Trustee Newsletter

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

In this Issue Honoring Veterans October Certifications New Personnel Management Resource New MSL Learn Courses Recent Webinars and New Videos Upcoming Events Looking Back

Reinig, Edw. M. (Edward M.), 1879-1947, Company-H, Helena, Montana, Oct. 24, 1917. (1917-10-24). Montana History Portal, accessed 06/11/2025, https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/75653

Today is Veteran's Day. Montana's commitment to military service has been exceptional over the past century and more. As you honor veterans, with programs or participating in local events, please join us in thanking current and veteran military members for their service.

October Certifications

• Amanda Allpress, Library Administrator Renewal, Missoula Public Library, Missoula
• Bryan Baldwin, Staff, Lewis and Clark Library, Helena
• Bobbi DeMontigny, Library Administrator Renewal, MSL, Helena
• Maggie Meredith, Staff, Montana Historical Society, Helena
• Elizabeth Pofahl, Staff, Lewis and Clark Library, Helena
• Gladys Rayhill, Library Administrator Renewal, Belt Public Library, Belt
• George Simpson, Trustee, North Lake County District Library, Polson
• John Wellcome, Staff, Belgrade Community Library, Belgrade

Are you close to completing a certification track?

Login to ASPeN to view your certification track, credit balance, and end date.

Questions? Contact Colet Bartow or Submit a Help Ticket.

NEW! The Library Board’s Guide to Working with Library Personnel

This new information guide focuses on roles of the board and director in personnel evaluation and performance management. Visit the MSL Personnel Support or Trustee webpages for more information. Contents Introduction Director Evaluation and Performance Management Setting Clear Expectations A Good Evaluation Process Evaluation: Checking In Annual Evaluation Performance Improvement  Progressive Discipline Best Practices Personnel Management Roles and Responsibilities Board Chair Board Director HR Specialist Grievances Grievance Steps Protect Confidentiality Related Resources

New MSL Learn Courses

Lawful and Fair: Policy Development for Public Libraries

This course will provide an overview for policy development processes and resources.  Policies that are consistent with laws and fair for library staff and patrons help libraries in their mission to provide information and safe spaces for their communities. Board members, library directors, library staff, and the public benefit from thoughtful and lawful policies.

Course content is based on the MSL Policy Development Handbook and content from a webinar series with legal expert Kris Goss.

2 credits

More Webinar Courses Added

You can enroll in an MSL Learn course to watch the videos, work through discussion questions, and explore resources.

For those tracking credits for MSL Certification, credits are transferred to ASPeN at the end of each month for all course completions--no need to navigate between MSL Learn and ASPeN.

• Collection Management Webinars
• Connecting with Local Government Webinars
• Legal Topics Webinars
• Library Budget and Finance Webinars
• Roadmap Webinars
• Data and Reporting Webinars

Recent Webinars and New Videos

• Navigating the Roadmap to Excellence: Increase Community Awareness
• Legal Topics: Personnel Questions and Laws
• Legal Topics: Conducting an Executive Session in a Public Meeting
• Navigating the Roadmap to Excellence: Improve Library Funding and Structure
• Webside Chat (October 10, 2025)
• Navigating the Roadmap to Library Excellence: Planning and Evaluating

Upcoming Events

• November 14 – Webside Chat @ Noon
• December 3 – Kanopy Streaming Video & Montana Libraries
• December 10 - MSL Commission Meeting

We’re planning a new webinar series focused on Access and Accessibility that will start on January 13, 2026.  Look for more information, dates, and resources in the coming weeks.

Looking Back

Montana State Library, 1997-12 - Big Sky Libraries, Volume 54 (1997-12). Montana History Portal, accessed 20/10/2025, https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/115450

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.