"Happy is the house that shelters a Friend..." Ralph Waldo Emerson

• To maintain a citizens' association devoted to libraries;
• To focus public attention on the Missoula Public Library and its branches and their needs;
• To increase their facilities and services; and
• To enrich the cultural lives of Missoula area citizens with community events and activities.

The Friends have been active since April 28, 1969.

Friends of the Missoula Public Library Bylaws

Regular meetings of the Friends group are held on the second Thursday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in the Director's Office.

• President: Barbara Theroux
• Member: Alice Daily
• Member: Nora Morris
• Member: Minie Smith
• Member: Lois Welch

Book Discussion Groups:

Book Chat Bags
The Friends the Library provided the seed money for and continues to support the library's growing Book Chat Bag collection. Perfect for book groups, these discussion kits include 10 copies of a title, plus discussion questions, author information, reviews, and more!

Third Wednesday Book Club
Once a month the Third Wednesday Book Club discusses a new book. Sponsorship of this program is courtesy of the Friends. They purchase multiple copies of the selected titles and provide them for Book Club Members at cost. Call the Library at 721-BOOK (2665) if you're interested in this active and exciting book discussion group.

Senior Reach Out! Project:

In July 1998 the Friends developed and sponsored the Library's Reach Out! Project. Staff and volunteers make visits to senior residence homes bringing library materials to individuals who may have difficulty visiting the Library. The result is new library users, books in the hands of readers, and a renewed commitment to all Missoula residents.

Montana Book Award:

The Friends of the Missoula Public Library are pleased to announce the creation of the Montana Book Award. Begun in 2002, this annual award recognizes literary and/or artistic excellence in a book published during the year. Eligible titles will be set in Montana, deal with Montana themes or issues, or be written, edited, or illustrated by a Montana author or artist. Books for all ages will be considered for the award.

Projects Funded by the Friends:

• Summer Reading Program
• Poetry workshops
• Children's and young adult programs
• Large type books
• Library book gabs
• Remote bookdrops
• Sunday Music
• Special events
• Staff celebrations
• National Library Week events
• Prairie garden
• Montana Book Award
• Lawyers for Libraries
• Missoula Reads
• Volunteer celebrations
• Shelving
• Photocopiers
• Staff room improvements

Joining the Friends:

It's easy to become a Friends member and support Missoula Public Library. Fill out a membership form and send it in. Please note: for your computer to be able to read and print the application form, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your machine. If you do not, click here to get a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader.