Montana Libraries SPARK: Entrepreneurial Training in Montana's Libraries

Montana public libraries and AMRII partnered to provide training for librarians on startup business resources. Participating libraries received course training on how to support early-stage entrepreneurs.

This program was part of the Montana Libraries SPARK initiative, a state-wide initiative for public libraries to provide economic development support to Montanans across the state. The goals for the Entrepreneurial Support in Libraries Program were:

• Trained libraries offer entrepreneurial support and services to their community 

• AMRII and participating libraries help connect rural entrepreneurs across the state

• Libraries connect with and supplement ongoing entrepreneurial support efforts in their communities

If you have any questions about this program, please contact Karl Unterschuetz at karl.unterschuetz@umontana.edu

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Training for Librarians

This course contains five self-paced modules delivered through Moodle with online discussion sessions every two weeks.

Module 1: Introduction to Entrepreneurship/Small Business

Module 2: Providing Entrepreneurial Support - GUIDES Framework and Community Assessment

Module 3: Entrepreneurial Support - Information Pathways'

Module 4: Identifying Startup and Business Types

Module 5: Putting Things into Practice

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Libraries That Have Received Training So Far

• Harlem Public Library

• Belgrade Community Library 

• Lewis and Clark Library - Lincoln Branch

• Bitterroot Public Library

• Chouteau County Library

• Missoula Public Library

• Lewistown Public Library

• Madison Valley Public Library -Ennis

• White Hall Community Library

• Boulder Community Library

• Flathead County Library