General Questions
What is the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF)?
The Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF) was created by the people of Minnesota to support the arts and preserve our cultural heritage. The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment was passed overwhelmingly by Minnesota voters in November 2008. This electoral decision created new resources for land conservation, water conservation, parks, and the arts. A portion of these funds has been appropriated to regional library systems to support programs and services at local libraries and to partner with community organizations to enrich the lives of Minnesota residents.
How are SELCO Library Legacy Funds spent?
Each year SELCO receives around $230,000 in Legacy funding. For FY2023, SELCO has budgeted for the following programs:
Community Collaborations
Community Reads
Digitization
Minnesota Author Tour
SELCO Vetted Programs
How long will these funds be available?
Funding for regional library systems via the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund is disbursed each fiscal year. The Legacy Program Librarian at SELCO applies for funding in July and the state notifies SELCO of its funding allotment in September. Following notification of the allotment, Legacy spending in the region can comment. The Minnesota Legislature has the opportunity to revise funding disbursal on a biennial schedule. Funding levels to the specific regional libraries may fluctuate based on the formula used by the State Library.
Can I charge admission at an ACHF-sponsored event?
No, although a free-will offering or “suggested donation” is allowable. According to former State Librarian Suzanne Miller, neither admission nor registration fees should be charged for any event receiving Library Legacy funding. This decision is based on two philosophical library positions:
Traditionally, libraries have offered free programs and are perceived as that “free” source of information and recreation.
Library Legacy funds are about creating “access” for those who may not have had access to such events previously, either due to geography or finances.
What is the Arts & Cultural Heritage logo? Do I have to use this?
All publicity for Arts & Cultural Heritage programming must include credit to SELCO and the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF). You must include the ACHF Legacy logo and the SELCO logoon all materials promoting programs funded through Legacy Funding. These logos can be downloaded from the Legacy Logos page. Failure to comply with requirements pertaining to Legacy Logos may result in loss of funding for current or future Legacy grants and/or reimbursement of grant dollars already spent.
When and how should I use an acknowledgement statement for Legacy funding?
It is important to introduce all Legacy programs/project with a statement acknowledging that the program was funded with Legacy dollars. In addition, publicity where the logos can not be displayed, such as newspaper articles and radio and television announcements should also include the statement of acknowledgement. Use the following phrase (the exact wording does not need to be followed): "This project/program is made possible by the people of Minnesota through Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Library Legacy fund, in cooperation with our regional library system, SELCO."
How can I see what’s been spent in my area?
SELCO tracks all projects based on city, county and Minnesota House District. For more information please contact SELCO's Legacy Program Librarian.