Montana Library Law

Section outline

• Select section Welcome!

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  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.

  • Select activity Course Information and Navigation

    

    Course Information and Navigation Page

    Completion

    Students must

    

    View
• Select section Introduction and Overview

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  Introduction and Overview

  • Select activity Montana Library Laws Overview and Tour

    

    Montana Library Laws Overview and Tour Page
• Select section Open Meeting Law

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  Open Meeting Law

  • Select activity Open Meeting Law Overview

    

    Open Meeting Law Overview Book

    Completion

    Students must

    

    View
  • Select activity Open Meeting Law Knowledge Check

    

    Open Meeting Law Knowledge Check Quiz

    Completion

    Students must

    

    Make attempts: 1
• Select section Conflict of Interest and Trustee Liability

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  Conflict of Interest and Trustee Liability

  • Select activity Conflict of Interest and Trustee Liability Overview

    

    Conflict of Interest and Trustee Liability Overview Book

    Completion

    Students must

    

    View
  • Select activity Conflict of Interest and Trustee Liability Knowledge Check

    

    Conflict of Interest and Trustee Liability Knowledge Check Quiz

    Completion

    Students must

    

    Make attempts: 1
• Select section Library Board Authority

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  Library Board Authority

  • Select activity Library Board Authority Overview

    

    Library Board Authority Overview Book

    Completion

    Students must

    

    View
• Select section Library Confidentiality Act

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  Library Confidentiality Act

  • Select activity Library Confidentiality Act Overview

    

    Library Confidentiality Act Overview Book

    Completion

    Students must

    

    View
• Select section Other Resources

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  Other Resources

  • Select activity Browse through these items and download them for y...

    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
      
      

    
    

• Select section Course Wrap-Up

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  Course Wrap-Up

  • Select activity In this course you have learned more aboutopen mee...

    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?

  • Select activity Course Evaluation

    

    Course Evaluation Feedback

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    Submit feedback

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