MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Hennepin County Invites Young Leaders to Help Shape the Future of Public Libraries

BROOKLYN PARK, MN (June 22, 2026) At a time when public institutions across the country are searching for ways to engage younger generations, Hennepin County Library is pursuing a strategy that is both simple and ambitious: give young people a seat at the table.

Applications are now open for the 2026–27 Hennepin County Library Youth Advisory Committee, a countywide civic leadership initiative that places teenagers and young adults directly into conversations about public services, community needs, library programs, technology access, and the future direction of one of Minnesota's largest public library systems.

The opportunity, promoted by local governments including the City of Brooklyn Park, offers eligible youth a chance to move beyond being consumers of public services and become active participants in shaping them.

Fourteen young people from across Hennepin County will be selected to serve on the advisory committee, providing recommendations and feedback to library leadership while gaining firsthand experience in public service, civic engagement, and organizational decision-making.

For many participants, the experience may become their first meaningful encounter with local government, public administration, and community leadership.

Bringing Youth Voices Into Public Decision-Making

The Youth Advisory Committee was established to ensure that young residents have a direct voice in conversations affecting services they use and communities they call home.

Rather than relying solely on surveys or occasional feedback sessions, Hennepin County Library has built a formal structure through which youth perspectives can be incorporated into planning and decision-making processes.

Committee members are appointed by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners, giving the program an official role within county government.

The structure is designed to ensure geographic representation throughout Hennepin County. Two youth members will be appointed from each of the county's seven commissioner districts, creating a fourteen-member committee that reflects the diversity of communities stretching from Brooklyn Park and Minneapolis to Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Bloomington, Maple Grove, and surrounding areas.

Selected members will serve a term running from September 2026 through June 2027 and will receive a stipend in recognition of their participation and contributions.

For county officials, the committee serves a dual purpose: improving library services while cultivating the next generation of civic leaders.

Understanding One of Minnesota's Largest Public Institutions

To many residents, libraries remain associated primarily with books, study spaces, and quiet reading rooms.

The reality is far broader.

Hennepin County Library operates one of the largest public library systems in Minnesota, providing access to technology, digital resources, workforce development assistance, literacy programs, educational services, cultural programming, research tools, meeting spaces, and community events that reach hundreds of thousands of residents annually.

The Youth Advisory Committee offers participants an opportunity to see how those services are planned, funded, managed, and evaluated.

According to program information released by the library system, committee members will learn how the organization functions, identify issues they believe deserve attention, and collaborate with library staff and subject-matter experts on projects and recommendations.

Officials have emphasized that the committee is intended to move beyond symbolic participation.

When feasible, ideas and recommendations developed by committee members may help inform future programming, services, outreach efforts, and operational initiatives.

The goal is not simply to ask young people what they think, but to create a structure where those ideas can influence real-world outcomes.

A Year of Civic Learning

Participation requires a significant commitment.

Committee members will meet monthly on the third Thursday of each month from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ridgedale Library in Minnetonka.

Members must also attend a Library Board meeting in June 2027, where they will present findings, recommendations, and reflections from their year of service directly to library leadership.

Additional responsibilities may include small-group projects, collaborative assignments, research efforts, and planning activities outside regularly scheduled meetings.

The experience is designed to provide more than knowledge of library operations.

Participants will develop skills in communication, leadership, collaboration, public speaking, critical thinking, and consensus building—abilities that often translate into future educational, professional, and civic opportunities.

Reducing Barriers to Participation

One notable feature of the program is its effort to ensure access for participants regardless of economic circumstances.

Recognizing that transportation and technology can sometimes limit participation in civic programs, Hennepin County Library has committed to providing support when needed.

According to program materials, participants may receive assistance with transportation, internet connectivity, and technology access to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent qualified youth from serving.

The approach reflects a broader commitment to equitable participation and recognizes that leadership opportunities should be accessible to young people throughout the county, regardless of household resources.

Who Can Apply

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be between 16 and 19 years old.

• Reside in Hennepin County.

• Be available to serve from September 2026 through June 2027.

• Commit to monthly meetings and committee responsibilities.

Library officials say ideal candidates are individuals who are interested in sharing community perspectives, learning how public institutions operate, and collaborating with others to improve services for residents throughout the county.

No previous government or leadership experience is required.

Investing in Future Leaders

The significance of the program extends beyond libraries.

Across Minnesota and the nation, educators, public officials, and community leaders continue searching for ways to increase civic participation among younger generations.

Programs like the Youth Advisory Committee provide practical opportunities for young people to learn how public institutions function while contributing meaningful ideas and perspectives.

For Brooklyn Park and other Hennepin County communities, the initiative represents an investment not only in better library services but also in the development of future leaders who understand how local government works and how community decisions are made.

At a moment when public institutions often struggle to connect with younger audiences, Hennepin County Library is betting that engagement begins with inclusion.

The library system is inviting young residents to help shape its future, while giving them an opportunity to help shape their own.

Applications for the 2026–27 Hennepin County Library Youth Advisory Committee are open through Tuesday, June 30, 2026. Additional information and application materials are available through Hennepin County Library's official website.

To learn more and apply, visit: https://www.hclib.org/about/news/2026/May/youth-advisory-committee

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