Legislature > LRL Home > Mission & Collection
Mission & Collection
Mission
The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library (LRL) serves the Legislature and the citizens of Minnesota by assuring access to essential information resources that support the legislative process and promote the understanding of state government. LRL is committed to maintaining a print and electronic collection of current and historical materials to support effective public policy development, and to document the work of the Minnesota Legislature.
Highlights of the Library's Collection
- Books and reports - The Library's premier
state public policy collection of print and digital
materials focuses on state-level issues and comparative
statistics.
- State Documents -
LRL is Minnesota's depository library for state
agency and consultants reports. (Minnesota
Statutes 3.302, 3.225)
The Library's catalog links
to digital copies of state agency documents (Minnesota
Edocs) stored by the Library. The digital copies
are from 2004 to the present, with older documents
added on a selected, ongoing basis. more..
- Mandated reports - The
Library tracks, acquires, and makes available electronically
all reports required by the Legislature. Over 5000
titles have been added since 1969. more..
- Magazines - State
and national journals cover a wide
range of legislative policy areas. more,
including lists and indexes..
- Newspapers - The
Library subscribes
to national and state newspapers in print and purchases
access to many digital newspapers for legislative
users. more,
including indexes..
- News clippings - Extensive
print clipping files from 1970-2009 are available.
The Library maintains a current in-house electronic
Library
News Archive for legislative users.
- Legislators Past and Present -
Biographical records and details about each term
of service are available for all legislators back
to statehood.
- Historical statistics and background - The Library's
legislative
state government historical
information includes searchable databases for gubernatorial vetoes,
executive orders,
and constitutional amendments.
Information by legislative session is compiled in
the Legislative Time Capsule. In addition,
the Library has extensive print files and notebooks on legislative and
state government history, including governors, elections, and state agencies.
- Legislative History - The Legislative
History Collection includes Senate and House
historical committee materials. The Library's detailed
guide lists the availability and location
of print and digital resources. Staff members
are experienced and knowledgeable about the often
complicated process of researching legislative
history. more..
- Links
to the World - Library staff compile subject-based
pages of links to relevant public policy
Internet sites, with
a focus on Minnesota agencies and organizations.
- Resources
on Minnesota Issues - Information
guides on
pertinent legislative issues pull together books,
articles, and Web resources.
Library Subcommittee
The Legislative Reference Library is a joint legislative
agency under the Legislative
Coordinating Commission.
Each biennium a Library Subcommittee made of up four
legislators, two from each body, is appointed.