<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2a32NB_1H1sCVK800" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2a32NB_1H1sCVK800" width="1320" height="743" >Twenty years after opening the doors to its current building, the Bozeman Public Library is looking back at how it got there while continuing to adapt to a city that looks much different than it did in 2006.The library celebrated the 20th anniversary of its East Main Street building Thursday, marking another chapter in a history that stretches back well before the current location.Bozeman’s library previously operated out of the Carnegie Library before moving in 1981 to the building at Lamme Street and Rouse Avenue that now serves as Bozeman City Hall. When the library moved again in 2006, more than 2,000 residents helped mark the move by passing books hand to hand from the old library to the new building through a community tradition known as the Book Brigade.“One of the things that people really, really remember from 20 years ago is the Book Brigade, where they passed books hand to hand from the old library on Rouse, which is now City Hall, to this building here to transport the books,” said Ben Nielsen, head of adult programming and outreach at the Bozeman Public Library. “And a lot of people, that just lives in their memory, is a really important part.”Nielsen said the tradition was not unique to the 2006 move. A Book Brigade was also used when the library moved from the Carnegie building to its Rouse Avenue location.The current library building opened in November 2006 and was Bozeman’s first LEED-certified building, according to Nielsen. Solar panels on the roof are among the building’s energy features.But much of what visitors find inside today did not exist when the doors first opened.A renovation completed in 2023 updated portions of the building and introduced new creative spaces designed to give patrons opportunities beyond traditional library services.Those resources now include creative labs, 3D printing, a podcast studio and spaces where people can learn and cook. Patrons need a library card and training before using some of the equipment.The library also offers exercise classes, children’s programming and storytimes throughout the week.One of its community programs, Thursday’s Table, brings people together around food each Thursday afternoon.“We have different people from the community come and cook, and seeing people gather around food and share their ideas and their insights and their stories with each other, just an amazing way to see the community get built,” Nielsen said.The library is continuing to update its existing space as well.Renovation work on the children’s room began this week. Nielsen said that portion of the library was not included in the larger 2023 renovation and is now being refreshed with plans to reopen next spring.As Bozeman continues to grow, library leaders are also looking beyond the East Main Street building.Nielsen said one of the library’s biggest long-term challenges is serving residents on the west side of the city, where much of Bozeman’s recent growth has occurred.“It is a long haul for people to get over here to the east side,” Nielsen said. “We have a really beautiful location here, but it’s not really central to the way Bozeman has grown, and so because of that, we are looking at how we could expand into the west side, exploring ways that there might be able to be a branch over there.”Nielsen said Bozeman Public Library Friends and Foundation is working on purchasing property on the west side near Huffine Lane for a possible future branch. He said several pieces would still need to come together before another library could be built.In the meantime, the library operates a bookmobile and other mobile services that make regular stops throughout the county, helping bring books and library resources to people who may not regularly make the trip to the East Main Street location.Nielsen said Bozeman’s support for its library stretches back generations and remains visible in the number of people who participate in programs and use the building today.“We’re so grateful to the community for showing up and being here with us,” Nielsen said. “We love to see the community in the library every day, so we would encourage you, if it’s been a while since you’ve been in the library, to come on down and check it out.”</div></body>

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Twenty years after opening the doors to its current building, the Bozeman Public Library is looking back at how it got there while continuing to adapt to a city that looks much different than it did in 2006. The library celebrated the 20th anniversary of its East Main Street building...

Bozeman library celebrates 20 years while planning for the future

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Twenty years after opening the doors to its current building, the Bozeman Public Library is looking back at how it got there while continuing to adapt to a

Bozeman library celebrates 20 years while planning for the future

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