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This newsletter serves a biweekly digest to consolidate and archive events and news from various library directed outreach from the Montana Library Network within the Montana State Library. This newsletter will go out on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.
The Montana State Library is seeking library staff to participate on the E-Resources Core Services Committee. The expected commitment is 1-3 hours per month.
This committee will advise the Network Advisory Council on the e-resources needs of all Montana library users. Tasks for Fiscal Year 2023 will be to evaluate ARPA-funded resources and to draft a collection development policy for e-resources. These tasks will help the Network Advisory Council to prioritize funds for statewide programs as they become available.
Please contact Cara Orban, corban@mt.gov if you are interested in participating.
IMLS recently shared a report titled "Understanding the Social Wellbeing Impacts of the Nation's Libraries and Museums". This report examines the roles of museums and libraries in promoting social wellbeing in communities across the United States, and is publicly available for reading and sharing. Check it out at the link below!
IMLS Report on Social Wellbeing Impacts of Libraries and Museums
 For those of you who are interested in Alzheimer’s and Dementia programming, we are looking for libraries to host an art exhibit from Marc Steinberg, a Missoula resident who took up painting after his Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2020. More details below:
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Who is the artist? Marc Steinberg is a Missoula resident and retired doctor (who served the White Sulphur Springs area for many years) who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s last year. He took up painting as a way to cope, and created this art exhibit. You can watch him talk about his process in this video from the Missoula Public Library October Memory Café.
- July Update: I received word from Marc's wife, Debbie, that Marc passed away on July 1st. Please see Marc's Obituary to learn more about his life. Debbie mentioned how happy Marc was to have his art displayed, so thank you to the libraries who are hosting!
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What does the exhibit include? 15 framed and matted original paintings from Marc, a framed artist’s statement/info, and 15 laminated foamboard paintings (for viewers to touch and handle if they want). The framed paintings have wires/small metal hanging hoops on the back that you can use to mount in a display area, or you can also display them around a space, on shelves, etc. It’s up to you! I’ve attached a picture of Marc’s art down below too.
- What do hosting responsibilities entail?
- Coordinating shipping the artwork (MSL will pay for shipping, but we will need you to unpack/pack up the art, and confirm that FedEx picked it up)
- Displaying Marc’s art in a designated space, along with the artist’s statement
- Publicizing Marc’s art exhibit to your community (we can help provide templates and graphic design materials if you want)
- Hosting an Alzheimer’s-related program with the goal of raising public awareness and education on Alzheimer’s/dementia.
- Options for an Alzheimer’s-related program for the public:
- Beth Ammons, MD, a retired palliative health care worker and current Alzheimer’s/dementia advocate, is available via Zoom to give a presentation/answer questions
- Alzheimer’s Association: AA has a variety of informative programs and lectures for the general public. I can provide a more in-depth list if you are interested in this option.
- Design your own! I am happy to brainstorm ideas with you!
We are looking to organize a tour of this exhibit around different libraries, with each library hosting for a month or two (or longer, if you prefer). Any kind of library is welcome to host, as long as you are okay with the hosting responsibilities outlined above! Please email me back with any questions you may have, happy to chat more via phone, Zoom, or email.
Montana Legislative Districting Update
The Montana Districting and Apportionment Commission will be reviewing and drawing maps that will assign Montanans to 100 House districts and 50 Senate districts. These maps will affect how people are represented in the Legislature from 2024 to 2034. To share information about this important process and why it matters to your patrons and communities, please see the Ready, set, MAP MT article from 6/7/22.
Public Library Standards - How to Fill Them Out
This year public library directors and their board chairs have been receiving the Standards forms through DocuSign - thanks to those who have completed them already!.
For the remaining libraries here's a reminder on the process:
You will receive an email from Genevieve Lighthiser/DocuSign. Click on the link in the email to be taken to DocuSign. You will see a pdf form and will be asked to select yes, no, or automatic deferral for each standard.
If your answers are only yes or automatic deferral, you will receive a second email from DocuSign after you finish the first step of providing your status on each standard and clicking “FINISH”. That second email will allow you to sign the Certification Statement on the last page. It will then go to the email of the board chair who will need to sign it through DocuSign. Once everyone has signed the document, you will receive a copy for your records.
If you need to request a deferral (different from the automatic deferrals already granted by the Library Commission due to the revised standards taking effect July 1): Please select no for any standard(s) that you do not meet. You will be able to explain why and share your plan for meeting that standard. The document will then go to Jennie Stapp, State Librarian, for review. She will respond. The system will then send you her responses for you to review. When you are ready, you can electronically sign the document through DocuSign. It will then be emailed to your board chair who will electronically sign it in the same way. You will then receive a copy for your records.
If you have an earlier email but click the link and get a "link expired" message don't panic - the system is set to automatically resend a new link.
Please verify your board chair's email address in ASPeN so the process can be completed. Or, contact your consultant with the information.
The deadline to complete the standards is July 25, 2022.
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Reminder: Okta Account Set Up for ASPeN Sign In and Access
The Montana State Library is now using Okta instead of ePass for authentication into our web applications, including ASPeN.
On Tuesday, all ASPeN users should have received an activation email from noreply@okta.com with the subject “Welcome to Okta!” This email includes a link to perform the final setup steps of your Okta account, which you will then use to to sign in to ASPeN with the red button on the right side of the screen.
The email from Okta will look something like this:
Here is a helpful "How to Create an Okta Account" guide on the MSL Help Desk, that provides a step-by-step guide on how to create your account, and troubleshoot common problems.
If you have any issues with your Okta account, please submit a Help Desk Ticket and someone will assist you!
Montana Memory Project News
The Montana State Capitol turned 120 years old this weekend
We invite you to take a look at our digital exhibit on the construction of the Montana State Capitol. That exhibit can be viewed here.
CE Task Force: Nominations and Applications Open
Please use this form to nominate individuals/apply to join the MSL Continuing Education and Certification Program Task Force.
The deadline to apply or nominate is Sunday, July 31, 2022.
Task Force members will be selected to represent directors, trustees, and staff, library size, library type (public, academic, special) federation service areas, and various levels of experience with the current continuing education and certification program.
The task force members are charged with the following:
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Participate fully in the activities of the task force as a representative of library sizes, types, geographic location, and staff roles
- Review and consider continuing education needs and priorities as identified by MSL Core Services Committees and the Network Advisory Council
- Review and consider continuing education needs and priorities as identified by public library trustees, directors, and staff
- Understand the 2022 Public Library Standards and changes to CE requirements
- Evaluate the current Goals for the CE Program and make recommendations for changes to the MSL Commission
- Evaluate the current Continuing Education (CE) program requirements and make recommendations for changes to the MSL Commission
The Task Force will meet via Zoom on the following dates from 1:30-3:00 p.m.
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Thursday, October 6
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Monday, October 17
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Monday, November 7
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Monday, November 14
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Monday, November 21
Questions? Contact Colet Bartow, MSL Continuing Education Coordinator, colet.bartow@mt.gov or 406-444-3365
Webside Chats with State Librarian Jennie Stapp
Update ASPeN Info
On-Demand Learning for Libraries
Check out the recently updated Learning for Libraries webpage. On-demand learning is listed for Library Directors, Library Staff, and Trustees.
MSL Certification Manual
Subscribe to CE Newsletter
Subscribe to the Continuing Education Newsletter—sent once a month with one highlighted topic for Library Directors, Library Staff, and Trustees. The first edition featured Library Law Resources for Directors, continuing education requirement and voluntary certification information for Trustees, and WebJunction links for staff.
Subscribe to the MSL Newsletters to get regular updates on continuing education and other important news!
Contact
Colet Bartow, Continuing Education Coordinator, colet.bartow@mt.gov, 406-444-3365 with your questions.
CSLP 2025 Slogan and 2026 Themes - Time to Vote!
CSLP is starting the process of choosing the 2025 Slogan, and the 2025 Theme! CSLP members (which includes all Montana public libraries) are invited to assist with the process by participating in the following:
- Join in on listening sessions to share your thoughts on the slogan and theme ideas
- Tell your state rep (Amelea) which slogan/theme you support, so that she can vote for Montana's top picks at the Annual Meeting in August!
Here are the listening sessions. You can attend one, or both, and they are free and open to all Montana public libraries to attend!
- Monday, August 15th from 1 - 2 pm MT
- Wednesday, August 17th, from 9 - 10 am MT
We want to give a huge thank you to the CSLP Theme & Slogan Review Committee for facilitating the year long process to create the future CSLP themes and slogans voting slate. If you would like to join this committee – please contact one of the co-chairs Laura Kelly or Donna Throckmorton for more information or learn more about other CSLP Committees here [cslpreads.org].
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Ready 2 Read Rendezvous 2022
Exciting news! The 2022 Ready 2 Read Rendezvous will be in-person in Lewistown, MT from October 21st - 23rd! The schedule workshop and speakers are TBD, but more information will be forthcoming hopefully in June. If you would like more information on the Ready 2 Read Rendezvous, please look at the 2019 schedule and information webpage, as the 2022 Rendezvous will be similarly formatted.
Please feel free to reach out to Amelea Kim at akim@mt.gov with any questions, and excited to see you all in Lewistown in October!
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Montana Library Resources
This section is a list of resources that may be of interest to the general Montana library audience. Feel free to contribute to this section of the newsletter by sending things to Amelea Kim at akim@mt.gov.
General Resources
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Marketing Resources for Libraries: The Super Library Marketing blog is a great resource for marketing and publicity ideas. Recently, they did a post on how to share the cost-saving benefits of a public library. Particularly in light of the inflation increases that are happening around the country, this can be a great time to remind your patrons on how libraries can help them save money while still accessing great resources.
Children and Youth Services Resources
Grant Opportunities
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National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) Awards Available: If you are interested in providing health information services at your library, consider checking out NNLM's grant awards. These grants provide support for public libraries that assist with consumer health information, and are a great way to implement any health related ideas you might have. Check out the awards for Region 4, which Montana is located in.
New Database Resource: HeritageQuest Genealogical Database
All public and tribal libraries have access to the HeritageQuest genealogical database through December 2022! Please contact Cara Orban (corban@mt.gov) to set up access for your patrons. This service is paid through American Rescue Plan Act funds in partnership with Missoula Public Library, who holds the contract.
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June/July/August
Click on the image below to see the coming months and register for upcoming events.
Image of events calendar - linked to calendar of events
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