NO RUSH ON REAL ID License

The federal government has extended the deadline to get a REAL ID, enhanced driver’s license or other acceptable form of ID to fly within the U.S. or enter some federal facilities.

Citing the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security pushed the deadline back to May 7, 2025. This

Library News for Adults has increased from 3,309 to 5,021 — a 51.7 percent increase. News regarding the COVID-19 vaccine caused our Public Health News for residents to go from 874 subscribers to 3,012 — a more than 244 percent jump.

To subscribe to an e-news service, go to www.dakotacounty.us and search e-news.

is the third time the deadline has been moved due to the pandemic as many states are still dealing with significant licensing backlogs.

As of Jan. 9, 2023, Minnesota has about 1.6 million total REAL ID, enhanced driver’s licenses or compliant ID holders out of 4.65 million. That’s a 35-percent statewide adoption rate for federally compliant credentials.

Dakota County license centers have processed a total of 51,694 applications as of Jan. 9. 2023.

REAL ID and enhanced ID applications are accepted at the Administration Center in Hastings and the Burnsville and Lakeville license centers. For more information, go to www.dakotacounty.us and search driver’s license.

Dakota County Library is an important resource for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Using your library card, taking free classes, accessing online tools, reserving meeting space and more — all designed to help strengthen your business practices.

Register for free classes about operations, business planning, finance and marketing. Classes are led by industry experts and community organizations such as Open to Business, South Metro SCORE and Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Classes are offered in-person or online.

South Metro SCORE volunteers provide mentorship and workshops about the basics of starting a small business, how to create a website and more. Workshops are offered spring 2023. Connect one-to-one over the phone, email or video.

Sign up for classes led by Open to Business, a nonprofit that helps small business owners with marketing planning, tax and accounting training, and how to access financing options.

The library partners with The Loft Literary Center, a group of writing experts who offer classes to help sharpen communication skills like how to use social media to promote your business, copywriting tips and techniques to write a newsletter or blog.

Log into LinkedIn Learning using your library card to access thousands of on-demand instructional videos that cover the latest topics in business, technology and creative skills. All videos are led by professionals. In 2021, more than 1,200 library customers accessed LinkedIn Learning.

Library customers can use meeting rooms to work, host meetings and training sessions, and more. Meeting rooms can accommodate up to 104 people and are equipped with tables and chairs, whiteboards, Wi-Fi, projectors, and audio and video equipment. Equipment varies by library location and room size. Reserve meeting rooms at www.dakotacounty.us/library, search meeting room

Use iLAB makerspace equipment such as computers that have Adobe Creative Suite software or the book binder for presentation materials. Other equipment available includes a laminator, sewing machines, 3D printers and scanners, paper cutters, button makers and more. All equipment is free to use and can be reserved online.

We expanded our business-related materials to include more than 20,000 book and e-books you can check out to help you with your small business and career goals.

In 2021, Dakota County Library provided a $1.4 million value of business-related services to residents. This was calculated using the Urban Libraries Council Business Value Calculator, which estimates the dollar value of resources and services, including events and classes, research tools, computers and equipment, and meeting space.

For more information about the business and career resources, visit www.dakotacounty.us/library, search small business services.

Value of business and career services available at Dakota County Library:

$1.3 million ......................... 

Access to services such as LinkedIn Learning, online business resources, research tools and more.

$63,600.................................. 

Onsite computers, Wi-Fi access, Chromebooks and hotspots, printing, scanning and faxing, iLAB makerspace equipment and more.

$6,150 ...................................... 

Physical space

Meeting and conference rooms to work or host meetings.

$78,190 ................................... 

Small business workshops, job search tools and one-to-one counseling from industry experts.