Glossary

The library is part of a regional library network called a federation. There are currently six federations in Montana. You can determine which federation your library belongs to my viewing the map located on the federation website. The legislature appropriates coal severance tax money for library federations. The federation determines how much money each library spends and how that money can be used through a budgeting process that happens each spring at a federation meeting. The Montana State Library Commission reviews and adopts the budget requests of each federation at their June meeting.

Federations receive funding through the Coal Severance Tax monies that the state receives. This money is divided amongst federations using a formula that is based upon population and evenly dividing the funding. ARM 10.102.5102 gives the specific formula.

Federations are guided by a federation coordinator who is responsible for leading the federation and acting as a liaison between the Montana State Library and the federation.

Montana is divided up into six regions. Libraries within those regions have formed a federation. It's a formal and informal way to network and improve library services in Montana. The six federations are:

• Broad Valleys
• Golden Plains
• Pathfinder
• Sagebrush
• South Central
• Tamarack

The library may charge fees for services like printing and copying. It might also charge fines for overdue materials. Whether the library does this and how much it charges is determined in a policy adopted by the library board.

The state annual fiscal year, or fiscal year (FY), is July 1 to June 30.

Federal fiscal year is October 1 to September 30.

Some budgets run on other fiscal year schedules or may be tied to a calendar year.

It is important to know what source and fiscal year your funding is tied to.

If the library has a friends or foundation group, it is wise for the director and perhaps one board member to have a relationship with that group. Attendance at their meetings and regular communication can ensure that the library support group is assisting the library in meeting the needs of the community.

Full-time Equivalent

A measure of employee workload based on a forty-hour work week. 1 FTE represents a full-time position.

A fund is used to account for everything associated with a service. 

There is a library fund in larger governmental entities. 

All money that is used for library services is accounted for within that fund.

Fiscal Year

State Fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30 of the following calendar year.

Federal Fiscal year typically runs from October 1 to September 30 of the following calendar year.