Complying with the Law

Because public libraries are supported by public tax dollars, they are subject to numerous laws and regulations. As a trustee, you are responsible for being familiar with these laws and understanding their consequences. When dealing with legal issues, the Board should consult with the city or county attorney for interpretation of the law.

Laws specific to governing public libraries in Montana are addressed on the Montana State Library Website. There is a legal section that links to the Montana Code Annotated, the Administrative Rules, and Attorney General Opinions. These links are to laws that impact public libraries in Montana. The focus is on state law. The board needs to be familar with various federal laws as well. We highlight some of those laws in later sections of the handbook.