<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1bCFJg_1Gq4JqyI00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1bCFJg_1Gq4JqyI00" width="1621" height="1126" ><figcaption>An aerial view of the potential future location of the Bozeman Library's new branch.&nbsp; Jupiter Floros/Chronicle</figcaption></figure>The Bozeman Library Friends and Foundation has officially acquired a plot of land at 401 Competition Dr. for the library’s first branch.The library is located at 626 E. Main St. on the east side of the city, but wants to support residents and families living on the west side of Bozeman, per Janay Johnson, chief executive officer of Bozeman Library Friends and Foundation. She told the Chronicle that library leadership and trustees have been talking about a branch for a few years.Johnson said the foundation identified a parcel in Bozeman’s west side and purchased it using donor funds. The plot of land rests within Urban Farm, a new 106-acre mixed-use development. It checked all the library’s boxes: both single family and multifamily homes are nearby, it’s close to Meadowlark Elementary School and Gallatin High School, it’s on Streamline’s route and it’s well-connected to the trail system.The Bozeman Library gets a lot of use, especially from families — 135,435 visitors came to the children’s room in the past year; 42% of total visitors.“We are definitely feeling the strain in some of our children’s programs,” Johnson said.Certain story times held in the children’s library have seen over 120 attendees, and the foundation has heard from families on the west side that the library is one of the main reasons they come downtown.The library did two engagement sessions in early October, one at the library itself and one at Gallatin Regional Park for United Ways kidsFEST. After talking with approximately 200 families, Johnson said people were super excited about the idea of a new branch.She noted that there are plenty of parks on Bozeman’s west side, but not a lot of places that can accommodate gatherings during all four seasons.“There’s not really a lot of civic infrastructure on the west side,” Johnson said.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=45MKG2_1Gq4JqyI00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=45MKG2_1Gq4JqyI00" width="1757" height="1180" ><figcaption>A view of the plot of land acquired for the Bozeman Library’s first branch, located at 401 Competition Dr. Jupiter Floros/Chronicle</figcaption></figure>Roughly three years ago, the city was planning a west-side community center with a library, an aquatics facility and a recreation center. But the Bozeman City Commission decided not to go further with the ballot measure in July 2023 after hearing complaints of high property values and taxes.The library’s goal is to raise all the money privately for the building before handing the project over to the city. Aside from the $3 million that the foundation has already been gifted, Johnson estimates that it will need $25 million in total for the project.The foundation already has a challenge gift, so its first $5 million raised will be matched.But the library hasn’t started this capital campaign yet. Right now, it’s focused on listening to community members and determining what they want from the new branch.The library would also need a ballot measure to fund the operations, and the Bozeman Library Friends and Foundation is hoping to include one in the 2029 election. Depending on how quickly funds can be raised — and whether voters will choose to approve funding for the new branch — the west side branch will likely be fully operational by 2030 or 2031.</div></body>

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The Bozeman Library Friends and Foundation has officially acquired a plot of land at 401 Competition Dr. for the library’s first branch. The library is located at 626 E. Main St. on the east side of the city, but wants to support residents and families living on the west side of Bozeman, per Janay Johnson, chief executive officer of Bozeman Library Friends and Foundation. She told the Chronicle that library leadership and trustees have been talking about a branch for a few years.

Bozeman Library purchases lot for future west side branch

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The Bozeman Library Friends and Foundation has officially acquired a plot of land at 401 Competition Dr. for the library’s first branch. The library is loc

Bozeman Library purchases lot for future west side branch

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