Montana Library Commission strikes library director standard

Despite an outpouring of opposition in recent weeks, the Montana State Library Commission voted 5-2 Wednesday to eliminate a requirement that directors of the state’s largest public libraries hold a master’s degree in library sciences.

The commission’s striking of the educational standard from state regulations came after a month-long comment period during which 532 members of the public responded to the proposal. Of those, 120 supported the elimination and 412 opposed it — a ratio that critics attempted to underscore for the commission ahead of its vote. Sarah Widger, the president-elect of the Montana Library Association, put the feedback at “four-to-one” against the proposal and said she hoped the commission would “pay attention to your public.”

“Those are your patrons,” Widger told commissioners. “These are your patrons speaking up, including library staff, librarians, directors, trustees statewide for libraries of all sizes, former commissioners, as well as the general public … 71% of people opposing the removal of this standard should speak for itself. It’s not a close discussion.”