Welcome from the State Librarian
On behalf of the Montana State Library, I would like to welcome you to the 2011 legislative session. Our information experts have compiled this booklet to be a resource to you as you take on the important work of representing the collective needs of all Montanans and the special needs of your district during this legislative session.
As for past editions, we reviewed proposed bills and national and state trends related to what we believe will be major themes in this legislative session. To that end, you will find a wide range of information on our state’s economy, energy production and development, and land and water use. Education is always an important issue, and you will find relevant information on our state’s public schools and test scores, as well as on the libraries that help to augment what our schools do. While the drought seems to have subsided, our forests are now inundated by both blight and bark beetles, and you will be able to take a look at the most current information on maps available through the State Library. Finally, wildlife and recreation will always be an important part of Montana life, and we’ve pulled several highlights from our collection that might help to guide your decision-making this session.
The Montana State Library is a small and very unique agency. We employ not only librarians, but GIS and natural resource specialists and partner with botanists and zoologists, as well as federal and state agencies. We manage an enormous collection of state publications, as we simultaneously work to ensure that Montana’s blind and physically disabled have access to reading materials and information.
We also work on behalf of all of Montana’s libraries to help them provide the latest and best information and library services to their patrons – your constituents – whether it’s downloadable books, public access computers, online resources, or just the latest bestseller. Without the Montana State Library leading the charge, Montana libraries would not be able to afford these resources and services for their patrons – all of which are being used in record numbers during these difficult economic times. In this age of information, most of which is only accessed online, the Montana State Library, through libraries across the state, provides a vital link that affects Montanans in a multitude of ways.
We created this book for you to not only to provide vital information to help you make difficult decisions in the coming months, but to demonstrate the power of what a diverse staff with amazingly diverse skills can do to make information in many different forms available to every Montanan. We are very proud of what we do here at the State Library as we work to empower Montanans by providing access to information, enhancing learning in families and communities, and building 21st Century skills.
We hope that you use this book throughout the session and stop by to see us – in person or virtually. Whether you visit us at our library or online, you will be able to browse our collection of government information, get help researching a specific issue, or find a quiet place to work or meet with colleagues. We are located one block east of the Capitol, behind the Montana Historical Society, at the north end of the Justice building. And of course, our services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at http://msl.mt.gov.
Sincerely,
Darlene Staffeldt
Montana State Librarian |
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