PRESS RELEASE
February 2, 2026
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jennie Stapp, State Librarian
109 Librarians and Trustees Earn Montana State Library Certification in 2025
(HELENA) ---The Montana State Library is pleased to announce that 109 librarians and trustees from across Montana earned certification through the Montana State Library (MSL) certification program. The goal of MSL’s certification program is to ensure that Montana’s library patrons receive the best possible library service from well-trained library staff who are committed to offering 21st century library services.
MSL issued 19 trustee, 46 library administration, and 43 library staff certificates. Certification recipients include public library staff as well as state agency, university, and tribal college library directors. Their individual efforts total more than 5,500 hours of learning over the past 4 years.
“Montana’s libraries provide excellent educational programming and services to Montanans due, in large part, to the ongoing commitment of library directors, trustees, and staff to continuing education. These professionals understand that their investment in professional development means that their communities benefit from continually improving library services,” said Jennie Stapp, Montana State Librarian. “The State Library’s certification program ensures that Montana librarians have up-to-date credentials, much like our colleagues in K-12 education. There’s always something to learn at your library and your librarians bring something new from every training and workshop they attend. We congratulate all of the 2025 MSL certification awardees for their hard work and dedication to Montana libraries.”
The Montana State Library actively promotes professional development for trustees and library staff through its Continuing Education and Certification Program. This effort includes providing information and resources to connect local library trustees and staff with the continuing education they need to be successful in providing excellent library services in their communities. Certification is one way to demonstrate expertise and commitment to improving library services across the state.
Conrad Public Library Director Tiffany Chrisensen says, “the MSL certification program has been the perfect opportunity to stay current with training to better serve our patrons in a constantly evolving field while also investing in our staff members through their own professional development.”
To receive the Library Certification, participants earn 60 or more valid continuing education credits in a four-year period. Certification expires in four years, so librarians must continue to seek professional development to maintain their certification. Public library trustees earn 15 continuing education credits in a four-year period to achieve certification.
“As a Trustee, I learned so much about the services and management of our local, regional and State libraries through the certification process. We are better prepared to move forward to engage our community in the offerings of our Library. “Julie Bushmaker, Board Chair, Butte-Silver Bow Public Library
The Montana State Library provides information, resources, and guidance to organizations, communities, and residents of Montana to help them expand their knowledge and empower their decisions. Our leading-edge data and applications help those seeking answers about Montana’s government, natural resources, heritage, land ownership, and more while our vital services improve public libraries and provide reading materials to those with disabilities.
For more information, visit www.msl.mt.gov.
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Applicant Name
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Certificate
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Library
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Allpress, Amanda
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Library Administration
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Missoula Public Library
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Altius, Annelise
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Staff
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Billings Public Library
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Backus, Matthew
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Staff
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Lewis and Clark Library
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Baker, Brenda
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Library Administration
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Dorothy Asbjornson Community Library
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Baldwin, Bryan
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Staff
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Lewis and Clark Library
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Baugus, Amanda
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Staff
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Great Falls Public Library
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Benjamin, Sierra
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Staff
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Flathead County Library
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|
Beyl, Mikayla
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Staff
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Billings Public Library
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Biehl, Katie
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Staff
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Bozeman Public Library
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Blanchard, Claudia
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Staff
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Meagher County/City Library
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|
Bowns, Carmela
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Trustee
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Bitterroot Public Library
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|
Branch, Jana
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Trustee
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Bitterroot Public Library
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|
Brandvold, Cathy
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Library Administration
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Valier Public Library
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|
Bridwell, Joy
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Trustee
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Havre-Hill County Library
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|
Bruggeman, Megan
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Staff
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Bozeman Public Library
|
|
Buchanan, Crystal
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Library Administration
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Thompson Falls Public Library
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|
Bullard, MaryKay
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Library Administration
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Bicentennial Library of Colstrip
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|
Burkhart, Amanda
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Library Administration
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Lewis and Clark Library
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|
Burnim, Elianna
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Staff
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Bozeman Public Library
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|
Bushmaker, Julie
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Trustee
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Butte-Silver Bow Public Library
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|
Butler-Aveson, Liza
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Staff
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Flathead County Library
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|
Caffee, Angelica
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Staff
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Bitterroot Public Library
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|
Cain, Scott
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Trustee
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Red Lodge Carnegie Library
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|
Campbell, Kathryn
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Staff
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Lewis and Clark Library
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|
Chaberek, Guna
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Library Administration
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Mineral County Library
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Christensen, Tiffany
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Library Administration
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Conrad Public Library
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|
Christofferson, Rolane
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Library Administration
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Prairie County Library
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|
Clark, Carmen
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Library Administration
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Bozeman Public Library
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|
Cline, Darlene
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Library Administration
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Chouteau County Library
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|
Clum, Clare
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Library Administration
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Lewis and Clark Library
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|
Corwin, Jennifer
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Staff
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Lewis and Clark Library
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|
DeMontigny, Bobbi
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Library Administration
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Montana State Library
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|
Deans, Dustina
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Library Administration
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Lincoln County Library
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|
Delsigne, Carly
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Library Administration
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North Jefferson County Library District
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|
DesRochers, Michele
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Library Administration
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West Yellowstone Public Library
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|
Dooley, Abigail
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Library Administration
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North Lake County Library District
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|
Dutro Sauter, Sunday
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Trustee
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Thompson Falls Public Library
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|
Eidson, Janet
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Staff
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Glasgow City-County Library
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|
Engen, Maren
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Library Administration
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Chouteau County Library
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|
Ericksen, Nichole
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Library Administration
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Plains Public Library District
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|
Erickson, Jasmine
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Staff
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Fallon County Library
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|
Erickson, Julie
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Library Administration
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Liberty County Library
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|
Field, MariAnn
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Staff
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Bozeman Public Library
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|
Focht, Cheri
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Library Administration
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Twin Bridges Public Library
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|
French, Jennifer
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Library Administration
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Philips County Library
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|
Fuhringer Cheri
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Library Administration
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Choteau/Teton Public Library
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|
Funston, Desiree
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Library Administration
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Missoula Public Library
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|
Furman, Martha
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Library Administration
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Lewis and Clark Library
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Gilfeather, Jorden
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Staff
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Billings Public Library
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|
Gouley, Brandie
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Trustee
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Meagher County/City Library
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|
Grande, Lynda
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Trustee
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Stillwater County Library
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|
Grotbo, Chris
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Trustee
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Valier Public Library
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|
Hadlow, Christine
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Library Administration
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Missoula Public Library
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|
Hensley, Dakota
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Staff
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Thompson Falls Public Library
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|
Higgins, Treva
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Staff
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Great Falls Public Library
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|
Hvizdak, Barb
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Trustee
|
Lincoln County Library
|
|
Jin, Joleen
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Library Administration
|
Missoula Public Library
|
|
Kauffman, Jenny
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Staff
|
Missoula Public Library
|
|
Keane, Francesca
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Staff
|
Billings Public Library
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|
Klee, Larry
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Trustee
|
Billings Public Library
|
|
Lanning, Joe
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Staff
|
Billings Public Library
|
|
Lastowski, Tim
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Trustee
|
Conrad Public Library
|
|
Lemon, Jennifer
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Staff
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Bozeman Public Library
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|
Lindborg, Myra
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Trustee
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Plains Public Library District
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|
Livingston, Janet
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Library Administration
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Roosevelt County Library
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|
Lujan, Courtney
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Staff
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Billings Public Library
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|
Marullo, Noreen
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Staff
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Billings Public Library
|
|
McRae, Kristy
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Staff
|
Lewis and Clark Library
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|
Meredith, Maggie
|
Staff
|
Montana Historical Society Library and Archives
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|
Mitchell, Barb
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Library Administration
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Henry A Malley Memorial Library
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|
Mueller, Robert
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Staff
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Missoula Public Library
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|
Murnion, Carrie
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Library Administration
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Garfield County Free Library
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|
Oberweiser, Jodi
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Library Administration
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Drummond School & Community Library
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|
Oetken, Heidi
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Staff
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Jefferson County Library
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|
Peterson, Sarah
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Library Administration
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Miles City Public Library
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|
Peterson, Tina
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Library Administration
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Harlowton Public Library
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|
Pofahl, Elizabeth
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Staff
|
Lewis and Clark Library
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|
Powell, Nancy
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Trustee
|
Conrad Public Library
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|
Prosperie, Christian
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Staff
|
Lewis and Clark Library
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|
Rayhill, Gladys
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Library Administration
|
Belt Public Library
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|
Ritland, Jessalyn
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Trustee
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Chouteau County Library
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|
Rivers, Rachel
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Staff
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Lewis and Clark Library
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|
Robinson, Camille
|
Staff
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Bicentennial Library of Colstrip
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|
Rogers, Emmon
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Library Administration
|
Lewis and Clark Library
|
|
Rutherford, Joseph
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Staff
|
Medicine Spring Library
|
|
Sandersfeld, Emily
|
Staff
|
North Valley Public Library
|
|
Scott, Jacque
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Trustee
|
Carnegie Public Library
|
|
Shaw, Sarah
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Library Administration
|
Chouteau County Library
|
|
Simpson, George
|
Trustee
|
North Lake County Public Library
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|
Stainbrook, Laura
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Library Administration
|
Denton Public Library
|
|
Sweet, Ava
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Staff
|
Missoula Public Library
|
|
Tatsakron, Danielle
|
Staff
|
Billings Public Library
|
|
Thomas, Megan
|
Library Administration
|
Billings Public Library
|
|
Tweeten, Jon
|
Staff
|
Missoula Public Library
|
|
Ulberg, McKinzie
|
Library Administration
|
Lewis and Clark Library
|
|
Underwood, Jonna
|
Library Administration
|
Sheridan County Library
|
|
Vang, Kay
|
Trustee
|
Butte-Silver Bow Public Library
|
|
Vauthier, Carly
|
Library Administration
|
Harlem Public Library
|
|
Wahlstrom, Rachel
|
Library Administration
|
Meagher County/City Library
|
|
Walliman, Eric
|
Library Administration
|
Lewis and Clark Library
|
|
Washburn, Shannon
|
Library Administration
|
Meagher County/City Library
|
|
Wellcome, John
|
Staff
|
Belgrade Public Library
|
|
Wetherington, Mark
|
Library Administration
|
Bitterroot Public Library
|
|
Wilson, Brandon
|
Trustee
|
Plains Public Library District
|
|
Witcher, Emily
|
Library Administration
|
Lewis and Clark Library
|
|
Wooldridge, Mary
|
Staff
|
Missoula Public Library
|
|
Yazzie, Vananda
|
Staff
|
Glacier County Library
|
|
Zimmerman, Cassi
|
Staff
|
Meagher County/City Library
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