About

The Sheridan County Library is a member of the Montana Shared Library Catalog (MSC) which began operations in 2002 with the participation and financial commitment from 17 libraries in Western Montana. The MSC now includes over 200 multi-type libraries located through out Montana that share system hardware, software and data records.

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MSC libraries are found in 103 Montana communities with over 400,000 registered users. The MSC currently includes over 200 libraries, where over 400 library staff members share their expertise. Some libraries in the MSC have selected to share user circulation privileges between each other, moving materials back and forth using local courier solutions to fill holds placed by their patrons.  Several of these libraries also offer “floating collections”, where materials that are sent between libraries stay on the receiving library’s shelves until another hold is placed.  This offers the participating libraries new material on a rotating basis. 

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State Library staff monitor and maintain the system hardware and software. Policies and budgets are set by the membership, in partnership with the MSL. MSC members are occasionally asked to assist with training and cataloging.  Decisions about policies and catalog content are made by committees and the MSC Executive Board recommends them, along with budgets, to the membership for final approval.