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About ECRL
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E-Connect, our e-newsletter: sent via email the 15th of each month. You may request that a copy be sent to you by sending your email address to ecregion @ ecrlib.org (spaces added to avoid address from being harvested for spam purposes. Remove spaces when sending email)
East Central Regional Library is a consolidated library system with 14 libraries and Outreach van service to 7 communities and 2 library link sites. ECRL serves residents in the counties of Aitkin, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine. Refer to ECRL Branches for more information about individual libraries and Outreach services.
East Central Regional Library Headquarters is in the basement of the Cambridge Public Library. ECRL is governed by a Board of Directors.
The East Central Library System has 89,700 registered library cardholders. The online catalog for the 14 branch libraries has 396,800 items. Cardholders can request items through the online catalog from other branches. ECRL is also part of the statewide MnLINK catalog, which provides access and request capabilities for almost all other Minnesota libraries of all types. ECRL provides delivery service to bring requested items to a cardholder's local library. 80 trained staff members serve as information guides to help people find the information they need.
In 2012, ECRL libraries were visited 571,516 times and 870,426 items were checked out. ECRL's public computers were used 106,839 times and many others accessed the broadband wireless network with their personal laptops or other wireless devices. Additionally, ECRL and state resources provide magazines, encyclopedias, and research databases via the Internet 24/7 through authentication with an ECRL library card.
ECRL is one of 12 Regional Library Systems in Minnesota established according to Minnesota Statute 134.20.
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