How to use the Montana State Library
Registered patrons may borrow circulating materials for four weeks, with the exception of periodicals, which are available for three days. To register, request a library card.
State employees may request materials by sending an email to MSL Circulation, calling (406) 444-3016, or placing a hold in the online catalog.
Renewals are available if no requests have been received for the title. Periodical loans are not renewable. Please submit your name and the title of the item you want to renew.
Fines and Fees: There are no overdue fines but patrons will be billed for any materials not returned and their cards will be blocked from future use until the item is returned or payment is made.
Photocopies of articles in our collection may be made at no cost at the library's photocopier. We will also copy and forward requested articles to you by interagency mail. Send citation information to MSL Circulation.
To have materials you need delivered to your desk, use interlibrary loan. To use Interlibrary Loan (ILL):
- 1. Search Worldcat, a worldwide catalog.
- 2. From the list of resources returned by the search, select the item you are interested in.
- 3. Once you have selected the item, look for the ILL icon to the left in the menus above the search. Select this icon.
- 4. Fill in your information, and submit. You will receive an automated response.
- 5. The ILL librarian will process your request with 24 hours.
Loansome Doc allows you to order health sciences documents and journal articles through us directly from your PubMed search screen. As a member of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, the Montana State Library provides this free service to state employees who search the PubMed MEDLINE database. Montana State Hospital employees should contact Terry Ferguson in the hospital library for their ID. Other state employees should contact MSL at (406) 444-3016 to qualify for the "library identifier" and then register for the Loansome Doc service online.
