Whereas, Montanans want convenient access to content, services, and information to achieve their personal, educational, and professional goals; and

Whereas, all Montanans deserve fair and equal access to the same high-quality library services, regardless of where that individual lives in the state or the size of their local library budget; and

Whereas, online resources, statewide catalog software, and courier delivery service work together as a cohesive resource-sharing system to connect Montanans with the information they need; and

Whereas, MCA 22-1-328 establishes a statewide interlibrary resource-sharing program to administer funds appropriated by the legislature to support and facilitate resource-sharing among libraries in Montana, including public libraries, public library districts, libraries operated by public schools or school districts, libraries operated by public colleges or universities, tribal libraries, libraries operated by public agencies for institutionalized persons, and libraries operated by nonprofit, private, medical, educational, or research institutions; and

Whereas, with adequate funding, the libraries of Montana can meet these needs via the Montana State Library for an annual price of less than $10 per Montanan;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Montana Library Association (MLA) supports funding for the statewide interlibrary resource-sharing program.

Adopted by the Montana Library Association

April 19, 2024