News Release
Great River Regional Library
GRRL Headquarters:
1300 W. St. Germain St.
St. Cloud, MN 56301
320-650-2500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Breanne Fruth
Communications and Development Coordinator
320-650-2532
Subject: Foley Library Hours Reduction Effective July 6
Benton County’s decision at their County Board Work Session on June 22 results in Great River Regional Library (GRRL)’s Foley branch losing three open hours. The majority of County Commissioners decided not to fulfill Benton County’s 2026 obligation to the library system that was approved in July 2025 by the GRRL Board of Trustees.
“This is a very sad situation, and one that we had hoped would not come to pass,” shares Brandi Canter, GRRL Executive Director. GRRL serves six counties in Central Minnesota: Todd, Morrison, Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, and Wright. The Joint Powers Agreement for GRRL describes how those six counties work together to provide library services to their residents. “Unfortunately, Benton County is acting outside of that agreement,” Canter adds.
GRRL provides staffing, technology, and books to the public. Each county in the library system provides funding for their residents to have access to library service at whatever GRRL location is most convenient to them. The city (where each of GRRL’s 32 libraries are located) is responsible for the library building, its maintenance and furnishings. GRRL’s mission is to serve all Central Minnesotans with library collections and services, which is what the budget supports. Amongst the counties, cities, and GRRL system, we can provide a meaningful library resource to Central Minnesotans.
“We regret lessening library open hours because the City of Foley is a great partner and provides a great facility,” Canter adds. Since Benton County decided against paying its full 2026 contribution, GRRL is forced to make internal changes while not disadvantaging the five counties that have paid their full amount.
Beginning Monday, July 6, the library will be reduced by three hours – one each at the end of the day on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Here is an overview of the current schedule and the new schedule at the Foley Public Library:
Current Schedule New Schedule
Monday 1 – 7 p.m. 1 – 7 p.m.
Tuesday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1 – 6 p.m. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1 – 6 p.m.
Wednesday 1 – 7 p.m. 1 – 6 p.m.
Thursday 1 – 6 p.m. 1 – 5 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1 – 6 p.m. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1 – 5 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Great River Regional Library (GRRL) provides library services at 32 public libraries and one to-go system in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright Counties. GRRL2GO is a locker system that allows you to pick up items at the Sartell Community Center. GRRL supplies the residents of Central Minnesota with nearly 1 million books, CDs and DVDs, 250 public computers, and information services.
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