Design Work Wraps Up, Transition Plans Afoot, Fundraising Goals In Sight

A beautiful Children's Room takes shape as the Library, City Facilities, and a team of architects and designers finalize the last tiny details. In the next couple weeks, this project will go out to bid so that the project team can select a general contractor to work with in the coming months. We anticipate "breaking carpet" this fall to upgrade well-worn furnishings, improve sightlines, safety, and accessibility, and provide abundant playspaces, while continuing to connect the community with a fabulous collection of books. The many moving parts and variables in this project have made it difficult to pin down timelines; these details are falling into place in the coming month and a half.

The Library will invite the community to do a Big Checkout before we close the Children's Room for renovations. Items in this collection will have extended borrowing periods and we are relying on the community's eagerness to house a sizeable portion of the collection on their coffee tables as a cost savings. Every book that is checked out and enjoyed by our community is a book that doesn't have to be moved and stored, freeing up budget for the renovation itself. More information about the Big Checkout to come.

A small portion of the collection will be housed in the Community Room so patrons can continue to browse and check out children's books during construction, with the remaining materials stored offsite. During this time, the Community Room and the Cottonwood Room (upstairs) will be unavailable for public bookings and library programs. The community can expect some library programs to be canceled, some to be held offsite at partner locations, and some to take place on the actual floor of the library. The library website will be frequently updated with these details.

The Library will also host a "See Ya Later" party for the Children's Room before it undergoes its transformation, date to be determined. We know that many families have grown up in the current space and we want to honor these memories with a celebration. The public will be able to collaborate on an artwork that will transmit our dreams, blessings, and excitement for the new space and all the reading, curiosity, and joy that will happen there.

The Bozeman Library Friends and Foundation are nearing their goal of raising $1,000,000 for the Children's Room renovation. As of mid-June, our generous community has donated $934,386.87 towards this goal. It is spectacular to live in a community that loves children and their public library. To learn more about the Friends and Foundation's fundraiser, you can visit their website supportbozemanlibrary.org.

See you at the Library!