Twenty-One Montanans Graduate from Library School With Scholarships from Montana State Library

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 27, 2012
Contact: Sara Groves
(406) 444-5357

(HELENA) -- Twenty-one Montanans have successfully completed library education programs this spring and summer, fourteen with Masters of Library Science degrees from the University of North Texas and seven with school library media endorsement credentials from UM and MSU.

New Master of Library Science librarians include Matt Beckstrom (Helena); Linda Blomquist (Dillon); Nancy Clark (Billings); Mitch Grady (Anaconda); Karolyn Grimm (Bozeman); Pam Harrington (Missoula); Cheryl Hoover (Billings); Dana Kopp (Missoula); Lisa Lykins (Kalispell); Alana Mueller-Brunckhorst (Wilsall); Ann Rebarchik (Frenchtown); Barbara Riebe (Billings); Nancy Venable (Havre); and Jennifer Wilke (Billings). In addition to the Montana residents who received scholarships, Wyoming resident Jessie Pate also received a Master of Library Science degree through the scholarship program and is now employed by Lincoln County Libraries in Libby.

Montanan teachers completing the school library media endorsement are Nancy Coultas (Roundup); Jennifer Crisman (Great Falls); Debbie Denowh (Sidney); Joelfre Grant (Ronan); Kris Keller (Kalispell); Nancy Lunday (Helena); and Shelley O'Rourke (Great Falls).

The students all spent two years taking distance online classes to complete their library education program. They received scholarships from a project funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by Montana State Library.

The project – called SWIM for the four participating states, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana – made more than $700,000 available for residents of the region to pursue a career in librarianship with assistance for tuition and attendance at state, regional and national library conferences. In total, SWIM has educated 63 new librarians in the region: 48 with MLS degrees and 15 with school library endorsements. These individuals will now work in libraries across the four states providing information services to their communities.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to assist so many Montanans in pursuing their goals to become a professional-level librarian," said Jennie Stapp, Montana State Librarian. "Today’s librarians help people sort through an overwhelming amount of information to find what they need, and help to enhance learning in families and communities throughout Montana by building 21st Century skills."

For more information on the SWIM program or the graduates, contact Sara Groves at (406) 444-5357 or at sgroves@mt.gov.

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