Get to Know MSL's Programs
| Site: | MSL Learn |
| Course: | MSL: A Greater State of Knowledge (2025) |
| Book: | Get to Know MSL's Programs |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Sunday, April 27, 2025, 12:57 AM |
Dedicated and Expert Professionals!
MSL is staffed with dedicated and expert professionals who perform administration, user services, information management, and information products functions.
Our patrons are all Montanans--including our staff and many specialized information communities.
- 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's 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.
For a brief overview, you can look at this MSL Agency Chart.
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.
GIS, Data, and Information Programs
MSL gathers knowledge about Montana for Montanans and makes it available at the click of a button through our Digital Library programs.
Information Access
Chances are you have used our cadastral website or the Montana Field Guide. These are among the many online resources MSL provides.Statewide GIS Coordination
MSL brings the right people to the table to build data and maps that support every facet of private and public commerce.MT Geospatial Information Act Grant Program
Your local government may have received a grant in the past from MSL to help build data and maps that benefit your community.Next-Generation 9-1-1
If you've ever had to call 911, you know your location is important for a rapid response. MSL is training your local government to create information necessary for modern emergency service technology.Montana State Reference Network
Modern public and private industries alike require precise location data. MSL offers a subscription service to this data which saves Montanans time and money.You will have a chance to explore specific programs in the Dive Deeper into MSL Program Resources.
Patron and Local Library Development Services
MSL helps Montana libraries be better so that everyone has access to great libraries.
Patron Services
MSL provides personalized support to state employees, citizens with research questions, and the blind and low-vision community.Consulting
Our consultants offer board trainings, strategic planning support, and professional certifications so that your libraries, regardless of budget or location, meet public library standards maintained by MSL.Resource Sharing
MSL operates Montana’s digital card catalog. If you've ever borrowed a book from another library or downloaded an audiobook from the Libby app, then you've used programs that are administered by MSL.Montana History Portal
Montana’s history belongs to you. The Montana History Portal website allows you to discover your Montana story.Federation Grants
MSL supports the 6 regional library groups by providing trustee training and supporting local and regional initiatives.Public Library Standards and State Aid
MSL distributes funding to Montana public libraries that comply with the statewide standards set by MSL.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 to move to the next activities.