Quick Reference: MSL Terms, Acronyms, and Lingo

The American Association of the Deaf-Blind 

 American Council of the Blind

Access to Services, Programs, and eNetworks (ASPeN)

This product provides a variety of services for Montana's library community. 

Members of the public can search ASPeN to find a nearby library or learn more about their local library. 

ASPeN users will be able to update their library's information, enroll in certain services, keep track of their continuing education, and complete reports required by the Montana State Library.

• ADA Standards Compliance- Information on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards that were published by the Department of Justice in 2010
  
• Section 508 -  an amendment to the United States Workforce Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a federal law mandating that all electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal government be accessible to people with disabilities
• WCAG 2.0 Standards - web accessibility standards

Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM)

These are the official procedural rules that support the implementation of Montana laws.

American Foundation for the Blind

Attorney General of the State of Montana

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

National legislation giving civil rights protection to individuals with disabilities.

In addition to issues around physical access to buildings and services, there are specific policies and requirements for access to information.

• ADA Standards Compliance- Information on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards that were published by the Department of Justice in 2010
  
• Section 508 -  an amendment to the United States Workforce Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a federal law mandating that all electronic and information technology developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal government be accessible to people with disabilities
• WCAG 2.0 Standards - web accessibility standards

Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM)

These are the official procedural rules that support the implementation of Montana laws.

Access to Services, Programs, and eNetworks

This product provides a variety of services for Montana's library community. Members of the public can search ASPeN to find a nearby library or learn more about their local library. ASPeN users will be able to update their library's information, enroll in certain services, keep track of their continuing education, and complete paperwork required by the Montana State Library.

Braille and Audio Reading Download

Continuing Education

Opportunities provided for personnel to improve and grow in their professions.

Learn more about MSL's Continuing Education program.

Core Service Committee

The Network Advisory Council has core services committees that are tasked with evaluation of programs and services and making recommendations about future services.

• Cultural Resources Committee
• E-Resources Committee
• Programming Committee
• Resource Sharing Committee
• Technology Committee

Coal Severance Tax

See MCA 15-35-108 Disposal of severance taxes 

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.

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

Full-time Equivalent

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

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.

General Funds

Specifically, state funding appropriated by the Montana Legislature.

Geographic Information Systems

Montana State Library GIS Coordination

House Bill

Usually associated with a number and refers to a bill introduced in the Montana House of Representatives.

Look up drafts, bills, and other information on the Montana Legislature webpage.

Interlibrary Loan

• WorldShare Interlibrary Loan – OCLC WorldShare® Interlibrary Loan is a new service that replaces WorldCat Resource Sharing, as part of libraries’ existing subscriptions. The service centralizes workflows and provides functionality that speeds fulfillment of interlibrary loan requests to save time for library staff and library users.

Institute of Museum and Library Services

Independent federal agency that provides programs of support for both libraries and museums and encourages library-museum partnerships. The agency administers the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant program to states.

Legislative Council

Refers to an unintroduced bill draft requested by a legislator.

Look up drafts, bills, and other information on the Montana Legislature webpage.

Library Development

Light Detection and Ranging

Lifelong Learning

Library Services Technology Act

Administered under the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) with the primary focus on improving library services through technology, encouraging sharing of resources and targeting library and information services to underserved populations. LSTA grants are awarded annually to all state libraries for use in statewide and local projects. In Montana, the Montana State Library Commission establishes priorities for LSTA funds.

Montana Association of Geographic Information Professionals

Montana Budget Analysis and Reporting System

Montana Code Annotated

Montana Library Association

State association with a membership composed of librarians from all types of libraries, trustees, friends and students. MLA's concerns are the welfare and professional development of its members, the advocacy of library needs and the assurance of open access to information for all Montana's citizens.

Montana Land Information Advisory Council

The Montana Land Information Advisory Council (MLIAC), as required by statute, advises the State Librarian and the State Library Commission on issues related land information, on the priority of land information, including data layers to be developed, on the development and management of the Montana Land Information Act grant process and on the distribution of funds collected in the Montana Land Information Account.   

The Council assists the State Library to identify, evaluate, and prioritize requests received from state agencies, local governments, and Indian tribal government entities to provide development and maintenance of services relating to the GIS and land information. 

The Council promotes coordination of programs, policies, technologies, and resources to maximize opportunities, to minimize duplication of effort, and to facilitate the documentation, distribution, and exchange of land information.  Finally, the Council advocates for the development of consistent policies, standards, and guidelines for land information.

Master of Library and Information Science

Montana Library Network

Master of Library Science

The Montana History Portal encourages cultural institutions to digitize historic and contemporary resources reflecting Montana's rich cultural heritage and to make them freely available for lifelong learning.

Prior to February 2023, this site was known as the Montana Memory Project (MMP).

Montana Land Information Advisory Council (MLIAC)

The Montana Land Information Advisory Council (MLIAC), as required by statute, advises the State Librarian and the State Library Commission on issues related land information, on the priority of land information, including data layers to be developed, on the development and management of the Montana Land Information Act grant process and on the distribution of funds collected in the Montana Land Information Account.   

The Council assists the State Library to identify, evaluate, and prioritize requests received from state agencies, local governments, and Indian tribal government entities to provide development and maintenance of services relating to the GIS and land information. 

The Council promotes coordination of programs, policies, technologies, and resources to maximize opportunities, to minimize duplication of effort, and to facilitate the documentation, distribution, and exchange of land information.  Finally, the Council advocates for the development of consistent policies, standards, and guidelines for land information.

Montana Shared Catalog

Montana Spatial Data Infrastructure

Acronym and abbreviation used for Montana State Library.

Montana Natural Heritage Program

Also referred to as NHP.

The Montana Natural Heritage Program is the state's source for reliable, objective information and expertise to support stewardship of our native species and habitats, emphasizing those of conservation concern.

The Montana Natural Heritage is a program of the Montana State Library's Natural Resource Information System.

Montana State Reference Network

Network Advisory Council

Network Advisory Council (NAC)

Next Generation 9-1-1

Montana Natural Heritage Program

Also referred to as MTNHP.

Natural Resources Information Systems

Program of Montana State Library, NRIS was established in 1985 to identify and acquire Montana's natural resource information and to provide a clearinghouse for this information.

National States Geographic Information Council

Online Computer Library Center

Nonprofit library service and research organization located in Dublin, Ohio, used by libraries to catalog library materials, manage interlibrary loans and maintain location information on library materials. In Montana, many libraries of all types use the OCLC bibliographic database for cataloging, interlibrary loan and reference.

Online Public Access Catalog

Automated catalog providing patron access through computers. See also PAC.

One Time Only 

A phrase used when the legislature or Governor's budget office agrees to fund a program or service for one year or one biennium only. A new request would have to be filed to get funding beyond the one year.

Public Library Survey (PLS)

The Montana State Library Public Library Annual Statistical Report, also referred to as the Public Libraries Survey (PLS), provides statistics on the status of public libraries in Montana. The submission is an essential standard as outlined in Administrative Rules of Montana 10.102.1150A Public Library Standards: General. These statistics are in turn submitted to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), allowing peer comparisons between libraries of similar variables across the country. 

Data includes information about library visits, circulation, size of collections, public service hours, staffing, electronic resources, operating revenues and expenditures and number of service outlets. These data are used by federal, state and local officials, professional associations, and local practitioners for planning, evaluation, and policy making. 

Public Land Survey System

Request for Proposal is a term used in soliciting official bids for goods and services.

Real Time Network

State Accounting, Budget, and Human Resource System

Senate Bill

Usually associated with a number and refers to a bill introduced in the Montana Senate.

Look up drafts, bills, and other information on the Montana Legislature webpage.

Talking Book Library

Service that provides free equipment and materials to Montana citizens who are visually or physically impaired. MTBL is funded by Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and state general funds. TBL materials are provided by the Library of Congress or are recorded by TBL volunteer readers.

MSL contracts with the State Library of Utah to provide this service.