Who do I contact if I have questions?

• MSL Support Tickets are greatly appreciated and can be submitted through the MSL ticketing system. OKTA login is required.
  • You can also send an email to MSLsupport@mt.gov or MSLServiceDesk@service.mt.gov with the subject: MSL Certification Question.
• Reach out Colet Bartow -- or your consultant Tracy Cook, Cara Orban, or Corey Sloan -- if you have any questions about this information.

Where can I find information about the new rules and policy?

• Visit the MSL Certification Webpage for access to resources.
• Subscribe to the MSL Continuing Education Newsletter to stay up to date on learning opportunities, resources, and support.

What is the timeline for implementation of the new ARM and policy?

• May 6 - The MSL Commission adopted a new certification policy and course of study.
• May 11 - Directors received a personalized email with information about their current certification status and credits.
• June 2 - We have scheduled a Library Directors' Certification Policy Drop-In Session at 11:00 a.m. We hope you will join to learn more about the policy and share the questions about what this change means to you. This meeting will not be recorded.
• June 10 – The MSL Commission will consider action on a course catalog.
• June 11-30 – MSL Staff will be working to implement the course of study and catalog in MSL Learn.
• July 1 - The ARM and policy take effect.

What are the main differences in requirements for directors, staff, and trustees?

• Directors are required to certify.
• Staff may certify but are not required.
• Trustees have a board-level requirement, not individual certification.

What do the Administrative Rules of Montana require for library directors?

ARM 10.102.1160 Personnel  (6) The director is or will be certified by the Montana State Library within the required timeframe mandated by the certification program adopted by the Montana State Library Commission.

(a) The purpose of the certification program is to ensure library directors have the foundational skills necessary to manage a public library that meets standards set forth in ARM Subchapter 10.102.11 Public Library Development.

(b) A course of study will be reviewed by the Commission annually for approval at its final meeting of the state fiscal year.

(c) Continuing education credits issued through the State Library certification program are the only eligible credits that can be applied to certification.

(d) The certification program will be reviewed on a regular schedule with no more than 10 years between reviews.

I am a brand-new library director and don’t have an MSL Certificate. What do I do?

• Under the new policy, you have two years from your date of hire to complete your initial MSL Certificate.
• The initial MSL Certificate is valid for five (5) years. Subsequent renewal certificates are valid for five (5) years.
• The Course of Study outlines the specific training you must complete within that two year period to meet the Public Library Standard requiring director certification.
• All required courses are available through MSL Learn, our online learning platform.
• An OKTA account is required to log in to MSL Learn.

I’m a relatively new director.  I have some credits recorded in ASPeN. What should I do to make sure I’m going to be on track to complete certification?

• Reach out to the MSL Continuing Education Coordinator to map out a plan to be ready for your renewal.
• Continue tracking any continuing education credits in ASPeN through June 30.

• Credits earned through June 30, 2026, follow the 2023 policy.

• Credits earned on or after July 1, 2026, must follow the new policy.

My current certificate doesn’t expire for several years. What do I need to do?

• Reach out to the MSL Continuing Education Coordinator to map out a plan to be ready for your renewal.
• Familiarize yourself with MSL Learn.
• Take courses in MSL Learn starting in July 2026.
• Subscribe to the MSL Continuing Education Newsletter to learn about the approved course catalog and updates to that catalog over time.

How do I track credits between now and July 1, 2026?

• Continue tracking any continuing education credits in ASPeN through June 30.
• Credits earned through June 30, 2026, follow the 2023 policy.
• Credits earned on or after July 1, 2026, must follow the new policy.
• Current certificates remain valid until their scheduled expiration dates.
• If you are close to finishing your certificate, we encourage you to complete the remaining requirements by June 30, 2026, so your progress remains under the 2023 policy requirements.

Will ASPeN be used with the new policy?

• We will maintain the information in ASPeN for reference over the next several years, but ASPeN will not be used to track continuing education credits or certification after June 30, 2026.

How do I track credits after July 1, 2026?

• Beginning July 1, 2026, credits and certification will be managed through MSL Learn, our online learning platform.
• Login to MSL Learn with your OKTA account.
• Enroll in courses and complete the required activities.
• Completion certificates and digital badges will automatically be issued upon successful completion of required activities.
• A record of all completed courses will be available in your MSL Learn profile.

Does the new rule and policy apply to library staff?

• The new rule is for library directors. Library staff are not required to earn a certificate.
• However, staff can earn a certificate by following the policy and completing the required course of study at any time.
• Library staff can also take advantage of all trainings and coursework offered through the MSL Continuing Education program.

Does the new rule and policy apply to library staff?

• The new rule is for library directors. Library staff are not required to earn a certificate.
• However, staff can earn a certificate by following the policy and completing the required course of study at any time.
• Library staff can also take advantage of all trainings and coursework offered through the MSL Continuing Education program.
• You can create your own learning plan that is tailored to
  • Your position
  • Your priorities
  • Your library's needs
• Subscribe to the MSL Continuing Education Newsletter to learn about new and upcoming learning opportunities
  • Take courses in MSL Learn
• Join webinars and courses from other learning providers
  • Submit proposals for courses you think others would benefit from taking.

I am a library staff member. What happens to the credits I have in ASPeN?

• Past certificates and credits claimed in ASPeN through June 30, 2026, will be archived.
• If you are close to completing a new or renewal staff track, please complete it by June 30, 2026.
• Credits earned before July 1 will apply towards the new certification track. MSL staff will maintain these records and any new credits earned as we transition to a new system.
• If you want a record of your credits, login to ASPeN, go to the Continuing Education Control Panel, and download a spreadsheet with all of your current credits.
• To request your continuing education record after July 1, 2026, please submit an MSL Support Ticket.

How do I track credits between now and July 1, 2026?

• Continue tracking any continuing education credits in ASPeN through June 30
• Credits earned through June 30, 2026, follow the 2023 policy.
• Credits earned on or after July 1, 2026, must follow the new policy.
• Current certificates remain valid until their scheduled expiration dates.
• If you are close to finishing your certificate, try to complete the remaining requirements by June 30, 2026, so your progress remains under the 2023 policy requirements.

Will ASPeN be used with the new policy?

• We will maintain the information in ASPeN for reference over the next several years, but ASPeN will not be used to track continuing education credits or certification after June 30, 2026.

How do I track credits after July 1, 2026?

• Beginning July 1, 2026, credits and certification will be managed through MSL Learn, our online learning platform.
• Login to MSL Learn with your OKTA account.
• Enroll in courses and complete the required activities.
• Completion certificates and digital badges will automatically be issued upon successful completion of required activities.
• A record of all completed courses will be available in your MSL Learn profile.

Do I have to keep track of continuing education credits if I’m not working on a certificate?

• Check in with your director or supervisor to find out how to document any continuing education requirements for your library may have for your position that are not part of the MSL Continuing Education and Certification program.

For Credit: MSL Learn

• Enroll in MSL Learn courses, complete the activities and evaluation to earn credit toward certification. 
• MSL Learn badges represent credits and completion of courses. There's no need to log credits in ASPeN when you take these online courses. An OKTA account is your credential to login to MSL Learn.

To Audit: MSL Learn

• It is important to know that anyone can access MSL Learn courses, whether you are working on credits toward certification or just want to brush up on library learning that is specific to Montana.
• Guest access is an option to view courses—you won’t be able to complete activities or get credit, but you can still engage with course content.

To Audit: YouTube

• If you don't track continuing education credits, or only want to view for informational purposes, you can always view recorded webinars on the MSL YouTube Channel.
• Subscribe for alerts when new content is added!

Do these rules apply to library trustees?

• The new rule in ARM 10.102.1160 applies to library directors.
• Trustees can voluntarily earn an MSL certificate by following the new policy and completing the outlined course of study.
• However, ARM 10.102.1158 (4) requires that “the board receives at least three hours of continuing education each year.”
  • The standard applies to boards rather than individual trustees.
  • Continue to plan and track continuing education for the board through a plan and recording completion in meeting minutes.

Will ASPeN be used with the new policy?

• We will maintain the information in ASPeN for reference over the next several years, but ASPeN will not be used to track continuing education credits or certification after June 30, 2026.

I am a library trustee. What happens to the credits I have in ASPeN?

• Past certificates and credits claimed in ASPeN through June 30, 2026, will be archived.
• If you are close to completing a new or renewal trustee track, please complete it by June 30, 2026.
• Credits earned before July 1 will apply towards the new certification track. MSL staff will maintain these records and any new credits earned as we transition to a new system.
• If you want a record of your credits, login to ASPeN, go to the Continuing Education Control Panel, and download a spreadsheet with all of your current credits.
• To request your continuing education record after July 1, 2026, please submit an MSL Support Ticket.

How is the Course of Study different from the past certification requirements?

• Past requirements specified a number of credits to complete in four broad categories.
• The Course of Study is a pathway of learning that outlines knowledge librarians need to provide basic library services in Montana. The certification policy defines requirements for initial and renewal certificates.

What are the Initial Certificate requirements?

• Applicants complete twenty (20) credits within two (2) years of employment from the course of study and catalog.
• The initial MSL Certificate is valid for five (5) years. Subsequent renewal certificates are valid for five (5) years.

What are the Renewal Certificate requirements?

• Applicants complete 60 credits within five (5) years from the catalog approved by the MSL Commission.
• Renewal certificates are valid for five (5) years.

What is the Course Catalog?

• The course catalog is a list of courses approved by the MSL Commission.
• The catalog is reviewed and updated continuously to provide learners with relevant courses that align with the course of study.

How are the Course of Study and Catalog Organized?

Courses are organized into nine (9) topics.

• Basic Laws
• Financial Management
• Board, government, and community relations
• Facility Management
• Policy
• Planning
• Library Services
• Personnel Management
• Data and Reporting

How can new courses or trainings be added to the approved course catalog?

• Please submit course proposals for the course catalog so they can be reviewed at an upcoming MSL Commission meeting.