North Mankato and TdS have butted head for several years, culminating in a lawsuit two years ago by the city. North Mankato officials criticized the billing practices and speed of service of TdS, which provides the computerized book circulation system for libraries and the courier service that moves books from libraries within the region and around the state.

North Mankato decided in 2005 to purchase its own automation system and balked when TdS attempted to charge the same fees as in the past when it provided North Mankato with the computerized system. For 2007, TdS asked the city to pay the $17,654 fee — a $13,000 reduction.

But city officials considered that fee to be excessive for the remaining services — deliveries by the courier and the opportunity to directly borrow books from other libraries. Broken down on a cost per transaction basis, the fees were much larger than many libraries in the system.

North Mankato City Attorney Mike Kennedy said TdS doesn’t seem to be setting fees on a cost-based system.

“It seems to have much more to do with the amount of money they want to receive from us,” Kennedy said.

Biesterfeld said the fee system was set up by a consultant working with an advisory council made up of the library directors. North Mankato declined to participate in the process, but the other 16 library directors were satisfied with the fee schedule and all other libraries have paid the fees.

“Whenever you’re a part of a cooperative, you learn to work together to come up with the best possible solution for the entire group,” Biesterfeld said. “I would think that’s where everybody else (other than North Mankato) is at this time.”

Lowry said the city didn’t participate in the advisory council but made its objections known to the consultant and the TdS Board of Directors.

While the differences appear to be irreconcilable right now, Biesterfeld hopes North Mankato will become a participating member of the regional system in the future.

“It’s very unfortunate it came to this,” she said. “... There are many benefits to being a member of the Traverse des Sioux Library System.”

Lowry doesn’t rule out a more amicable relationship with other libraries in the future, but the city also is looking forward to the single life.

“We’re just trying to avoid more fights,” she said. “We’re just tired of it.”