Michael Lopez is a Library Technology Specialist for Dakota County Library (DCL), a position he’s held since Fall 2021. Michael has worked in public and academic library systems for 25 years, and in information technology for the past 10 years. A native of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Michael received his Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Minnesota and his Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Alabama.
While Michael has worked in libraries in circulation, cataloging, interlibrary loans and other areas, he focuses on technology in his current job. His work includes providing IT support for staff, managing DCL’s public facing catalog, and answering calls to the Help Desk. A large part of his job is working with the 6-person tech team to maintain the wide array of iLab makerspace equipment and software, including 3D printers, Adobe Creative Cloud, VHS to digital converters, sewing machines and much more. The Wescott Branch also has a recording studio which features a wide variety of recording equipment and software maintained by Michael and his colleagues. For information on DCL’s iLabs, visit https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/libraries/Using/iLab
A relatively new component of Michael’s job, and one he especially enjoys, is DCL’s podcast “Behind the Covers”, which launched in January 2025 and releases a new episode every three weeks. He co-hosts the podcast with the Digital Services Manager. Each episode has three segments, one featuring a guest, an “I didn’t know the library had that” segment, and 10 new monthly releases (across all genres). Check out episodes via this link or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite streaming service:
Library Podcast | Dakota County
Or download the app from the App Store or Google Play by searching for Dakota County Library.
Michael is also an accomplished musician who plays in three local bands: the Mexicangelics (Americana/Country), Lunaderos (classic country and rock), and In Frequencies (rock). Also, the music you hear on the podcast is Michael’s.
Not surprisingly, Michael enjoys reading musician’s memoirs and books about music. But he reads a wide variety – likes to “mix it up” – and some books he’s read (or re-read) recently and recommends are:
Fargo Rock City: A Heavy Metal Odyssey in Rural North Dakota by Chuck Klosterman
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Freedom Libraries: The Untold Story of Libraries for African Americans in the South by Mike Selby
Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain
The Fabric of the Cosmos by Brian Greene
I See You’ve Called in Dead by John Kenney
And one last thing: If you find yourself at a Dakota County Library branch near closing time, Michael’s voice is the one you hear announcing that the library is closing.
For more information about the Dakota County Library, visit http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/libraries
For more information about the more than 100 public libraries in the seven-county Twin Cities metro, visit https://www.melsa.org/member-libraries/
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