Get to Know MSL's Programs

Dedicated and Expert Professionals!

MSL is staffed with dedicated and expert professionals who perform administration, user services, information management, and information products functions.

• Administrative staff provide administrative support and leadership for the agency.
• User services staff provide support directly to vested partners and patrons including libraries, the GIS Community, the Natural Resources Community, state agencies and employees, and Talking Book Library patrons.
• Information management staff is responsible for implementing MSL collection development policy by building collections of data and information including GIS data, natural resources and water data, state government publications, and MSL’s Talking Book collection
• Information products staff develop the platforms and applications that people use to access our collections and information about MSL.

Central Services

Central Services staff provide accounting, human resources, and information technology assistance across the agency, as well as general administrative support.

You may not interact directly with this team, but their work allows the funding, IT systems, and information resources of MSL to function.

Digital Library Services

The Digital Library collects and provides access to multiple types of information of interest to state employees, federal partners, and the citizens of Montana.

The Montana Spatial Data Infrastructure (MSDI) is made up of 15 “framework” geographic databases vital for making maps of Montana and understanding its geography. MSDI datasets are generally accepted as the best available, standardized, statewide data that meet the essential, digital geographic information needs of Montana’s citizens, its government, commerce, legislature, area researchers, and more.

Established in 1985 by the Montana Legislature, the Montana Natural Resource Information System (NRIS) was designed to simplify the task of identifying and acquiring natural resource information. NRIS’s mission is to make information on Montana’s natural resources easily and readily accessible.

The Montana Natural Heritage Program (MTNHP) is the state’s source for reliable, objective information and expertise to support stewardship of our native species and habitats, emphasizing those of conservation concern. MTNHP strives to provide easy access to information in order for users to save time and money, speed environmental reviews, and inform decision making. The MTNHP manages information on native and non-native species and biological communities which can be accessed on the Montana Field Guide, Natural Heritage Map Viewer, Species Snapshot, and Species of Concern web pages and applications.

MSL provides research and professional development resources for state employees and contractors as well as for Montana library staff.

MSL makes a concerted effort to create citizen access to state publications to fulfill MCA § 22-1-212: "The state library shall administer a state publications depository library program to identify, acquire, catalog, preserve, and provide access to state publications."

Digitized publications are available via the Internet Archive and state web pages dating back to 1996 are archived at MT.GOV Connect.

Talking Book Services

The Talking Book program works with the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled to provide free library services to Montanans who cannot read standard print due to a visual, physical, or reading disability.

The program aims to improve patron quality of life and offer ease of access to reading materials so that patrons have opportunity to educate themselves and become informed voters connected to society, make informed and healthy decisions to be productive in the workforce, and contribute to society.

Services to Libraries

The Montana State Library provides leadership and guidance to libraries in order to improve programs, services, and facilities.

MSL provides consulting services, continuing education opportunities, and learning programs for library employees across Montana. These resources, training sessions, and professional development opportunities help library staff meet the needs of their patrons and create thriving opportunities for their communities.

The Montana History Portal supports the creation of, and provides free access to, digital collections of items relating to Montana’s cultural heritage and government. Libraries, museums, local government agencies, and historical societies across Montana contribute content to the website.

MontanaLibrary2Go is an online service that offers registered library patrons of participating libraries free access to a collection of contemporary, classic, and bestseller audiobooks, e-books, and magazines. These books check out just like a physical book or audio CD, except that users can check them out at any time, from anywhere – an online library “to go.” Registered library patrons can download the books to their electronic devices or computers, or they can read or listen to books in an online browser.

Staff Directory and Contact Information

For the most up-to-date contact information for MSL Staff, please visit the Staff Directory.

Montana State Library is a special government library in which items from our collection are either mailed to patrons or fully accessible online. We follow a digital first reference service model with in-person references services available by appointment.

To make an appointment, please email: MSLAppointment@mt.gov or call: (406) 444-3115. 

If you know the staff member you would like to meet, you can contact them directly. Phone numbers and emails for each staff member can be found at our Staff Directory.

Connecting to Programs

Each of the programs described in this book have rich resources to explore.  After a quick knowledge check, the next section of the course will ask you to explore various programs and their web-based resources and services.

Some questions for you to reflect on:

• What new information have you learned about MSL so far?
• What is one program you need to dive deeper into?
• Which MSL staff member do you need to connect with?

Keep these questions in mind as you move through the rest of the course.  These are just for you to plan any follow up steps you need to take after you complete this course.

Use the course index on the left or jump to the Knowledge Check.