Standards Operating Procedure

Timeline and Activities

Each year libraries report on how they meet the public library standards.  

This timeline summarizes activities that occur each year in the reporting cycle for the public library standards. 

Standards Report Form Questions

Watch this short video to see the reporting form and how to complete the report.

Report Summary

Questions

• Libraries will be asked whether they comply with each standard listed within Administrative Rules.
• If they answer no, the libraries will be asked the following questions:
  • Why were you unable to meet this standard? How was this standard a hardship for your library?
  • How will you meet the standard in the future? If the standard requires a multi-year solution, what will you do in each year to comply with the standard?
  • Who will be responsible for the activities listed above?
  • What date will your library meet the standard?

Pre-populated Information

• Prior year statistics submission status.
• Responses from prior year deferrals will be displayed for review and updating.
  
• New directors will see a date by which they must be certified under “The director is or will be certified by the Montana State Library within the required timeframe mandated by the certification program adopted by the Montana State Library Commission.”
  
• MSL will make note of any libraries with unusual governing structures that addresses the fact that they meet the standards in spirit but perhaps not in the letter of the rule.

General Guidelines for Deferral Requests

MSL Consultants will work with libraries who do not complete a standard within the 3-month grace period. If a library cannot meet the standard within that 3-month period of time the State Librarian reserves the right to deny state funding due to a lack of hardship.

Deferrals

Libraries that submit a plan for meeting a deferral should follow that plan. If they are unable to do so they need to communicate with their assigned consultant. A failure to follow through on a plan could lead to state funding being denied until the standard is met. 

The State Librarian will consider adverse circumstances or changes (such as a change in personnel) before denying state funding.

Contact your MSL Statewide Library Consultant for assistance or for any questions.