Free tickets at the library?

In November 2008, Minnesota voters approved a constitutional amendment to dedicate funds for Minnesota's Outdoor Heritage, Clean Water, Parks and Trails, and Arts and Cultural Heritage. Under the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF) Minnesota's 300+ public libraries receive funding distributed through existing formulas to the 12 Minnesota Regional Library Systems to provide programs and services in four areas: arts (visual, performing and media), culture, literary and Minnesota history. The law states that these funds are intended "for regional programs and working with arts and cultural partners."

So, we've had free tickets for various things at the library for awhile. Now the cycle of the legacy grant is over, and there is an evaluation period before "the powers that be" decide whether or how to continue this program.

I got to take a trip to the Great Lakes Aquarium, the Judy Garland & Children's Museum, the Minnesota Discovery Center, and sent my kids and their grandmother to the Forest History Center (haven't made it there yet, but I'm really wanting to go!) What a great opportunity to see some things that you may not otherwise take the time to see. I had never been to a couple of those places; and now that I've been, I feel I'm more likely to return.

If you took the opportunity to use some of the free tickets available at your library, let your legislators know. You may only get a form letter back, but at least you've put it out there and have increased the chance that we'll get a repeat of the grant we were given to provide those tickets. Tell them how much you enjoyed the experience. Let them know that the free tickets were appreciated during these tough economic times. Clue them in on how much fun you had while learning something.

Here's the information for our local state legislators:

Senator Tom Saxhaug
sen.tom.saxhaug@senate.mn
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
State Office Building, Room 135
St. Paul, MN 55155-1206
651.296.4136

Representative Tom Anzelc
rep.tom.alzelc@house.mn
307 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155
651-296-4936 or 800-336-9124