment, and staffing challenges. The district emphasized that its plan incorporated community input and explored various solutions to maintain support for students and families.

The state’s primary concern in denying the application focused on the potential disruption to essential services for students. Specifically, the Department of Education highlighted the importance of consistent daily meal access and the availability of reliable childcare during the proposed off-day.

MCC had proposed continuing its existing back-pack meal program to support students in need and had considered a partnership with Shetek Environmental Education Center to provide childcare programming for students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Community feedback gathered through a district survey showed mixed reactions. Approximately 46.6% of respondents expressed concern about the need for childcare on a non-school weekday. Among them, 47 households said they would require childcare support, and 82 indicated they might need it.

Financial pressures were a significant driver behind MCC’s exploration of the four-day model. The district experienced a notable decline in enrollment during the 2023–24 school year, resulting in an estimated revenue loss of $210,000. Coupled with rising costs and insufficient adjustments in state aid to match inflation, the district has faced growing budget challenges.

Under the proposed four-day schedule, MCC planned to extend each school day by 30 minutes to maintain the state-mandated 1,020 instructional hours annually. The model is currently in use in seven other Minnesota districts, including MACCRAY in Clara City, which has followed the schedule since 2006.

With the denial of the application, MCC’s administration and school board are preparing to make operational adjustments to close a projected $350,000 budget gap.

Potential cost-saving measures may include staffing reductions and increased class sizes. Administrative, teaching, and student activity budgets are all under review as part of the district’s cost-cutting efforts.

The district now turns its attention to planning for the 2025–26 academic year within the traditional school week framework.

MCC leaders plan to continue working with community stakeholders to explore new strategies to support students while managing ongoing financial pressures.

Upcoming Area Events

 🗓️ Have an event to add? Send us the details!

Friday, May 2nd

  • Boulder Creek City Wide Garage Sale

    • Furniture, home decor, clothing, craft, supplies, books & more

    • 604 Village Drive in Marshall from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Saturday, May 3rd

  • Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser for Food4Kids at Applebee’s in Marshall from 8:00 - 10:00 AM

Monday, May 5th

  • Marshall Area Cancer Support Group Meetings at Living Word Lutheran Church in Marshall at 6:00 PM

    • For patients, survivors, and caregivers looking for support

Wednesday, May 7th (first Wednesday of every month)

  • Dementia Caregiver Support Group from 10:00 - 11:30 AM at Adult Community Center in Marshall

    • Open to everyone, come when you can, no cost or obligation to attend, refreshments available

    • For questions contact Jane Nelson Como (507) 829-1143

Thursday, May 8th - Saturday, May 10th

  • Spring 2025 Rummage Sale in Cottonwood

Sunday, May 4th
Saturday, May 10th
Saturday, May 17th

  • Made in Minnesota Craft Beer & Wine Festival at the Red Baron Arena in Marshall from 3:00 - 6:00 PM

Sunday, June 1 - Wednesday, June 4

  • 2025 First Lutheran VBS in Marshall from 4:00-7:15pm (Snack and Supper Included)

Wednesday, June 4th (first Wednesday of every month)

  • Dementia Caregiver Support Group from 10:00 - 11:30 AM at Adult Community Center in Marshall

    • Open to everyone, come when you can, no cost or obligation to attend, refreshments available

    • For questions contact Jane Nelson Como (507) 829-1143

Special Community Events

  • SAIL: Stay Active & Independent For Life brought to you by A.C.E. of SW MN

    • a total of 24 classes every Tuesday and Thursday

    • from April 29 - July 17 from 9:30 - 10:30 AM at the YMCA in Marshall

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