• Equity. TRAILS believes that students, regardless of geographic, technological, or economic differences, have the right to access and use high-quality information resources. Additionally, TRAILS incorporates inclusive practices in all consortium offerings.

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• Affordability. TRAILS recognizes the financial constraints of its members and selects resources, programs, and services scaled to maximize impact across the consortium.

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• Quality. TRAILS provides resources and programs that advance teaching, learning, and research at member institutions. Additionally, TRAILS facilitates resource sharing through innovative programs and services to enhance inter-institutional scholarship.

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• Collaboration. TRAILS relies on the collective expertise and experience of its members to provide opportunities and resources to achieve institutional and consortium goals.

 
TRAILS is organized exclusively for educational purposes: 

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• To increase, enhance, and facilitate cooperation among all Montana academic libraries through consortium purchasing of resources, expanding access to resources, and encouraging partnerships between and among member libraries.

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• To support students, faculty, and staff of Montana institutions of higher education by providing access to high-quality information resources and services that facilitate teaching, learning, and research.