Services for the Legislature
The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library provides comprehensive library services, including custom current awareness services, for legislators and legislative staff. To sign up for these services, or for further information on any library service, email a librarian or call 651-296-8338.
Reference Services: Using a variety of print and electronic sources, experienced library staff help legislators and staff obtain information. We have access to databases such as LexisNexis, DIALOG, and Factiva. The Library can get books and articles from other libraries for legislators and staff. All requests are confidential and all library staff are nonpartisan.
Electronic Services: Users within the Capitol Complex can access the library's electronic services via the library website. From their desks, legislators and staff will find the full text of newspapers such as the Star Tribune or Pioneer Press, as well as online magazine indexes with many full text articles.
Inside Issues: This popular service alerts legislators and full-time staff to the latest magazine articles and books on topics they choose. Choose from an extensive list of issues. Library staff scan magazines and new books daily and notify subscribers of articles which match their interests. Subscribers receive a weekly customized list of citations from which they can request books or copies of articles. Sign up for Inside Issues!
Contents Pages Service: Subscribers receive the tables of contents for journals they select and can then order copies of any articles of interest. Sign up for Contents Pages Service!
Just In: New and Notable Books & Reports is a monthly selected list divided by subject categories. Minnesota agency publications and legislatively mandated reports are clearly marked on the list. If you do not already receive a copy and would like to, contact the reference desk at 651-296-8338 or via email. (Note: While this publication highlighting new Library materials is designed for legislators and legislative staff, many of the items noted are also available via the Web and accessible to all users of the website.)
Resources on Minnesota Issues: Guides to information resources are compiled by staff at the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library on topics of interest to Minnesota legislators. They are designed to provide an introduction to a topic, directing the user to a variety of sources, and are not intended to be exhaustive. In particular, the resources guides focus on items available in the Legislative Reference Library.
Reports Mandated by the Legislature: Legislative Reference Library staff track all reports mandated by the Legislature and obtain copies for the Library's collection.
Training: Librarians provide group or individual training sessions on library research and effective Internet searching. Classes can cover general library print and electronic materials, or focus on specific resources, such as "Using the Legislative website Effectively."
Tours: For a tour of the library at a time convenient for you, contact us at 651-296-8338 or email us.