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G2S Project Code: 2022-MT-91968
State: Montana
Fiscal Year: 2022

Grantee
Montana State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Tracy Cook
Director Phone: 406-431-0685
Director Email: tcook2@mt.gov

General Information
Title: Match-Only State Project
State Project Code: NAC, FEDERATION PMTS
Start Date: 07/01/2022
End Date: 06/30/2023
Abstract: Montana organized its public libraries into six regional networks called federations. Library federations provided staff and trustees with formal and informal network opportunities at spring and fall meetings hosted around the state. Through this supportive environment, libraries worked together to develop better library services in Montana. The state provided funds to the federations based on population and county square miles. Following a plan of service, the federations used funds to support resource sharing, technology, outreach, and continuing education. The Network Advisory Council (NAC) served as another source of library community leadership. The NAC met four times to assess community needs, identify innovation opportunities, and assist with statewide planning. Federations and the Network Advisory Council all received coordination and reporting support from Montana State Library staff.
State Goal: Community Leadership

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$0.00

$269,154.58

$0.00

$269,154.58

Intent(s)
Improve library operations.
Library Infrastructure & Capacity

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Library Federation Meetings
Narrative: Public library trustees and directors met to create and monitor plans for federation grants. At these meetings, participants also worked together on topics of regional relevance. For example, the Broad Valleys Federation, which encompasses 21 public libraries in 12 counties in the southwest corner of the state, supplemented their meeting with First Aid, CPR, and AED training which will help the directors better serve the public during emergency situations. Other federations worked together on topics such as crisis intervention, human resources, and disaster preparation. Libraries continued to report the value of federations in providing networking opportunities, especially for trustees, and supporting participation in statewide services.
Intent: Improve library operations.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Other
Format: Combined in-person & virtual
Other: 12 hybrid meetings

Quantity

Partner Information

Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No

Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No

Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types

Public Libraries: 82
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Network Advisory Council Meetings
Narrative: The Network Advisory Council (NAC) advised the Montana State Library regarding the effective delivery of statewide library services. The council was composed of nine representative librarians from public, tribal, and academic libraries of varying sizes. This year, the council met four times to help staff prioritize projects. The group used the strategic triangle as their decision-making framework, a model that helps ensure that programs and services reflect the interests of local communities. This information was used to shape the library's 2024 Library Development Plan, which will be tracked using the State Library's Work Plan dashboard. Feedback from NAC members: "These plans have a healthy balance across many service areas and needs for libraries - I can see something for every library in this plan!"; "It's great to see so many of the projects in progress."
Intent: Improve library operations.

Activity: Planning & Evaluation
Mode: Prospective
Format: In-house
Other: 4 hybrid meetings

Quantity
Number of evaluations and/or plans funded: 1
Number of funded evaluation and/or plans completed: 1

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 82
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Question 1: I believe the planning and evaluation addresses library needs.
Strongly Agree: 4
Agree: 2
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I am satisfied with the extent to which the plan or evaluation addresses library needs.
Strongly Agree: 3
Agree: 3
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I believe the information from the plan or evaluation will be applied to address library needs.
Strongly Agree: 4
Agree: 2
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
The Pathfinder federation (north central counties) coordinator surveyed the15 member libraries by asking, "what is the value of federations?" Words repeated by participants included camaraderie, collaboration, commiserate, mentor, team building, growth, discussion, and understanding. Since federation meetings are held within the region, they require less travel than large state conferences making them a more attainable option for smaller libraries with limited resources. Library trustees highly rated federation meetings because of the board specific training and networking they can deliver. Other training opportunities such as library conferences tend to focus more on the professional development of library directors and font-line staff.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
With this feedback in mind, the State Library Commission approved additional funding for library federations specifically for trustee attendance at meetings and all-board training events. Montana's public library standards now require library boards to engage in three hours of training each year. This additional support will help libraries meet the standard.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Providing opportunities for trustees to learn more about library services and to connect with peers helps boards stay abreast of important issues impacting libraries.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:

Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative

Project Tags: advisory groups, trustees