Event:

This session will be an opportunity for library leaders to learn more about the Trust for Montana Libraries and how the Trust is planning projects to support Montana's libraries. The session will include an opportunity for attendees to offer additional suggestions about the how the Trust can support libraries and their advocates. Attendees will also learn about the Trust's plans for future work in the area of operational support for libraries and their leaders

Kris Goss grew up in Richland County and graduated from Sidney High School. He credits the Sidney-Richland County Library for his appreciation of learning and dedication to public service. Kris serves as the Director of the Library Learning Hub at Helena College. He is also a licensed attorney with Jackson, Murdo, & Grant, PC in Helena. He worked as law clerk in the chambers of the Honorable Sam E. Haddon in the United States District Court for the District of Montana. Prior to law school, Kris worked as the Governor’s K-12 Education Policy Advisor and Deputy Communications Director in the administration of Governor Judy Martz. Kris earned a law degree from the University of Montana School of Law, a Master of Arts in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin, and a Bachelor of Arts from Carroll College. Kris lives in Helena with his wife and two daughters.

Born in Eugene, Oregon, Bruce Newell moved to Helena in 1980 and worked at both the Montana State Library and the Lewis & Clark Public Library. Bruce was active in the Montana Library Association, and feels fortunate to having served in the global library cooperative OCLC as first a delegate and later as an elected Trustee. After retirement Bruce served on the State Library Commission from 2014 to 2022. Bruce is married to a retired librarian. He has two daughters, one a medieval historian and the other a youth services librarian. Bruce likes babies, biscuits, boats, bicycles, books, and rambling around under Montana’s beautiful sky of blue