REPORT TO BROAD VALLEYS FEDERATION
MARCH 4-5, 2011
The Meagher County City Library operates with one full-time Library Director, volunteers and short-term workers. The volunteer program established January 2009 continues operating successfully.
Library Board Chair Jim Johnston passed away unexpectedly in November. A total of four library board vacancies were filled this past year. Members of the library board consistently volunteer their talent and ability to many library needs.
A community meeting was held on May 4 to present library building options with open forum for community opinion. Walkthrough of a vacant hardware store building on Main Street provided further discussion on library relocation. Following these events, Forest Service land was purchased using Donald W. Johnston Memorial Library Trust Fund monies. Formation of a library foundation is in progress and planning for a new library is ongoing. A library building depreciation fund is now established. The library inter-local agreement between the city and county was amended.
The sinking back room of the library was repaired utilizing government stimulus and library depreciation funds providing additional floor/bookshelf space as well as study and seating areas for library users.
Transition of books into new locations throughout the library is complete. The McNaughton book collection moved into the library lobby providing a quick checkout option to library patrons. Weeding of adult fiction, children’s juvenile/non-fiction/biography, and 70% of adult non-fiction was completed. Accelerated Reader books were grouped by grade level for convenience of children and parents.
The library received its second Libri Foundation Books for Children Grant and a $500 State Farm Good Neighbor Grant.
The library joined the Montana State Library Courier Pilot Delivery Project in April. $1000+ postage savings and quicker interlibrary loan delivery to patrons has resulted.
Library computer bandwidth was increased from 3 to 6 megabytes. 2
Library programming included:
A visit from “Skeeter the Clown”
Balloon animal session
Two “How Do I Start my Computer/What to do Next?” adult computer classes
Children’s moth/butterfly program prior to release of the Stevens Youth Center resident moth into the “wild”
Agriculture in Montana Schools Literary Awareness project involving a group of children who prepared “Very Hungry Caterpillar Visits Montana” books that teach about different commodities grown and produced in Montana
Preschool story hour on alternating Thursdays and Fridays for local Play and Grow Preschool children
“Make a Splash – READ” seven week summer reading program involving 46 children
Books for Babies early literacy program on Wednesday mornings for 0-3 year olds
Friends of the Library assisted in so many areas including but in no way limited to:
Organizing fundraisers and book sales
Purchasing chairs, faux wood blinds, lamp, and constructing window cornices for newly repaired backroom
Purchase of metal shed and storage shelving
Constructing a children’s coat rack, tables, book shelves
Purchase of summer reading supplies
Purchase of outdoor flowerbox flowers including watering/planting/maintenance
Organizing the Montana Library Day Scarecrow contest
Call for essays on “Why I Love Libraries” resulting in a library logo for use on letterhead/correspondence
Providing matching $350 funds for Libri Foundation Books for Children Grant
Development of a library website soon to be launched
A truly amazing group of committed, versatile, and talented individuals working together continue to make the Meagher County City Library what it is today.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Benedict
MARCH 4-5, 2011
The Meagher County City Library operates with one full-time Library Director, volunteers and short-term workers. The volunteer program established January 2009 continues operating successfully.
Library Board Chair Jim Johnston passed away unexpectedly in November. A total of four library board vacancies were filled this past year. Members of the library board consistently volunteer their talent and ability to many library needs.
A community meeting was held on May 4 to present library building options with open forum for community opinion. Walkthrough of a vacant hardware store building on Main Street provided further discussion on library relocation. Following these events, Forest Service land was purchased using Donald W. Johnston Memorial Library Trust Fund monies. Formation of a library foundation is in progress and planning for a new library is ongoing. A library building depreciation fund is now established. The library inter-local agreement between the city and county was amended.
The sinking back room of the library was repaired utilizing government stimulus and library depreciation funds providing additional floor/bookshelf space as well as study and seating areas for library users.
Transition of books into new locations throughout the library is complete. The McNaughton book collection moved into the library lobby providing a quick checkout option to library patrons. Weeding of adult fiction, children’s juvenile/non-fiction/biography, and 70% of adult non-fiction was completed. Accelerated Reader books were grouped by grade level for convenience of children and parents.
The library received its second Libri Foundation Books for Children Grant and a $500 State Farm Good Neighbor Grant.
The library joined the Montana State Library Courier Pilot Delivery Project in April. $1000+ postage savings and quicker interlibrary loan delivery to patrons has resulted.
Library computer bandwidth was increased from 3 to 6 megabytes. 2
Library programming included:
A visit from “Skeeter the Clown”
Balloon animal session
Two “How Do I Start my Computer/What to do Next?” adult computer classes
Children’s moth/butterfly program prior to release of the Stevens Youth Center resident moth into the “wild”
Agriculture in Montana Schools Literary Awareness project involving a group of children who prepared “Very Hungry Caterpillar Visits Montana” books that teach about different commodities grown and produced in Montana
Preschool story hour on alternating Thursdays and Fridays for local Play and Grow Preschool children
“Make a Splash – READ” seven week summer reading program involving 46 children
Books for Babies early literacy program on Wednesday mornings for 0-3 year olds
Friends of the Library assisted in so many areas including but in no way limited to:
Organizing fundraisers and book sales
Purchasing chairs, faux wood blinds, lamp, and constructing window cornices for newly repaired backroom
Purchase of metal shed and storage shelving
Constructing a children’s coat rack, tables, book shelves
Purchase of summer reading supplies
Purchase of outdoor flowerbox flowers including watering/planting/maintenance
Organizing the Montana Library Day Scarecrow contest
Call for essays on “Why I Love Libraries” resulting in a library logo for use on letterhead/correspondence
Providing matching $350 funds for Libri Foundation Books for Children Grant
Development of a library website soon to be launched
A truly amazing group of committed, versatile, and talented individuals working together continue to make the Meagher County City Library what it is today.
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Benedict
