Dakota County Library Foundation

The Dakota County Library Foundation’s goal is to support and provide resources for programs and services beyond the public funding available to the Dakota County Library and to champion the library’s role in the community.

Highlights from the Foundation

Annual Poetry Contest
Over 190 individuals participated in Dakota County Library’s annual Poetry Contest which is a 22% increase in participation from the previous year. The Poetry Contest supports local poets of all ages, creative writing, and community connection to the library. The parents of one student, who placed second in the 12-14 ages category, reached out to the Library to express appreciation of how the contest encourages their children’s writing confirming program goals. They wrote: 

“thank you so much for this honor for Rebecca!  She really puts her heart into her writing. This means the WORLD to her, to be recognized for her poem. Thank you so very very much.  You have really encouraged Rebecca, in continuing to pursue her writing abilities.” 

Winning poems are published on the Dakota County Library website (search poetry). The program is made possible with sponsorship from the Dakota County Library Foundation.

Dakota County Jail

In 2018 Foundation funding bought books to support the Dakota County Library’s partnership with the Dakota County Jail.  67 incarcerated parents and caregivers learned early literacy activities to promote school readiness in Library lead workshops and received books to share with their children. 88% of respondents said they are very likely to engage with their child in activities learned in the program.