What is the "Montana Library Card"

The Montana State Library, working with any willing Montana library, is planning to create a “Montana Library Card” (or its functional equivalent).

Our plan is to build systems and relationships between libraries that allow:

1. Users, in
   
2. Participating libraries, to have
   
3. Convenient,
   
4. Lawful access, to
   
5. Quality library content and services,
   
6. In every participating library in the state

The Montana Library Card may not be an actual card, but may be a set of functional relationships and underlying infrastructures. We imagine libraries sharing integrated library systems allowing 'Montana Library Card' activities within their respective catalog and between participating libraries. We imagine libraries, in dispirate library systems, to use (perhaps OCLC-facilitated) NCIP and Z39.50 servers to allow a seamless and convenient means for patrons to discover and request items, without mediation.

There is a Montana Library Card on the books. MCA 22-1-301 describes a non-voluntary public-library only version. For the purposes of MSL's strategic planning discussion, we are playing with the idea of changing the statute from public-only to all types of libraries, and adding the concept of voluntary participation.

The Montana Library Card is closely tied to fulfillment and authentication processes, which are described below.