Montana Library Law

Topic outline

• Welcome!

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  Public library board members have a wide range of duties and expectations. One of those expectations is to follow the law. There are many laws at the local, state, and federal level. This course focuses on state laws – the most common laws that board members need to understand.

  We covered financial laws in the budgeting and finance class, so this course will focus on things like the open meeting law, code of ethics, and laws specific to libraries.

  Please note this is not legal advice. We are simply sharing some best practices for complying with several laws that impact libraries. It is always wise to seek legal counsel when you have a question about the law.

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    Course Information and Navigation Page

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• Introduction and Overview
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    Montana Library Laws Overview and Tour Page

• Open Meeting Law
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    Open Meeting Law Overview Book

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    Open Meeting Law Knowledge Check Quiz

    Make attempts: 1

• Conflict of Interest and Trustee Liability
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    Conflict of Interest and Trustee Liability Overview Book

    View
  • 

    Conflict of Interest and Trustee Liability Knowledge Check Quiz

    Make attempts: 1

• Library Board Authority
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    Library Board Authority Overview Book

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• Library Confidentiality Act
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    Library Confidentiality Act Overview Book

    View

• Other Resources
  • Browse through these items and download them for your use. 
    

    Resources from External Partners

    Local Government Center - Montana State University Extension Office 

    • Resources for Board Members
    • Open Meetings and the Right to Participate 

    Montana Legislature

    • Montana State Statutes

    MACO

    • Montana Association of Counties White Paper on Open Meetings

    MSL Resources

    • MSL Trustee Manual, Vol. 1 - Getting Started
    • Library Laws Resource webpage
      
      

    
    

• Course Wrap-Up
  • In this course you have learned more about
    

    • open meetings
    • conflict of interest and liability
    • confidentiality
    • resources 

    Before you complete the course evaluation please consider these questions:
    

    • What new information have you learned about these topics?
    • What is something you need to learn more about?
    • Which MSL Staff member or other do you need to connect with?
    • Who can you share your new knowledge with?

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