Get to know the Montana State Library
| Site: | MSL Learn |
| Course: | Montana State Library: A Greater State of Knowledge |
| Book: | Get to know the Montana State Library |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Friday, April 4, 2025, 3:49 AM |
A Greater State of Knowledge Begins Here
The Montana State Library (MSL) provides information, resources, and guidance to organizations, communities, and residents of Montana to help them expand their knowledge and empower their decisions. Our leading-edge data and applications help those seeking answers about Montana’s government, natural resources, heritage, land ownership, and more while our vital services improve public libraries and provide reading materials to those with disabilities.
Montana's State Library is governed by a Commission and lead by the State Librarian.
Continue reading through this book to learn more about MSL's governance structure, mission, values, tenets, and messaging.
MSL Commission
A little later in the course you will learn more about the history of the Commission and State Library, but to start, the Montana Code Annotated provides the legal authority and responsibilities of this governing body for MSL.22-1-103. State Library commission -- authority. The state library commission may:
(1) give assistance and advice to all tax-supported or public libraries in the state and to all counties, cities, towns, or regions in the state that propose to establish libraries, as to the best means of establishing and improving those libraries;
(2) maintain and operate the state library and make provision for its housing;
(3) (a) accept and expend in accordance with the terms of a grant any grant of federal funds that is available to the state for library purposes;
(b) accept, receive, and administer any gifts, donations, bequests, and legacies made to the Montana state library. Unless otherwise provided by the donor, gifts, donations, bequests, and legacies must be deposited in the Montana state library trust established in 22-1-225.
(4) make rules and establish standards for the administration of the state library and for the control, distribution, and lending of books and materials;
(5) serve as the agency of the state to accept and administer any state, federal, or private funds or property appropriated for or granted to it for library service or foster libraries in the state and establish regulations under which funds must be disbursed;
(6) provide library services for the blind and for individuals with physical disabilities;
(7) furnish, by contract or otherwise, library assistance and information services to state officials, state departments, and residents of those parts of the state inadequately serviced by libraries;
(8) act as a state board of professional standards and library examiners, develop standards for public libraries, and adopt rules for the certification of librarians;
(9) designate areas for and establish federations of libraries.
MSL Mission
The Montana State Library (MSL) helps all organizations, communities, and Montanans thrive through excellent library resources and services.
We meet this mission by:
- Providing comprehensive information about Montana’s natural resources and heritage
- Consistently collecting and standardizing commonly available land information
- Fulfilling the information needs of state agency employees
- Preserving state publications
- Improving public library services
- Promoting cooperation among all Montana libraries of all types
- Providing reading materials to those with physical disabilities
This mission statement was adopted in 2022 as part of an agency campaign to build awareness of MSL and its services.
MSL Values
These values define MSL's culture and guide priorities, decisions, and actions.
- User-centric services
- The diverse worldviews of our users and partners
- Open and free information that is accurate, timely, comprehensive, and convenient
- Data-driven planning and evaluation coupled with compelling narrative
- Risk-taking
- Progressive library services and collections that are models for others
Users include public libraries, state government employees, geographic and natural resource professionals, and MSL staff but the public at large, who interact with MSL systems and information, is the ultimate user served.
How MSL Benefits Our Users and Partners
For Montanans of all backgrounds who seek confidence in their decisions, the Montana State Library is the trusted resource that provides leadership and guidance in a fast-moving world through innovative information services and relationships built by dedicated staff.
We are the home for knowledge about Montana, for Montanans, by Montanans. Our collections, information services, leading-edge applications, and committed staff are accessible to everyone to simplify their search. Every Montanan can trust they’re receiving accurate information that meets their needs, expands their knowledge, and empowers their decisions.
MSL Tenets
Much like the values, these tenets describe how MSL intends to create impact through the programs and services offered to users.
ACCESS
Our open-data advocacy helps equalize the knowledge base of Montanans.
TRUST
We are non-partisan with a reputation for integrity and transparency that fosters strong relationships across the state.
PURPOSE
All areas of the State Library contribute to making lives better for Montanans.
EFFICIENCY
We promote data-sharing that expedites decisions and leads to better outcomes.
LEADING EDGE
We anticipate the information needs of Montanans which results in innovative product and service offerings.
MSL Awareness and Education
One of the ways you can quickly identify services and resources from MSL is the agency's logo and icon. Look for it on webpages, newsletters, and program information in print.
Our logo reflects our value to Montanans.
The Montana State Library logo represents the leadership and guidance you can rely on when working with our committed staff. The symbol chosen to represent Montana State Library is an open-sided hexagon.
Our logo and tagline, A Greater State of Knowledge, represents our commitment to a higher level of communication that empowers every Montanan. At MSL, we gather information and share that knowledge back in innovative ways.
Connecting with MSL
You will have a chance to do a "Deeper Dive" into MSL resources later in this course, but here are three very important ways to connect with MSL:
Bookmark the websites and subscribe to the newsletters that will keep you connected with important information and updates from MSL.
Next, you will have an opportunity to browse through the the next activity: Quick Reference. You may find this handy to refer back to as these terms are used or linked through out the course.
Use the course index on the left to move to the next activity.