Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.
| (i)Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 9 above (see instructions)) | (iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document? | (v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions) | (vi) Amount of other support (see instructions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |||||
| Total | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any unusual grants.) .... | 216,819 | 216,842 | 219,410 | 218,825 | 218,730 | 1,090,626 |
| 2 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf....... | 0 | |||||
| 3 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | 0 | |||||
| 4 | Total. Add lines 1 through 3 | 216,819 | 216,842 | 219,410 | 218,825 | 218,730 | 1,090,626 |
| 5 | The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f).. | 0 | |||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 1,090,626 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 216,819 | 216,842 | 219,410 | 218,825 | 218,730 | 1,090,626 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 3,983 | 2,306 | 2,059 | 1,261 | 963 | 10,572 |
| 9 | Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.. | ||||||
| 10 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.).. | 0 | |||||
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10. | 1,101,198 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") . | ||||||
| 2 | Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose...... | ||||||
| 3 | Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513... | ||||||
| 4 | Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf... | ||||||
| 5 | The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge.. | ||||||
| 6 | Total. Add lines 1 through 5. | ||||||
| 7a | Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons... | ||||||
| b | Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 7a and 7b.. | ||||||
| 8 | Public support. (Subtract line 7c from line 6.) | ||||||
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2011 | (b) 2012 | (c) 2013 | (d) 2014 | (e) 2015 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Amounts from line 6... | ||||||
| 10a | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources.. | ||||||
| b | Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975. | ||||||
| c | Add lines 10a and 10b. | ||||||
| 11 | Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on. | ||||||
| 12 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.) .. | ||||||
| 13 | Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.).. | ||||||
| Section A - Adjusted Net Income | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
||||
| 1 | Net short-term capital gain | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Other gross income (see instructions) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Add lines 1 through 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Depreciation and depletion | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Other expenses (see instructions) | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4) | 8 | ||||
| Section B - Minimum Asset Amount | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
||||
| 1 | Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year): | 1 | ||||
| a | Average monthly value of securities | 1a | ||||
| b | Average monthly cash balances | 1b | ||||
| c | Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets | 1c | ||||
| d | Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c) | 1d | ||||
| e |
Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI): |
|||||
| 2 | Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Subtract line 2 from line 1d | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 1-1/2% of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions). | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3) | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Multiply line 5 by .035 | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6) | 8 | ||||
| Section C - Distributable Amount | Current Year | |||||
| 1 | Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A) | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Enter 85% of line 1 | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Enter greater of line 2 or line 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Income tax imposed in prior year | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| Section D - Distributions | Current Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes | ||
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
||
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | ||
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | ||
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required) | ||
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | ||
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | ||
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
||
| 9 Distributable amount for 2015 from Section C, line 6 | ||
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | ||
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2015 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2015 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
Distributable amount for 2015 from Section C, line 6 |
||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2015 (reasonable cause required--see instructions) |
||||
| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2015: | ||||
| a | ||||
| b | ||||
| c | ||||
| d From 2013....... | ||||
| e From 2014....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2015 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2010 not applied (see instructions) |
||||
| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2015 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2015 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2015, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2 (if amount greater than zero, see instructions) |
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|
6
Remaining underdistributions for 2015. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1 (if amount greater than zero, see instructions) |
||||
|
7 Excess distributions carryover to 2016. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a | ||||
| b | ||||
| c Excess from 2013....... | ||||
| d From 2014....... | ||||
| e From 2015....... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
|---|
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|
| Software ID: | 15000324 |
| Software Version: | 2015v3.0 |
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b: Form 990 Review Process | THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REVIEWS THE DRAFT OF THE FORM 990 AND THE FORM 990 IS PROVIDED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c: Explanation of Monitoring and Enforcement of Conflicts | BOARD MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES ARE COVERED BY THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REVIEWS THE CONFLICT FORMS ANNUALLY. IF A POTENTIAL CONFLICT EXISTS, THE BOARD MEMBER WOULD BE ASKED TO LEAVE DURING THE DISCUSSION OF AND VOTE ON THE ISSUE. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 15a: Compensation Review & Approval Process - CEO, Top Management | A FORMAL REVIEW IS COMPLETED ANNUALLY. COMPARABILITY DATA IS USED TO COMPARE COMPENSATION THROUGH THE MINNESOTA PAY EQUITY REPORT. THE NLLN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FORMAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND A RECOMMENDATION TO THE ENTIRE BOARD THAT VOTES TO APPROVE. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Line 19: Other Organization Documents Publicly Available | Upon request. Held in NLLN's Policy Handbook and signed yearly by NLLN Governing Board. |
| PART III, LINE 4A | I.CIVIC SUPPORT AND CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIESAs a valued and trusted civic resource, libraries are in a key position to empower citizens to become actively engaged in the democratic process. Community engagement programming leads to optimism, individual well-being, and overall civic health. Libraries bring people together in a nonpartisan way and provide them with un-biased facts in an impartial environment. As publicly supported entities, libraries are uniquely positioned to address the information needs of the people they serve through the use of physical space, technology, books, and skilled staff. Develop talking points and library stories that can be shared among libraries.A.Library Luncheon with LegislatorsThe third annual Library Luncheon with Legislators was held Saturday, February 13th, from 11:30 A.M. - 1 P.M. on the campus of Minnesota State University Moorhead in the Comstock Memorial Union, Room 203. We began the conversation with lunch from 11:30 A.M 12 P.M., and then proceeded to hear from librarians in the region about their constituents and issues of importance to them (from 12 noon - 1 P.M.) This year, nine library leaders spoke, followed by three legislators. A list of attendees is below.Conversations with legislators, such as NLLNs Library Luncheon with Legislators, forms positive relationships among legislators and librarians, ensuring on-going library support for constituents in our region. Librarians in our region actively seek on-going support for libraries in order to improve service delivery and continue to serve citizens in the state of Minnesota adequately.B.The Life Achievement Award from Northern Lights Library Network (NLLN) signifies a contribution to the NLLN region from a citizen who has given extraordinary service to libraries throughout a career. The award is given once a year upon the recommendation of the executive director or a governing board member. |
| PART III, LINE 4A | II.ACTIVITIES THAT BRING ALL LIBRARIES TOGETHERThe ability of libraries of all types in the region to communicate freely with each other, to collaborate on projects that enhance the services of libraries in the region, and strengthen rural libraries and communities as a result. A.Campbell-Tintah School LibraryNLLN supported the online transition from a card catalog to an online, Summers 2015 and 2016. Over 9,000 books in the elementary library were cataloged and received barcodes, Summer 2015. Over 7,000 items in the high school library were cataloged and received barcodes, by the end of June, 2016. Seven professional volunteers served the Campbell School libraries over two summers.B.Laporte School LibraryTo address the needs for renovation at the Laporte School Library, the architect, David Crutchfield, NDSU, met at Laporte School Library on July 15, 2015, to plan the renovation. C.Bemidji Middle School LibraryThe Bemidji Middle School library is under renovation and NDSU Architect, David Crutchfield, graciously offered to visit the library to offer suggestions for renovation. NLLN covered mileage and a gift card for $100 for Davids trip to the school library on April 15th. D.Tribal College Library DirectorsThe tribal college librarians in the region have begun to meet quarterly. The fall quarterly meeting was September 28th in Red Lake, the winter meeting was January 25, 2016, at the White Earth Tribal College in Mahnomen and the spring meeting was at Leech Lake Tribal College in Cass Lake on May 11th. A new library will be opening at the White Earth Tribal College this summer and they need help moving and shelving the collection. NLLN participates in these meetings and assisted in forming tribal college libraries vision, mission, and values statements. A main concern and on-going need is archives to properly house, preserve, and secure Ojibwe artifacts.E.Zion Lutheran Church LibraryBook processing and cataloging occurred at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria for the books received from a Thrivent grant Kathy Enger and Kari Anderson wrote. Work continued on August 20 and was completed September 4. One hundred books for the church library were organized for check-out. Thank you to Glenn Heinecke for working on this project. F.The Christiansen Library, Lutheran Brethren SeminaryExecutive Director Kathy Enger is meeting with Brent Andrews of the Christiansen Library at the Lutheran Brethren Seminary to determine library needs there. The library was given an organizational agreement to become a member of NLLN. G.School Library at St. Josephs School MoorheadExecutive Director Kathy Enger met with Dawn Barrera at the St. Joesephs School library on April 8 to determine library needs. This is Dawns first year managing the St. Josephs School Library.H.River Cities Literary Arts CenterA literary center is forming in the Fargo Moorhead region similar to the Loft in the Twin Cities. Kathy Enger is serving on the introductory board and meetings are on-going.I.Bookends were donated from the Livingston Lord Library, Minnesota State University Moorhead and sent to Moorhead Public Schools, Bemidji Middle School, Horace May Elementary in Bemidji, Angle Inlet School, Fisher School, Red Lake Tribal College Library, and Waubun School.J.InternshipsThree MSUM interns began January, 2016, and created a concept map of the library of the future in order to integrate the ideas into NLLNs website. All three interns donated their time and a very special thank you goes to: Madeline Dixon, Ally Sanford, and Mindy Kraft. Madeline and Ally will return to work with NLLN in Fall, 2016. K.The Library of the FutureA qualitative survey is underway to find out from people everywhere what will be needed in the Library of the Future. NLLN is undertaking this research in order to design a website that reflects the Library of the Future. Funding will be sought for this initiative and NLLN is working with Factor-of-4 to create a website. Access to the qualitative survey is on NLLNs website at nlln.org and at this link:https://ndstate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3wLyQQ8538x3owtThe survey asks, Why do people need libraries? Write as much as you like.L.Minnesota Book AwardsExecutive Director Kathy Enger served on a committee with the Minnesota Books Awards. M.The Planetarium, MSUMKathy is working with MSUM Planetarium director, Sara Schultz, and the Scholastic FACE program, Building Home Libraries, to give books to school children in the region who attend shows at the Planetarium. Sara delivers over 100 programs to school children a year that include curricula such as Back to the Moon, Cosmic Colors, One World One Sky, Larry Cat in Space, Sky Zoo, and more. |
| PART III, LINE 4A | III.CONDUCT RESEARCH of the skills media specialists impart to students through a comprehensive review and analysis of the literature and interviews of library media personnel in the region to increase awareness of the importance of and need for library media centers and address concerns about the loss of certified teacher librarians managing library media centers. Conducting research and writing an article. |
| PART III, LINE 4A | IV.SUPPORT LITERACY INITIATIVES AMONG ALL TYPES OF LIBRARIESFrom early reading activities to advanced literary discussions, library literacy initiatives bring people together to get to know books in enjoyable and satisfying situations. Literacy promotes personal improvement and enlightenment, ensures equality, dignifies, and creates prosperity. A.Career development, professional engagement, scholarships, and library service funding for staff and library board member participation in continuing education programs, events, and participation at national and international conferences for library professionals in the region who may not be able to attend without the support of Northern Lights Library Network (NLLN). Continuing education scholarships are awarded as incentive for individual growth and development in order to enhance library services throughout the NLLN region. Scholarships are available to all employees of NLLN member libraries. Scholarships may be used for the following purposes: Registration or tuition; Lodging; Meals; Transportation (mileage is for the use of a personal vehicle only one person in a vehicle may request mileage); Parking; Required books or educational materials; Cost of a substitute to cover while applicant is at an event (applicant must have paid the cost of a substitute before requesting reimbursement). Reports summarizing the benefits of receiving the scholarships are required upon completion of continuing education opportunity.B.On-going library administrative and technical support for the White Earth Child Care/Early Childhood Program (WECC/ECP) as they prepared a new community library, Maamigin Achigaazo. A physical space for a community library, computers and desks for circulation of books and public use of the space, and books and library materials for the community library space. White Earth held a Grand Opening August 21st at its new community library (Maamigin Achigaazo) in a modular building outside the old Circle of Life school in White Earth. Funding from the $121,000 IMLS grant was used to purchase $50,000 worth of books, along with adding eighteen Little Free Libraries to the community. Furniture from the MSUM library renovation is in the library. The library is also known as the White Earth Tribal Community Library.C.Poets Across Minnesota: Encourages the love of reading, literature, and the spoken word by sponsoring poetry readings and events for regional poets in and through libraries in the region. Sponsoring poetry in and through libraries promotes the value of libraries. Poetry becomes accessible to high school students and others who may not always think of themselves as potential poets, allowing them to move beyond observing and reading to actually engaging in the writing process and speaking what they write. Poetry in and through libraries extends literacy because it is linguistically rich and as a genre that is read aloud, makes literature a public event. While it is understood that poetry is currently taught, poetry holds the promise of exciting students and others about the richness of language. Improved reading scores on standardized tests in the region could be the result. The backbone of Poets Across Minnesota is its close partnership with libraries. The act of writing creates empowered readers and writers and promotes the value of libraries in civic life. Poets Across Minnesota places the value of libraries in front of citizens by teaching students to learn, write, and speak poetry. Literacy promotes democracy and dignifies, and libraries are at the core of all that. Poets Across Minnesota is a program initiated by Northern Lights Library Network during FY13. 1.Thirty-five broadsides each of poets in the NLLN region, Belar, Bennett, Dolence, Lajimoidiere, Vinz, and Zepper have been created by Patrick Vincent, professor of visual arts at MSUM and are for sale at $25/each to raise funds for NLLNs scholarship fund. 2.School Readings and Instruction Poet Professor Zeppers visits included the following public schools: Campbell (two hundred students), Kittson Central (eighty students), and Moorhead (forty-five students). Zepper taught approximately eighty students in Language Arts, Journalism, and Speech classes at Kittson Central. School Language Arts teacher and librarian, Tina Turn, invited Zepper to Kittson Central. Roseau Media Specialist, Glenn Heinecke, invited Poet Professor Zepper to Roseau on March 14 where Zepper visited nine classes at the media center (approximately one hundred and fifty students) and talked about writing poetry with them. NLLN paid mileage and gave a $100 gift card to Zepper for the trip. NLLN Intern, Aleta Sanford, who is from Roseau and was on spring break, assisted Zepper with some of the classes. Beads on One String poet/singer, Dennis Warner, visited South Elementary in Kensington on Tuesday, March 8, 2016, and Elbow Lake North Elementary on Wednesday, March 9, 2016. NLLN sponsored Warners visit to Kensington and Elbow Lake (approximately 600 students).D.Training for librarians in the region assists them in keeping up with the rapidly changing library environment. It has been determined that five areas of training need to be continually addressed. Trainers individually guide each librarian/paraprofessional in the areas of: 1. The Electronic library of Minnesota (ELM). 2. Electronic devices. 3. Apps. for libraries and schools. 4. The library catalog. 5. Access to public library cards for students. Train-the-Trainers: Northern Lights Library Network Train-the-Trainers model is based on practical adult learning principles linked to skill building, whereby:Learning is self-directed. Learning fills an immediate need and is highly participatory.Learning will be helpful and applicable in the work setting. Learning is experiential whereby participants and trainers learn from one another. Training encompasses time for reflection and feedback. A mutually respectful environment is created among trainers and trainers-in-training. A summary of the learning that takes place will be completed at the end of the training.E.eBook access for middle and high school students throughout the NLLN region. Many students living within the counties served by Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL) and Northwest Regional Library (NWRL) have been issued iPads or tablets by their schools. LARL and NWRL have seen a steady increase in the use of eBook and eAudiobook collections. Teachers and media specialists from across the region have contacted LARL and NWRL, asking how their students can obtain access to eBooks and eAudiobooks. LARL and NWRL are encouraging schools, teachers, and students to register for LARL and NWRL library cards to access the eBook services provided to them through their public library. |
| PART III, LINE 4A | V.Support existing catalog structure in regional schools by providing training to library media personnel using the Destiny catalog.VI.Access online bibliographic materials using the OCLC union catalog.VII.Facilitate communication about the purpose and benefits of libraries to citizens of the region and Develop and continue to maintain electronic and social media methods for communicating with members. |
| Software ID: | 15000324 |
| Software Version: | 2015v3.0 |