The Need
    Every day, more than 1,000 people use the Bozeman Public Library.  The basic operations of the library, such as building maintenance, essential staff, and limited purchases of books and materials, are supported by tax monies from the City of Bozeman and Gallatin County.  However, due to the rising cost of materials as well as increased demand for services and programs, government funding alone can no longer meet the community's needs.  Therefore, the Bozeman Public Library Foundation is asking for your support.

Giving Your Gift
    It is easy to support the library.  The Bozeman Public Library Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, was created specifically to accept tax-deductible contributions.
    Any individual, business or organization may make a tax-dedctible contribution to the library. Just print and complete the Contribution Card, enclose your payment and send.
    Your contribution may also be made through a bequest in your will or a planned gift, such as life insurance or a charitable trust, which may provide extra tax advantages to the donor.  Under a temporary law recently enacted by the Montana legislaure, substantial tax benefits are available to individuals and businesses giving a qualified gift to the Library's endowment.  For more information, please consult your tax accountant, attorney, or financial planner.

Exploring the Arts Series
The Foundation is sponsoring the Exploring the Arts series, which combines artistic performance with an educational component and audience interaction. See the guidelines to submit a proposal.

Library Foundation Officers & Board of Directors:
Susan Quarles, President; Lindsey Kurz, Vice-President; Theresa Dotts, Secretary/Treasurer; SharlaRae Stuber, Financial Liaison; Rick Allen, Susan Barbisan, Diana Blank, Heather Jernberg, Joe McCarty, Jennifer Morrical, Daryl Paulson, and Aurene Sinnema. Paula K. Beswick, Foundation Director; Alice Meister, Library Director; and Rose Toth, Administrative Assistant.

The Friends of the Bozeman Public Library help the Library in many ways:

· purchasing books and materials,
· sponsoring special programs and the semiannual book sale,
· providing the Library with computers and programs for the public,
· contributing honoraria for guest speakers and storytellers.

Some of the special programs sponsored by the Friends are the following:

The Third Sunday at Three

A program that brings local musicians to the library.  The library is open on Sundays from September to May and features different performers each month.

Book Discussion Group

A book discussion series which meets the first Wednesday of each month to discuss books of interest to the participants.  The meetings are open to anyone and lists of the books are available on the Library's catalog.

Information about becoming a member of the Friends is available at the Library.

Donation of Used Materials
Bozeman Public Library is grateful for gifts of books, periodicals, pamphlets and other materials which are an important supplement to our collection. Patrons often have questions about donations of used materials:

How do you determine if the book is in good physical condition?
Books with brittle pages, mildew damage, or torn and/or missing pages will not be added to the library collection.

 Does the Library need textbooks?
Textbooks are added to the collection only if they are recent publications of popular subjects.

 Does the Library want back issues of magazines?
Yes, if they are titles to which the library subscribes. If the library does not need to replace missing issues, current magazines will be placed on a free material table in the lobby.

Please remember that donated materials become the property of Bozeman Public Library. If they are not selected by the staff for the collection, they may be sold at the Friends of Bozeman Public Library book sale. All donations of books and other library materials will receive written acknowledgment upon receipt of these items, if requested.

Friends of the Library board: John Gallagher, President; Amy McNamara, Vice-President; Melissa Jacoby, Treasurer.

Interested in joing the Board of Directors? Get the application here.

Alice Meister, Director 626 East Main Street, Bozeman, Montana 59715 (406) 582-2400 · TDD 582-2301 · FAX 582-2424  Hours: Monday -Thursday 10:00-8:00, Friday and Saturday 10:00-5:00 Sunday, 1 - 5 (September - May) Send suggestions and comments to  Last updated: Tuesday, March 18, 2008