Research The Districting Option
Read the library district section in the Montana Code Annotated. Law isn't the easiest thing to read but it's important to start here. These laws will give you an idea of what a district is, what it takes to become a district, and what the library board can do once the library is officially a public library district.
Talk to Montana State Library staff about districts. Our contact information is below. State Library staff can talk to you about districts and connect you with current district library directors and trustees.
Tracy Cook, Director of Library Development, (406) 431-0685 or TCook2@mt.gov
Suzanne Reymer, Statewide Consulting Librarian (406) 698-0503 or SReymer2@mt.gov
Pam Henley, Statewide Consulting Librarian (406) 461-9049 or PHenley2@mt.gov
Attend or arrange training about districts. State Library staff can visit your library and provide training for board members, directors, local government officials, and any interested volunteers. You can also ask library district directors and board members to come and talk to the board. Many directors and trustees are happy to share what they have learned about districts. You might also check to see if there is public library district training at the annual Montana Library Association conference or at other online/in person venues.
Read this handbook. We almost didn't include this one. After all you are reading this handbook right now, but it can be a great resource for you. It's available 24/7 and hopefully will inspire plenty of food for thought.
ASPeN: The New Library Directory
- Home
- Introduction To Public Library Districts
- What Are Districts?
- Pros And Cons Of Library Districts
- Difference Between Library Districts And Other Types Of Libraries
- Who To Contact For Help?
- Exploring Library Districts and Gauging Support for a District Effort
- Research The Districting Option
- Decide on Whether or Not to Create A Committee To Explore District Option
- Decide on Boundaries and Name of the District
- Decide on Services the District Might Offer
- Create a Budget for the District
- Determine the Amount of Mills You Will Need Levied
- Talk to Local Government Officials
- Talk to Library Supporters
- Decide Whether or Not to Move Forward With the District Option
- Exploring Library Districts Checklist
- Forming a District Group - The Role of Local Government Officials and the New Board
- Create an Official District Planning Group/Committee
- Coordinating Local Government Efforts
- The New Board of Trustees
- Forming a District Group Checklist
- Special Considerations
- Planning for Facilities
- Funding For The First Year
- Accounting, Legal, Maintenance Costs
- Transfer Of Staff And Benefits
- Special Considerations Checklist
- Pursuing the District: Legal Options For Forming A District
- Option 1: County Commissioners Pass a Resolution Putting the Library District Issue on the Ballot
- Option 2: Create the district through a petition process and then a resolution by the County Commissioners
- Develop A Map And Description Of The Boundaries Of The New District
- Decide Upon The Maximum Mill Levy That You Want For The District
- Decide On The Number Of Board Members
- Decide On When You Want To Hold The Election
- Draft The Petition
- Circulate The Petitions And Supporting Materials
- The Hearing With The County Commissioners
- Legal Options Checklist
- Election Process
- Create an Election Committee
- Create an Election Calendar
- Create a Public Relations Plan and Design Public Relations Material
- Present Your Idea to the Community
- Get Out the Vote on Election Day
- Conducting the Election
- Results Certification, Canvassing, and the Creation Order
- Election Process Checklist
- Outcomes Of The Effort
- Success
- Election Fails
- Appendices
