The Legislative Reference Library was created in 1969 Minn. Laws Chap. 1130. That same law established the Legislative Services Commission and that office was assigned the responsibility for administering the Legislative Reference Library. In 1973, the Joint Coordinating Committee was established and the Library then fell under the jurisdiction and control of the
the Joint Coordinating Committee (see 1973 Minn. Laws Chap. 598 Sec. 3).
As of 1975, the Legislative Reference Library operates under the jurisdiction of the Legislative Coordinating Commission.
The Legislative Reference Library (LRL), collects, indexes, publishes, and makes available public policy information, both online and in the Library. The LRL works closely with legislators and legislative staff to provide information services that support the legislative process. Executive agencies and the public are also served. Library staff track and acquire all reports mandated by the Legislature. In addition, state law requires that copies of the publications of Minnesota state government agencies, boards, and commissions, and a copy of all statefunded consultants´ reports must be deposited with the library. Rules of the House and Senate assign the director a custodial role of the floor and committee hearing recordings, and the accompanying minutes and logs. The Library maintains a database with biographical information on all current and former members of the Minnesota Legislature, as well as additional information on each of the legislators. The Library also plays an active role in LNET, the Legislative Networking Group that manages the Legislative Web Site.
The Library participates in OCLC, MINITEX, and PALS.