If local history is your thing, the Dakota County Historical Society wants to talk to you.

The organization is seeking to fill several slots on its 14-member board of trustees. In coming years, board members will help guide projects that include genealogy and video history initiatives, expanding youth programming, improving Web offerings, and developing exhibits on subjects such as the Dakota Indian people and Dakota County veterans.

The society is particularly interested in applicants who have backgrounds in marketing, digital communications, fundraising, education and financial services, but volunteers of all backgrounds are welcome, the group said in a news release.

For a position description and an application, see www.dakotahistory.org.

The county public health department is launching a campaign to raise awareness of infant and toddler mental health.

The department received a $5,000 grant form the Dakota County Interagency Early Intervention Committee to promote the message that "ideas are as important as thinking, when it comes to learning readiness." Public health will work with the Local Advisory Council for Children's Mental Health to distribute children's books that teach children to identify and manage emotions. The program will target families with infants and toddlers.

Good news, quilters: You've now been reclassified as "public art."

Dakota County wants to pick out the best work of local quilters and put it on display for six months at its Northern Service Center in West St. Paul.

Dakota County residents who want to enter can send a digital photo of their quilt and a submission form to jean.erickson@co.dakota.mn.us, by Sept. 23. Download the form by searching for public art at www.dakotacounty.us.

Quilts can be sewn by hand or machine and must be less than five years old. They can be as small as 12 by 12 inches and as big as 7 feet 6 inches by 10 feet. For more information, call Beth Adams at 952-484-7274.

BURNSVILLE

The Burnhaven Library will close Sept. 18 at 5:30 p.m. for remodeling and will reopen in April.

The remodeling includes a computer lab, a license center, a redesigned front entry, a new meeting room, energy-saving upgrades and improvements to areas for kids and teens.

Regular Burnhaven patrons are encouraged to visit other county libraries during the closure. Materials checked out from Burnhaven will need to be returned to other Dakota County libraries, as the bookdrop will be closed.

SUNFISH LAKE

Sunfish Lake city officials are considering whether they should be paid.

Traditionally, the mayor, city council and planning commission of the small residential community don't receive any salary.

"Several people are proud of that," said Mayor Molly Park.

With a population of about 525, Sunfish Lake has a "disarmingly simple" city government, according to its website. But despite its size, Laura Kushner, director of human resources for the League of Minnesota Cities, said it's not unusual for cities with populations of less than 2,000 to pay officials.

"It's probably pretty typical to pay something, even in a small city like that," she said.

The people of Sunfish Lake may not agree. Most of the more than 80 people who responded to an online poll said the mayor and City Council should not be paid.

The city attorney was asked to draft an ordinance amendment about city officials' compensation that should be discussed at the City Council meeting this week.

ROSEMOUNT

The city of Rosemount recently added a page to its website for residents to view updates on its review of UMore Park. Within the next year, the city will conduct several proceedings on the University of Minnesota's plans to develop the 5,000-acre property. Residents can visit ci.rosemount.mn.us/umore and also sign up for e-mail updates.

KATIE HUMPHREY, NICOLE NORFLEET AND DYLAN BELDEN