Information-related competencies and training needed by professionals in the Montana Extension Service in order to acquire and disseminate information to clients electronically were studied in a needs assessment of administrators, specialists, and extension agents. An e-mail survey listing 37 competencies was completed by 96 extension agents and specialists. (Responses of administrators were not analyzed.) Responses were analyzed by a personal computer statistical package, and analyses were used to determine differences among demographic features and to rank order the competencies based on respondents' perceived level of importance and knowledge. Demographic factors and respondent characteristics showed no influence on the competencies because both strata of respondents needed to be taught information skills. Different training strategies need to be developed for agents and specialists because they ranked competencies differently and preferred different instructional methods. Lack of funds and equipment hampers use of electronic information technologies among extension employees. Twenty-five tables present survey findings, and six appendixes contain survey instruments and related materials. (Contains 54 references.) (SLD)