Trustee Newsletter

News and information relevant to public library trustees, sent monthly on the second Tuesday

In this Issue Certification Frequently Asked Questions Looking Back

Certification

Providing high quality service to patrons is the way to assure Montana's public libraries remain successful. The Montana library community needs well-educated trustees to sustain this success. Library trustees must be aware of the issues, opportunities, and challenges facing public libraries. The skills developed through voluntary certification allow trustees to fulfill their responsibilities to their library and its patrons.

Since it is the beginning of the new fiscal year and it is time to reflect on accomplishments and challenges from the past year, please take a few minutes to reflect on continuing education and certification.

To be clear: certification is optional for individual trustees.

Some numbers to consider

Of the approximately 400 public library trustees who serve only 27 have completed certification with another 157 who have started a certification track in the last three years and may be working toward completing a certificate.

Congratulations to these individuals who are currently certified!

If you or other board members are interested in setting a goal of certification for the majority of board members, here is some additional information that may assist you. If your board completes 3 hours of continuing education every year, you are very close to being eligible for the optional trustee track!

Program Overview - Optional Trustee Track

15 continuing education credits earned in a 4-year period which includes:

• Minimum of 10 credits in the Library Administration category
• Balance of credits are electives

Trustees can earn a specialization in Collection Management and Technical Services, Library Services to the Public, or Technology by accumulating a minimum of 10 credits in that category.

One credit is equal to one hour. Only .5 is accepted for partial credits earned; no other partial credits are accepted.

Get Started on Certification

• Login to ASPeN with your OKTA account.
  • If you need to create an Okta account, please follow these instructions.
  • Create an Okta account
• Login to ASPeN and register for CE in the events calendar
• Claim CE credits when you complete CE activities
• If you run into any roadblocks, submit a help ticket.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost?

• There is no fee for certification; however, there may be costs in terms of time and possible travel expenses.

Why should I get certified?

• Increase board member effectiveness
• Increase board involvement
• Contribute to a professional team atmosphere for the board
• Grow your leadership skills
• Improve your library

What will I learn through the trustee certification program?

• Knowledge of applicable laws, current library trends and services
• Conduct and contribute to effective board meetings
• Build effective relationships with the director, local government officials, and community members.
• Encourage and promote active use of the library
• Recruit, hire, and evaluate the library director
• Develop policies that will result in the effective operation of the library
• Adopt a budget that meets the current and planned operational needs of the library
• Assess library building needs and attempt to create and/or maintain a physical building that is user friendly and accessible
• Develop and evaluate short- and long-term plans for the library
• Develop and maintain partnerships with other organizations, agencies, and institutions including Friends and Foundations

Where can I find Continuing Education?

• ASPeN event calendar
• MSL Learn – Montana State Library’s online learning platform.
• MSL YouTube Channel – find recorded sessions to watch at your convenience and then claim CE credits in ASPeN.
• Federation meetings
• Montana Library Association (MLA) – MLA sponsors workshops, conferences, and other continuing education opportunities.
• WebJunction – MSL sponsors access to a large collection of live webinars and online courses across all CE categories and jobs
• Trainings offered through your municipal or county government are a very good source for continuing education
• Staff training days offered at your library

Looking Back

Montana State Library News – August 1991

Montana State Library News – August 1996

Read past issues of the Trustee Newsletter and important announcements from MSL.

Visit this webpage for handbooks and resources just for trustees.

Statewide Consulting Librarians are assigned to individual public libraries within specified consulting territories. These territories are based on the six Library Federations. 

The consulting program is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Montana State Library.