View and Reflect
| Site: | MSL Learn |
| Course: | Legal Topics: Personnel Questions and Laws |
| Book: | View and Reflect |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Sunday, 5 October 2025, 5:49 AM |
Description
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About our Speaker
Kris Goss is the Director of Library Learning Hub at Helena College - University of Montana. Kris also serves as an attorney and currently works with the firm of Jackson, Murdo, & Grant, P.C. in Helena.
Kris previously worked with the Montana School Boards Association and served as a law clerk in the chambers of the Honorable Sam E. Haddon in the United States District Court for the District of Montana. Prior to law school, Kris worked as the Governor’s K-12 Education Policy Advisor and Deputy Communications Director in the administration of Governor Judy Martz.
Kris earned a law degree from the University of Montana School of Law, a Master of Arts in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin, and a Bachelor of Arts from Carroll College. He serves as the Vice Chair of the Trust for Montana Libraries Board of Directors and serves on the Montana Library Association Intellectual Freedom and Government Affairs Committees.
Discussion Questions
1. Board Authority & Governance
How does our library board currently exercise its statutory authority over personnel decisions, and are there areas where clarification or reinforcement is needed in our interlocal agreements?
2. Personnel Policies & Handbooks
Are our personnel policies, handbooks, and job descriptions aligned and up to date? How do we ensure they reflect current laws and support both employee rights and library operations?
3. Wrongful Discharge & Contracts
Do our employment contracts clearly define terms, expectations, and probationary periods in a way that protects both the library and the employee under the Wrongful Discharge from Employment Act?
4. Ethics & Conflicts of Interest
What safeguards do we have in place to ensure staff and volunteers understand and comply with ethical obligations, especially regarding confidentiality, use of public resources, and acceptance of gifts?
5. Volunteer Management
How are we currently onboarding, training, and managing volunteers? Do we have clear agreements and policies in place to protect the library and clarify expectations?
6. Collaboration with Local Government
How can we improve collaboration with our local government partners while maintaining the library’s statutory independence in personnel matters? What steps can we take to build mutual understanding and avoid conflict?
Discussion questions generated from the webinar transcript using Microsoft Copilot.
Recording
(57:01)
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