When Minnesotans think of transportation we are inclined to think about highways, bridge safety, LRT, buses, Lexus lanes and potholes. The work of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and its network of regional outlets is behind the scenes. And behind all that is the MnDOT library, 395 John Ireland Boulevard, a bustling hub of information housed at the MnDOT building near the Capitol – a mighty little librry that opens the world of transportation-related data, research, digital archives, journals and more to hundreds of MnDOT employees who are working on a vast range of transportation issues – broadly defined to cover a multitude of topics.
The MnDOT Library is in the spotlight these days for an aggressive action campaign to showcase their resources and services. One of the most prestigious awards in the library world is the John Cotton Dana award – and the MnDOT Library is a 2012 winner! No small feat for a modest state agency library pitted again the super stars with gargantuan budgets and legions of professional PR staff.The national award, to be conferred at the annual conference of the American Library Association, asserts that “the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) created the ‘moving knowledge’ campaign to convey updated space and resources and to improve outreach efforts. The space redesign transformed the library from a ‘bland government’ look to a warm and inviting environment.
Much of the work on the outreach campaign was conducted by consultant organizations including Law Library Consultants, Kathleen Bedor, President, and Modern Design Group, Chris Foote President and Diane Foote Design Associates.
This is not the first award for the redesigned MnDOT library. First, the library received an Award of Merit from the Minnesota Association. of Government Communicators. That started the ball rolling – the next award was the 2011 Innovation in Action award from the Minnesota Chapter of the Special Libraries Association.
The MnDOT Library is sponsoring an open house and reception on Thursday, May 3, 10:00 AM-3:00 p.m. Free and open to the public . Contact the Library at library.dot@state.mn.us.
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