Discussion

The Montana State Library’s Roadmap to Library Excellence is a voluntary tool designed to help libraries go beyond the baseline standards and strive for continuous improvement. Use the questions below to spark meaningful conversations with your team, board, or community.

🧭 General Overview

Discussion Question:

  • How can the Roadmap to Excellence framework be adapted to reflect the unique strengths and limitations of your library?

📌 Key Themes & Takeaways

1. Structured Staff Development (Great Falls Public Library)

Discussion Question:

  • What are the benefits and challenges of implementing standardized onboarding and training modules in your library, and how might you tailor them to your team?

2. Empowerment & Recognition (Conrad Public Library)

Discussion Question:

  • How can small libraries foster a culture of professional growth and recognition without overwhelming limited staff and resources?

3. Role Clarity & Advancement (Red Lodge Carnegie Library)

Discussion Question:

  • In what ways can tiered job descriptions and promotion pathways improve staff retention and motivation in your library?

4. Customer Service as a Core Value

Discussion Question:

  • What does “excellent customer service” look like in your library, and how can you ensure all staff are trained to deliver it consistently?

5. Training Accessibility

Discussion Question:

  • How can libraries ensure access to training opportunities for part-time or low-hour staff?

6. Board Engagement & Support

Discussion Question:

  • What strategies can you use to help your library board understand and support staff development initiatives?

7. Celebrating Achievements

Discussion Question:

  • How can public recognition of staff accomplishments (like certification) enhance morale and community perception of your library?

8. Flexible Implementation Based on Library Size

Discussion Question:

  • How can libraries of different sizes creatively adapt staff development practices to fit their specific staffing and budget realities?

Discussion questions generated from the webinar transcript using Microsoft Copilot.

Next, watch the Recording.