Montana State University

Montana State University, in collaboration with the Center for Research on Rural Education and statewide mentorship programs in Montana and Alaska, will address persistent shortages of certified school librarians in rural communities. This three-year project will conduct a regional needs assessment, develop and pilot an evidence‑based toolkit for rural school administrators, and recruit and support 16 teacher‑librarian candidates. The project will equip districts with practical strategies and resources, such as recruitment guides, certification pathway maps, and mentoring tools to prepare existing teachers for librarian roles. By producing both newly certified librarians and a freely accessible toolkit, the project will strengthen rural library staffing, expand students’ access to high‑quality information literacy instruction, and build workforce capacity across participating states and beyond.