Library of Congress provides digital and primary‑source tools for Montana teachers

Michelle Pearson, representing the Library of Congress' teacher development program, described the agency's collections and how educators can use them in conservation and place‑based lessons. She stressed digital access to maps, congressional documents and images that can contextualize local land histories.

"You can get that poster, I would bet, off of the Library of Congress for free," Pearson said, urging participants to leverage LOC collections for classroom use. She also explained that the LOC's Western Regional team selected the primary‑source stickers used in the introductions and that teachers can request materials for lesson plans.

Pearson framed the LOC's involvement as funding‑and‑resource support: the Library helps communities turn ideas into funded projects and provides archival materials to enrich local curricula.