Event:

This will be a moderated panel discussion about the state and future of Montana's libraries when looking at 4 factors: Political, Financial, Technological, and User Services.The MLA Division Chairs and the MT State Librarian will consider what might be ahead for Montana's libraries - Academic, Public, and K12 - using the 4 factors as a framework. There will be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and participate in the discussion.

Pamela Benjamin has been the Statewide Academic Library Coordinator since 2014 for Montana’s coalition of academic libraries – the Treasure State Academic Libraries & Information Services consortium or TRAILS – located at MSU-Bozeman. She is the MLA Director at Large, East and a co-chair of the MLA Membership Committee. Previously, Pamela worked for the Cleveland Public Library (Cleveland, OH), the Kent State University Library, the Mansfield/Richland Co. Public Library, the OSU-Mansfield Branch Library, the OH Library Council, and the Plain Dealer newspaper library. Although residing in Livingston, she has not yet been classified as gone with the wind.

Jennifer Hossack says “Librarianship is my foremost passion. I love finding that ‘just right’ book for my students and empowering them to take control of their education through research skills and instilling a love for learning. I hold an M.A.T. in Elementary Education, and endorsements in Library Science, Psychology, and Dance Education. I am in my 16th year as an elementary/middle school librarian. I also serve as the Director of Libraries for Missoula Catholic Schools and librarian at Loyola Sacred Heart High School where I also teach Introduction to Psychology and Media Literacy. This is my 22nd year in the library profession. I worked for 6 years at the University of Montana's Mansfield Library in cataloging and acquisitions and am back working there part time. I serve as School Library Division Co-Chair on the Montana Library Association Board, and as school library liaison to the Montana Shared Cataloging and Acquisitions committee for the Montana Library.”

Shaundel Krumheuer has spent 24 years as an educator at Billings Senior High School. The latest iteration of her position has her in a dual role as Librarian and Tech Integration Specialist. A passion for learning with and from others has led her to present in a variety of venues in the state and region. She loves creating, be it digitally, in her pottery studio, or at the crafting table. A Montana girl who loves her Bobcats, Shaundel is a fan of mountain lakes, good mysteries, and her feral Golden Girl, Liberty.

Aaron LaFromboise is the Director of Library Services at Medicine Spring Library, the academic library for Blackfeet Community College, the community library for the Blackfeet Reservation, and the home of the Blackfeet Community Archives. Aaron has been the director for eight years and has worked in Medicine Spring Library for a total of 15 years. In that time Aaron has achieved bachelor's and master's degrees, has been named an Emerging Leader for the American Library Association, has served on the Montana State Library Commission, has been an active member of the American Indian Library Association Executive Board, serving as president in 2022. Aaron is also an artisan who focuses on quilting and beading but also dabbles in watercolor, loom knitting, carpentry, and she loves to learn and try new things.

Rachelle McLain is the Collection Development Librarian at the Montana State University Library. She manages the library’s collections budget and oversees the acquisition and deselection of resources to meet the research and learning needs of the Montana and MSU communities. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Western Washington University and an MLIS from the University of Washington.

Kelsie Rubich is the Assistant Director of the Billings Public Library. She serves on the MLA board as the Public Library Division Co-Chair and is a member of the Public Relations & Marketing and Membership Development committees.
Jennie Stapp is a Montana native. She holds a BA in International Studies from Rocky Mountain College in Billings.  She earned her MLS from the University of Arizona in 2002. While in library school Jennie was a Cates Scholar. Jennie worked previously for the Montana Historical Society Research Center and joined the staff of the State Library in 2005. She has been the State Librarian since January 2012.

Hilary Woodard is the Volunteer Coordinator at the Bozeman Public Library. She is currently serving as the PLD Co-Chair and is a member of the Awards and Honors Committee. She holds an M. Ed. from Portland State University and an M. S. and Ph. D. in Geophysics from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.