SELCO, Southeastern Libraries Cooperating, and SELS, Southeast Library System, are sister organizations sharing geographic boundaries and fostering cooperation among all types of libraries in the 11 southeastern counties. SELS contracts with SELCO to provide multitype services and shares a Board of Directors as outlined in Minnesota Statutes.This integrated approach to regional library service ensures a high level of efficiency and effective communication, and is unique in Minnesota's regional library structure.
The joint SELCO/SELS operations share office space at:
2600 19th Street NW
Rochester MN 55901
507-288-5513 / 800-992-5061 / FAX: 507-288-8697
Our regular business hours are: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Information Services staff may be contacted Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., with on-call services available evenings, weekends, and holidays.
SELCO, Southeastern Libraries Cooperating, is one of Minnesota's 12 regional public library systems . Its membership is a federation of locally autonomous public libraries and 11 counties. This unique blend of rural and urban members presents challenges and surprises in meeting the diverse needs of the consortium members and the patrons served by the libraries.
SELCO partners with participating libraries to ensure equitable access to quality service. SELCO solicits member input when designing and providing services. The current product line includes:
- Managing a variety of technology services that includes operating the regional integrated library system for the resource sharing of over 3.5 million items.
- Providing delivery among libraries and handling approximately 4,000 items daily.
- Providing public and staff access to the Internet and managing a wide-area telecommunications network.
- Licensing a variety of electronic resources to supplement conventional library materials and free online sources.
- Providing continuing education opportunities to library staff, trustees, and library volunteers.
- Advocating on behalf of libraries with local, state, and national elected and appointed officials.
- Supporting library programs for library patrons of all ages.
- Undertaking grant writing to supplement SELCO basic operational budget and programs.
SELCO shares contiguous boundaries with SELS, Southeast Library System. Through contract for multitype services, SELCO serves all type of libraries - academic, public, school, and special - in the 11 southeastern counties.
SELCO was established in 1971 as a not-for-profit corporation. SELCO is governed by a Board of Directors as outlined in Minnesota Statutes, 134.20 . SELCO operating revenue is derived from multiple sources of local, state, and federal funds.
SELS, Southeast Library System, is one of Minnesota's seven multi-county, multitype library systems. Its voluntary membership is comprised of 123 academic, public, school, and special libraries.
The SELS Advisory Committee is elected by the member libraries and provides advice on SELS programs and services. The current SELS focus includes resource sharing, automation support, training, and advocacy as priority services.
SELS and SELCO share contiguous boundaries and serve libraries in the 11 southeastern counties. SELS contracts with SELCO to provide multitype services and shares a Board of Directors as outlined in Minnesota Statutes, 134.351 . Operating revenue for SELS is derived from state funds and supplemented with LSTA grants.
SELS Membership Agreement outlines basic tenants of library cooperation
What is SELCO?
SELCO is an acronym that stands for Southeastern Libraries Cooperating. SELCO is one of 12 public library regions specifically created to strengthen, improve and promote public library service. Public libraries and counties belong to SELCO. [Minnesota Statutes 134.20.]
What is SELS?
SELS is an acronym that stands for Southeast Library System. SELS is one of seven multi-county, multitype library systems. The multitype systems compliment the services of existing networks by cooperating with all types of libraries. All types of libraries (academic, public, school, and special) belong to SELS. [Minnesota Statutes 134.351]
Are there membership fees to belong to SELCO or SELS?
No.
Is membership mandatory?
Public library membership in SELCO is voluntary and based on a signed agreement with an automatic renewal clause unless one or the other party chooses to change the relationship. County membership is mandatory by Minnesota Statutes.
SELS membership by all types of libraries -- academic, public, school and special -- is voluntary.
Can my library belong to SELS without being a SELCO Online Library?
Yes, participation in SELCO's integrated library system is not a requirement for SELS membership.
How are these organizations funded?
The largest portion of the SELCO budget consists of state funds appropriated each biennium by the Legislature as basic system support grants. Local property tax dollars also make up a significant portion of SELCO's revenue. The Online Libraries purchase basic and value added technology services. Federal grant funds earned through a competitive application process enable SELCO to undertake unique one-time projects, supplementing the revenue stream.
The SELS budget consists entirely of state funds appropriated by the legislature for the multitype cooperation program. SELS is also eligible to apply for federal funds for special, one-time projects.
Who governs these organizations?
In 1971, SELCO was established as a private nonprofit corporation. The Board of Directors are appointed by the public library and county members of the cooperative. The full board meets quarterly, in July, October, January, and April, and operates with an elected executive committee which takes appropriate action during the intervening months. The SELCO governing board also serves as the SELS multitype governing authority.
Since 1987, SELS has contracted with SELCO for administration, staffing and program implementation, as well as integrated meeting agendas to address SELCO and SELS programs and services.
How do members give input?
The SELCO bylaws specify that the chief administrators of the member libraries are the Executive Director's Advisory Committee. This committee meets at least bimonthly to discuss and recommend regional procedures and programs.
SELS has an elected Advisory Committee consisting of two public library representatives, two representatives of school media services, one representative of special libraries, one representative of public supported academic libraries and one representative of private academic libraries. The SELS Advisory Committee meets quarterly.
How does SELCO/SELS communicate with its members?
SELCO/SELS employs a variety of communication tools including this website, a bimonthly printed newsletter, E-mail, and conventional communication via mail and telephone. In addition, SELCO regularly polls the members of the cooperative and, in recent years, SELCO has also integrated social networking tools including Facebook and Twitter.
Library staff members, local library board members, and Friends of the library are encouraged to attend SELCO/SELS sponsored workshops and continuing education events which offer wide range of information on diverse topics affecting library service.
