News

These are some recent news articles relating to the legislative session.

• Obscenity bill raises questions beyond school libraries” from the Montana Daily Standard (https://dailymontanan.com/2023/03/13/obscenity-bill-raises-questions-beyond-school-libraries/)
• “Supt. Arntzen's visit leaves more questions than answers” from the Lewistown News-Argus (https://www.lewistownnews.com/news/supt-arntzens-visit-leaves-more-questions-than-answers/article_dfefb84a-becf-11ed-af15-2f6d97fd6cc7.html)
• As Bills in Multiple States Threaten Librarians with Criminalization, Advocates Are Fighting Back (https://www.slj.com/story/As-Bills-in-Multiple-States-Threaten-Librarians-with-Criminalization-Advocates-Are-Fighting-Back)
• Montana state reps give public report of 68th Legislature and field community concerns (https://www.rangerreview.com/news/montana-state-reps-give-public-report-of-68th-legislature-and-field-community-concerns/article_00342b96-bcf9-11ed-8d3f-bb525014d25e.html)
  

Under Montana HB234 - Teachers, School Librarians, School Boards, Schools, and School Employees can be criminally prosecuted for books in their classroom or library that are considered “obscene”. This new law would supersede the hard work, professional training, and comprehensive collection development policies that each local school district has created to address the unique needs of their community.

Click here to learn more and to make your voice heard - https://www.saveschoollibrarians.org/urgent_mt_hb234

A debt of gratitude to all those who helped to make the Tuesday, February 7th Library Legislative Night in the State Capitol Rotunda a success.  Thanks to the planners and participants from the Montana State Library, The Trust for Montana Libraries, our stellar lobbyist team at Central House Strategies, and the many MLA members in attendance.  Special thanks to the Friends Groups at Darby Public Library and Missoula Public Library for their sponsorship contributions toward this event.

The Montana Library Association announced the creation of a new coalition to provide access to a petition to give feedback to the Montana Board of Education regarding the changes to Montana’s rules regarding standards of school accreditation (Chapter 55).  

For more information and details on how to participate, click here. 

MLA's Virtual Poster Session is now available for viewing and discussion!  Thanks to our poster contributors for their great submissions.  And thanks to Sarah Widger, Mitch Grady, and Sydnie Tallman for the idea and implementation of the poster session.  Click here to view the posters.

Individual MLA members and MLA member libraries can request a personalized mtlib.org email address by clicking here and completing a brief form. 

Thanks to Matt Beckstrom at Lewis & Clark Public Library for this service!

Stay up to date with legislative issues impacting Montana Libraries with MLA's new Legislative Tracker.