MSL Home > About MSL > Staff Biographies
Staff Biographies
Note: Additional biographical information for the Library Development Department is listed here.
Scott Blum
Montana Natural Heritage Program Assistant Biologist (Data Wrangler)
Years of MSL Service: 2
Scott's current main function for the Heritage Program is to review database records for
animal observations: if you've submitted an animal observation to NHP, there's a better than good
chance that Scott has given it the once over. Scott was born and aged in Oswego, New York on the
shore of Lake Ontario (Official Town Motto: "Oswego, where the water never ends."
Unofficial Town Motto: "At least we're not Fulton."). In fits and starts, he completed a B.S. in Zoology
(SUNY Oswego) and an A.S. in Zoo Animal Technology (SFCC Gainesville, Florida); subsequently launching
and crashing a brief career as a zookeeper at the Racine Zoo in Wisconsin and the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois.
After a nine year sabbatical at Pet Pals pet store (Liverpool, NY), he returned to school to chase mountain
lions for his M.S. in Ecology from Idaho State University, Pocatello. During and after graduate school he
spent time as a technician on various research projects including tracking lynx and coyote around Seeley
Lake and collecting bear hair in the Swan Valley. Scott spends his time in and around Helena hiking with
his dog, Bug, and honing his bread baking skills.
Christie O. Briggs
Regional Librarian/Supervisor
Years of MSL Service: 10
Christie has 15 years in acute care hospital administration in Oregon; Regional
Manager with the American Cancer Society for five years. She has worked in the Montana
Governor's Office on Community Service and then Volunteer Coordinator at the Montana Talking
Book Library for one year prior to accepting the Supervisor position which she has held for
nine years. Christie studied at University of California (Chico State). She has received
undergraduate education at University of California (Chico State), and Blue Mountain
Community College in Pendleton, Oregon. She and her husband Charles have lived in
Helena since 1992 and have five grown children and three grand children.
Carol Churchill
Accounting Tech
Years of MSL Service: 10
Carol moved from Great Falls to Helena in 1991. She has also worked at
Department of Public Health and Human Services and the Department of Labor and Industry.
Carol started with the
State Library in December 1996. She thinks it is a great agency to work for.
Carol has two kids, ages 14 and 9. Taking care
of them takes up most of her time. The kids are in sports so they watch and travel to a
lot of sporting events.
Baseball and gymnastics are the kids' favorites. They also have two Bichon's at home.
One on the large side and one on the small side for their breed. Both good dogs.
They also have a cat and all enjoy the outdoors and going camping in the summer.
Bob Cooper
Director of Library Development
Years of MSL Service: 10
Sue Crispin
Director, Montana Natural Heritage Program
Years of MSL Service: 9
Sue has been director of the Montana Natural Heritage Program since 1998. She began
her career as a botanist with Michigan's Natural Heritage Program and worked with similar programs
throughout the Great Lakes region and Canada. She enjoys hiking, fishing, photography,
and "weekend botany" in Montana.
Allan Cox
Systems and Services Manager
Years of MSL Service: 20
Allan is the Systems and Services Manager for the Montana Natural Heritage Program where he
manages the Program's information services' databases, web services and geographic
information systems. The Montana Natural Heritage Program is Montana's source for
information on Montana's native species and habitats, emphasizing those of conservation concern.
Allan has 20 years of GIS, natural resource program, and project management experience.
Prior to coming to the Natural Heritage Program, Allan was the Program Manager for the
Montana Census and Economic Information Center (CEIC) at the Montana Department of Commerce.
From 1992 to 1998 Allan was Director of the Natural Resource Information System (NRIS), at
the Montana State Library. In 1987, Allan was responsible for the establishment of the
GIS Program at NRIS and served as its Coordinator until 1992.
Gerry Daumiller
Geographic Information Systems Specialist
Years of MSL Service: 18
Gerry was born in Kalispell and graduated from high school there. Gerry joined the Air Force for
four years, where he was a medical lab technician. During the next six years after that, Gerry
studied Geography at the University of Montana, was a medical lab technician at Deaconess Hospital
in Great Falls, and was a draftsman in the mapping section of the Highway Department in Helena.
Gerry spent three years in graduate school at the University of Wisconsin, studying Cartography.
Sibyl Govan
Digital Library Director and CIO
Years of MSL Service: 3
Sibyl grew up in New Mexico and Wyoming. She studied geology at the
University of Washington, business at Washington State University and public administration in the University of Nebraska distance MPA program.
Sibyl has spent the past ten years working as an IT project manager for the State of Montana including several years as the NRIS Projects Manager. Sibyl enjoys making art, reading, golfing, hiking, skiing and
Scrabble. Her crowning achievements in life are three well-adjusted, practically full-grown children.
Sara Groves
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Years of MSL Service: 3
Sara is the marketing and communications coordinator for the Montana State Library.
Prior to her work with the State Library, Sara worked in various marketing capacities for a
private consulting firm, the American Library Association, the Louisiana State University
Health Sciences Center and the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.
She has also worked as a professor of writing for Tulane University and the University of
New Orleans, and as a creative writing instructor at a maximum security prison. Sara has
published numerous short stories, poems, and essays, and is currently hard at work at a
forthcoming non-fiction book. Sara and her husband have two busy little boys named Mike and Peter.
Diane M. Gunderson
Coordinator of Volunteer Services and Recording Program Director
Years of MSL Service: 21
Diane joined the State Law Library staff in 1987 to work as the administrative assistant for the
Montana Faxnet Project. Nearly two years later, she joined the Library Development Program at the
Montana State Library and became Data Coordinator. In July of 2002 she was hired on at the Montana
Talking Book Library at the Montana State Library, as Coordinator of Volunteer Services and Director
of the Recording Program. She helped with the installation of the first Digital Recording Studio
in the U.S. Network Libraries. Diane was born and raised in Montana. She has two grown daughters
and four grandchildren. Interests include family, church youth group, reading, music, crafts,
needlework and dogs.
Sue Jackson
Library Development Department
Years of MSL Service: 8
Sue provides support to librarians across the state through grant programs, training events, and
statewide programs. After work, Sue enjoys what is special about Montana -- canoeing,
camping, hiking, skiing, and birding. Movies and books also make life interesting.
Jim Kammerer
Library Information Services Manager
Years of MSL Service: 5
As the State Publications Center Coordinator at the Montana State Library since June 2002,
Jim works with state agencies and depository libraries to insure permanent public access
to state government information created at taxpayer expense. Prior to this job, Jim worked
as a records manager/archivist for a consortium of semiconductor manufacturers. What's Jim's
favorite state publication? Answer:
the Montana State Constitution, of course. Read it.
It is beautiful.
Duane F. Lund
Geographic Information Systems Specialist
Years of MSL Service: 16
Duane was born in Plentywood and graduated from Custer County High School in Miles City,
Go Cowboys.
Duane graduated from Rocky Mountain College with a BS in Geology. After a couple years in the
oil fields of western North Dakota and eastern Montana, Duane farmed the family wheat
farm for eight years. He was introduced to computer cartography doing natural resource
inventory for the Fort Peck Tribes in Poplar MT before moving to Helena and the State
Library in 1991. Duane is a jack of all trades and has mastered none. Duane enjoys meat and
potatoes and a healthy amount of outdoor recreation.
Bryce A. Maxell
Senior Zoologist, Montana Natural Heritage Program
Years of MSL Service: 2.5
Bryce grew up dogsledding in the mountains of Utah, swam competitively in high school
and college, and is passionate about natural history.
Bryce completed a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Economics at the University of Puget Sound
in 1994 where he studied the demography of kelp species in the Puget Sound and was an
NAIA All-American in the 200-yard Breaststroke in 1992 and 1993. After undergrad,
he received a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship for a year long independent study of the Natural
History of Australia and New Zealand in 1994 and 1995. Bryce went to graduate school in the
Wildlife Biology Program at the University of Montana with a focus on Montana's
amphibian species and is still in the process of finishing his dissertation research
on the landscape ecology and demography of Columbia Spotted Frogs. Bryce has spent the last
nine years conducting field inventories and demographic studies of a number of
Montana's amphibians. During his time in Montana he has authored or coauthored
two books, eight peer reviewed publications, and 25-plus professional reports on amphibians,
reptiles, and fish. Bryce's main interests are natural history, conservation biology,
biogeography, and the effects of exotic species. He is also interested in conducting broad
based, statistically sound, baseline surveys for, and applying advanced techniques in
conservation biology to a wide variety of non-game taxa. Although interested
in working with all taxa, Bryce is especially interested in working with amphibians,
reptiles, mollusks, bats, and birds. Bryce is also interested in raising awareness about
the natural history and status of these species so that issues associated with their
management are properly addressed in management plans and so that they can be properly
appreciated by current and future generations.
Sarah McHugh
Statewide Projects Librarian
Years of MSL Service: 7
Sarah is from Missoula and Bigfork. Sarah has an M.A. in History from the University of Montana and a
library degree from Syracuse University. Prior to joining the MSL staff, Sarah worked for many
years doing reference and interlibrary loan work at the public library in Helena. In 2002, Sarah became
the Technical Services Supervisor at MSL. Six months later, Sarah was asked to temporarily assist with
the creation of a statewide shared library catalog. Sarah has managed the Montana Shared Catalog (MSC)
ever since. Facilitating statewide resource sharing and offering web based access to local
collections is a focus of the MSC. Sarah and her husband have three lovely daughters.
Lauren McMullen
Training Specialist
Years of MSL Service: 1
Lauren was Director of the Carnegie Public Library in Big Timber for 6 years before
coming to MSL. A PEEL Scholarship recipient, she will complete her Master's degree
in Library Information Science from the University of North Texas in August 2006.
Lauren lives on a ranch near Big Timber where she raises sheep, horses and cats
with her longtime partner, Keith. When she has some spare time, Lauren enjoys reading,
gardening, walking, crafts, floating the river, writing letters, and visiting with friends.
Maggie Meredith
Statewide Technology Librarian
Years of MSL Service: 4
Maggie attended library school at University of Texas-Austin and has worked in public,
academic and government libraries. In her current job, Maggie assists
libraries throughout the state, focusing on
libraries in the Pathfinder and Golden Plains Federations. She also assists on
statewide projects such as Trustee Training and the Library Board Education Program.
Michael C. Price
Montana Library Network Information Manager
Years of MSL Service: 6.5
Michael was born in Canada, lives in the good old U S of A, and plans to retire in the warm
climes of Argentina.
Did "bunches of stuff" in that middle part with school, college, marriage, kids, family,
jobs, travel, recreation, etc. Michael enjoys his kids, the outdoors, a good book, and a
tasty rack of baby back pork ribs with
sides of sweet baked beans and cole slaw washed down with an ice cold mug of beer!
Dave Ratz
Web Application Developer (or Second Assistant Gofer)
Years of MSL Service: 2
Dave (aka "Ratz) is a "Forest Thinker" who appreciates the intricacy of the branches. Ratz was an
Air Force Brat, born in Okinawa, raised everywhere, and finally settled down in the
Rocky Mountains. He has worked in computers for nearly 20 years, but has tried his
hand at most every type of career. When he was 25, Ratz suffered a quarter-life crisis: sold
everything, bought a backpack, and lived in the woods for eight months.
Alas, for everything there is a season, and now he couldn't get by without his 80's music,
internet chess, cell phone, and golf clubs. Voted: Most likely to have a mullet.
Motto: Arms Up, Eyes Wide. Just call him an "Omnibus Prodigy" (not to be
confused with our resident Eccentric Savant).
Marjorie Smith
Client Services Assistant
Years of MSL Service: 10
Marjorie is the basement policewoman, that tells you where to go.
Marjorie has been with MSL for 10 years in October. The "great white hunter" brought
Marjorie to Montana in 1978. Once Marjorie and her husband built their home
in the Montana City area, they have
lived there ever since raising both children and a multitude of animals many of
which now reside in the backyard cemetery. With a 3 level model railroad
built in the basement, we will be in our house until the end of times.
Marjorie's retirement?
Darlene Marie Preble Staffeldt
State Librarian
Years of MSL Service: 31
Darlene has worked at the Montana State Library for 30 years and has worked in all of the departments and at
many different positions, the last year and a half as State Librarian. My husband Bill and I have raised two
wonderful daughters, Carla and Dora. If there is time beyond work and family commitments, I like to do
counted cross stitch, ceramics, read trashy novels, work sudoku puzzles, and take long walks with our dog Rey.
My main goal for the library community in Montana is that no Montanan walks away from any Montana
library with anything except the highest respect and greatest satisfaction! Montana's libraries serve
their users well!
David Stagliano
Aquatic Ecologist
Years of MSL Service: 3.5
David has been the Aquatic Ecologist for the Montana Natural Heritage Program
for 2.5 years. MTNHP is part of NRIS and the State Library. Dave came over from Moscow,
Idaho in 2003. He received a master's degree in aquatic entomology from Kansas State
University on prairie streams, and his B.S. from Cornell University in Ecology, minoring
in fisheries. He has worked professionally in 6 other states, including the USGS in
Denver, CO, the TVA in Tennessee, the Univ. of Alabama, the Michigan Natural Heritage
Program and private consulting firms, but doesn't plan to leave Montana.
Sandy Stanton
Reader's Advisor
Years of MSL Service: 1.5
Sandy began work here in January 2006, coming from a background of elementary education and
public library work. Sandy graduated from Utah State University and Xavier University of Cincinnati.
Although born and raised a Buckeye and with family all over the country,
Sandy is delighted to once again call Montana home.
Jennie Stapp
Montana Shared Catalog Technical Assistant
Years of MSL Service: 2
Jennie is a native of Montana. She has a BA from Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT and an
MLS from the University of Arizona in Tucson. Prior to joining the staff of the Montana State
Library she worked for three years as the Technical Services Librarian at the Montana Historical
Society. Jennie enjoys working with libraries from across Montana that are members of the Montana Shared Catalog.
Chris Stockwell
Library Systems Programmer/Analyst
Years of MSL Service: 2
Chris brings eclectic experience to the Montana Library community. Prior to starting at the Montana
State Library in July, Chris programmed at Siemens Medical Solutions for seven years. Prior to that,
he was a full-time volunteer fundraiser for community development in Gordon, Nebraska for 10 years.
His accomplishments include raising the funds for the new Gordon Library. Before that, Chris and Maggie
raised two kids while Maggie was a very busy family practitioner. Prior to that, Chris ran a construction
company in Hartington, Nebraska, got his MBA at Drexel University in Philadelphia, and wintered-over
in Antarctica as a Civil Engineer in the Navy. Chris's daughter, Hope, is capital reporter for Montana
Public Radio. His son, Will, just completed his Master's in Computer Science at MIT and is currently
living in New York City.
Jessica Tobin
Metadata & Collection Access Librarian
Years of MSL Service: 1
Jessica (Jess) was born and raised in scenic Wolf Point, Montana. Upon coming of age, she headed west to attend college
at UM-Missoula. She began her library stint 9 years ago behind the circulation desk of the Mansfield Library,
where she worked part-time while completing a BA in communication studies. After graduation, she moved on to the
circulation desk of the Missoula Public Library. There she happily assisted many, many patrons for about three years.
When a relocation to Helena became imminent, she found lots of work to do helping librarians of the Montana Shared
Catalog as its technical assistant for a year. Recently, she moved downstairs into the Montana State Digital Library,
where she is greatly enjoying cataloging both print and electronic state publications. Really. When she’s not
creating MARC records in the comfort of her cube, she enjoys reading, baking, hiking, playing tennis, and hanging
out with her geeky but lovable hubby Ben, and their two sometimes bored and destructive cats, Blur and Pixel.
Linda Vance
Wetland/Landscape Ecologist, Montana Natural Heritage Program
Years of MSL Service: 2
Another expat Canadian, Linda spent most of her adult life as a university professor and
part-time lawyer in Vermont. After discovering the big mountains, big skies, and deep
powder of the West, she fled the icy East, but inadvertently overshot the Rockies and ended
up in California. Although she never quite recovered from the shock of a place where there
were many more people than cows, she lasted almost nine years, enjoying stints as a
university administrator, farm advisor, and aquatic ecologist (and a whole lot of really
good skiing) while earning a Ph.D in ecology from UC Davis. In 2005, she corrected her
navigational errors and came to Helena, which suits her just fine. She lives out
on Birdseye with her partner and cats, enjoying hiking, fishing, skiing, kayaking,
and cooking in her spare time.
Karen Walker
Biological Data Systems Coordinator, Montana Natural Heritage Program
Years of MSL Service: 3
Karen Walker has been the Biological Data Systems Coordinator for the Montana
Natural Heritage Program since September, 2004. She coordinates species and
habitat data from submission by field biologists to data exchanges with NatureServe.
Karen has a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Oberlin College, and an M.S. in
Forestry (emphasizing GIS) from the University of Minnesota. Karen was at the
University of Minnesota from 1994 to 2003 working as a data manager and forest
ecology technician prior to receiving her M.S. From 2003 to 2004 she was a GIS
technician for the Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota.
