Trustee Newsletter

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

In this Issue 2025 Fall Workshop Resource Roundup Looking Back

2025 Fall Workshop

September 15-16, 2025

Heritage Inn - Great Falls, MT

Directors and trustees are invited to participate in the Montana State Library Fall Leadership Workshop.

Our keynote speaker will be nationally recognized speaker Mazi Robinson and breakout sessions will focus on applying what we learn from Mazi to the foundational operations of libraries and boards.

Mazi is an experienced speaker specializing in personal and professional growth and enrichment.

She engages and inspires her audiences as she empowers and equips them to meet life’s challenges with confidence and courage. She conducts lively and interactive presentations inspiring and motivating individuals to fully seize their personal and professional potential.

General Schedule (tentative)

• Monday, September 15: 9:00 - 5:00
• Tuesday, September 16: 9:00 - 3:00

Registration Cost: Free - lunch will be provided each day.

MSL will not reimburse hotel or travel expenses.

Detailed Schedule to Follow.

Funding for this program comes from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Montana State Library.

Resource Roundup

New Resources

The Montana State Library Consulting Team offers various handbooks and guides on a variety of topics. Newly updated resources include

• New Staff Member Onboarding
• Trustee Handbook
• Role of the Board Chair

For more information, guides, or a refresher, please check out the Consulting webpage.

Upcoming Webinars

TODAY @ Noon! July 8 Legal Topics: Patron Behavior and Safety Policies

• July 15 Legal Topics: Surveillance and Video Recordings in Public Spaces
• July 22 Legal Topics: Meeting Rooms and the Library as a Public Forum
• August 12 Navigating the Roadmap to Excellence: Programming in Libraries
• August 15 Webside Chat
• August 19 Legal Topics: Children/Minors in the Library
• September 9 Navigating the Roadmap to Excellence: Increase Community Awareness
• September 23 Legal Topics: Personnel Questions and Laws
• September 30 Legal Topics: Conducting an Executive Session in a Public Meeting

Recent Webinars and New Videos

• Introduction to the Public Library Staffing & Salaries Study Dashboard and Compensation Handbook
• Patron Privacy and Practical Steps for Data Management in Montana Public Libraries
• Legal Topics: Drafting, Enforcing, and Managing Operational Policies
• Webside Chat

Looking Back

Montana State Library, 1995-07 - Montana State Library News Update - Number 40 (1995-07). Montana History Portal, accessed 07/07/2025, https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/114220

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.