Missoula Writes: 18th Annual Writing Contest
Our 18th annual writing contest kicks off Friday, January 2, 2026. We welcome fiction, non-fiction, and poetry submissions from writers in the following age groups: 8-10, 11-14, 15-18, and 19+. Cash prizes will be awarded to the first-, second-, and third-place winners in each category and age group. Full contest rules and submission link are available on our website.
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Events for March
30
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
AARP TaxAide
Cooper Room A
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Art with a Purpose
Families First Classroom
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
LEGO Club
Imaginarium
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Lolo LEGO Club
Lolo Community Library
6:00 pm - 7:45 pm
Learn Computer Animation with Blender
MCAT
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
How to be Disaster Ready with the Red Cross
Cooper Room B
Events for March
31
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
AARP TaxAide
Cooper Room A
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Infant to 3-Year-Old Playgroup
Imaginarium
11:45 am - 12:15 pm
Tiny Tales at EmPower Place
EmPower Place
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Read with Dogs!
Imaginarium
3:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Teen Tuesdays
Art Box
4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Big Sky Branch 3D Printing Services
Big Sky Branch Library
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Dads and Dialogue
Families First Classroom
6:00 pm - 6:45 pm
Introduction to Podcasting
MCAT
Events for April
1
9:00 am - 8:00 pm
Spice It Up: Library Spice Club
Demonstration Kitchen
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Kids STEM Building
Families First Classroom
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Learn Computer Video Editing
MCAT
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Middle School Writers’ Group
Art Box
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Peaceful Bracelet Making Club
Imaginarium
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Seeley Lake Branch Library: Student Reading Group
Seeley Lake Branch Library
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Big Sky Writers’ Group
Big Sky Branch Library
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Learn Computer Video Editing
MCAT
Events for April
2
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Tiny Tales
Imaginarium
11:00 am
Seeley Lake Book Club
Seeley Lake Branch Library
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
YMCA Yoga at the Library
Cooper Room A
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Introduction to Podcasting
MCAT
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Teen Library Community
Art Box
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Missoula Scholastic Chess Club at MPL
Imaginarium
4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Big Sky Branch 3D Printing Services
Big Sky Branch Library
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Big Sky Branch Tech Time
Big Sky Branch Library
Events for April
3
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Tiny Tales
Imaginarium
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Swan Valley Branch Story Time
Swan Valley Branch
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Yarns @ MPL
Blackfoot Room
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Watercolor Painting Collaborative @ MPL
Cooper Room
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Young Adult Writers’ Group
Art Box
Events for April
4
10:00 am - 10:45 am
MCAT Tour & Training
MCAT
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
10:00 am - 11:15 am
Yoga for Kids
Imaginarium
11:00 am - 11:45 am
Young Kids Dance Party
MCAT
11:30 am
Story Time
Imaginarium
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Stop Animation Workshop for Kids
MCAT
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
D&D Guild for Teens
Virtual Event
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Saturday Tiny Tales
Imaginarium
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Learn 3 Camera Studio
MCAT
Events for April
5
No Events
Events for April
6
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
AARP TaxAide
Cooper Room A
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Art with a Purpose
Families First Classroom
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
LEGO Club
Imaginarium
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Lolo LEGO Club
Lolo Community Library
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Cooking & Grief
Demonstration Kitchen
6:00 pm - 7:45 pm
Learn Computer Animation with Blender
MCAT
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Yarns @ Lolo
Lolo Community Library
Events for April
7
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
AARP TaxAide
Cooper Room A
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Infant to 3-Year-Old Playgroup
Imaginarium
11:45 am - 12:15 pm
Tiny Tales at EmPower Place
EmPower Place
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Read with Dogs!
Imaginarium
3:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Teen Tuesdays
Art Box
4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Big Sky Branch 3D Printing Services
Big Sky Branch Library
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
America @ 250
Missoula Public Library
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Dads and Dialogue
Families First Classroom
6:00 pm - 6:45 pm
Introduction to Podcasting
MCAT
Events for April
8
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Kids STEM Building
Families First Classroom
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Resource Access Day (RAD)
Level Four
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Swan Valley Book Chat
Swan Valley Branch
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Learn Computer Video Editing
MCAT
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Middle School Writers’ Group
Art Box
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Seeley Lake Branch Library: Student Reading Group
Seeley Lake Branch Library
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Big Sky Writers’ Group
Big Sky Branch Library
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Sewing for Beginners
MakerSpace
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Learn Computer Video Editing
MCAT
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
2nd Wednesday Night Book Group
Blackfoot Room
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Potomac Branch Library Book Club
Potomac Branch Library
Events for April
9
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Tiny Tales
Imaginarium
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
YMCA Yoga at the Library
Cooper Room A
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Introduction to Podcasting
MCAT
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Game On! @ MPL
Imaginarium
2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Teen Library Community
Art Box
4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Big Sky Branch 3D Printing Services
Big Sky Branch Library
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Big Sky Branch Tech Time
Big Sky Branch Library
Events for April
10
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Tiny Tales
Imaginarium
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Yarns @ MPL
Blackfoot Room
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Watercolor Painting Collaborative @ MPL
Cooper Room
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Young Adult Writers’ Group
Art Box
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
D&D Guild for Adults
Virtual Event
Events for April
11
10:00 am - 10:45 am
MCAT Tour & Training
MCAT
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
11:00 am - 11:45 am
Young Kids Dance Party
MCAT
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Prepare with Pedro
Imaginarium
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Stop Animation Workshop for Kids
MCAT
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
First Reads with Montana Repertory Theatre
Cooper Room
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Saturday Tiny Tales
Imaginarium
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Learn 3 Camera Studio
MCAT
Events for April
13
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Art with a Purpose
Families First Classroom
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
LEGO Club
Imaginarium
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Prepare with Pedro
Imaginarium
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Lolo LEGO Club
Lolo Community Library
6:00 pm - 7:45 pm
Learn Computer Animation with Blender
MCAT
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
The Lost Cities of El Norte
Cooper Room
Events for April
14
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Infant to 3-Year-Old Playgroup
Imaginarium
11:45 am - 12:15 pm
Tiny Tales at EmPower Place
EmPower Place
2:00 pm
Memory Café
Cooper Room
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Read with Dogs!
Imaginarium
3:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Teen Tuesdays
Art Box
4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Big Sky Branch 3D Printing Services
Big Sky Branch Library
6:00 pm - 6:45 pm
Introduction to Podcasting
MCAT
Events for April
15
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Kids STEM Building
Families First Classroom
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Building Healthy & Delicious Meals
Demonstration Kitchen
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Stories and Games for Diverse Abilities
Art Box
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Learn Computer Video Editing
MCAT
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Windows User Group
Blackfoot Room
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Middle School Writers’ Group
Art Box
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Peaceful Bracelet Making Club
Imaginarium
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Seeley Lake Branch Library: Student Reading Group
Seeley Lake Branch Library
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Kids Cooking Class
Demonstration Kitchen
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Big Sky Writers’ Group
Big Sky Branch Library
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Symphony Kids
Imaginarium
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Learn Computer Video Editing
MCAT
6:30 pm
3rd Wednesday Book Group
Blackfoot Room
Events for April
16
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Tiny Tales
Imaginarium
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
YMCA Yoga at the Library
Cooper Room A
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Death Cafe @ MPL
Blackfoot Room
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Introduction to Podcasting
MCAT
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Game On! @ MPL
Imaginarium
2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Teen Library Community
Art Box
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Big Sky Branch 3D Printing Services
Big Sky Branch Library
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Big Sky Branch Tech Time
Big Sky Branch Library
5:45 pm
Frenchtown Book Club
Frenchtown Branch Library
Events for April
17
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Tiny Tales
Imaginarium
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Swan Valley Branch Story Time
Swan Valley Branch
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Yarns @ MPL
Blackfoot Room
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Watercolor Painting Collaborative @ MPL
Cooper Room
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Young Adult Writers’ Group
Art Box
5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Bookmobile @ 57th Kyiyo Pow Wow
University of Montana Adams Center
Events for April
18
10:00 am - 10:45 am
MCAT Tour & Training
MCAT
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
11:00 am - 11:45 am
Young Kids Dance Party
MCAT
11:30 am
Story Time
Imaginarium
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Stop Animation Workshop for Kids
MCAT
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Sensory Story Time
Imaginarium
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
D&D Guild for Teens
Virtual Event
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Saturday Tiny Tales
Imaginarium
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Learn 3 Camera Studio
MCAT
Events for April
19
No Events
Events for April
20
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Art with a Purpose
Families First Classroom
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
LEGO Club
Imaginarium
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Lolo LEGO Club
Lolo Community Library
6:00 pm - 7:45 pm
Learn Computer Animation with Blender
MCAT
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Yarns @ Lolo
Lolo Community Library
Events for April
21
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Infant to 3-Year-Old Playgroup
Imaginarium
11:45 am - 12:15 pm
Tiny Tales at EmPower Place
EmPower Place
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
America @ 250
Missoula Public Library
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Read with Dogs!
Imaginarium
3:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Teen Tuesdays
Art Box
4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Big Sky Branch 3D Printing Services
Big Sky Branch Library
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
College Admissions 101
Blackfoot Room
6:00 pm - 6:45 pm
Introduction to Podcasting
MCAT
Events for April
22
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Kids STEM Building
Families First Classroom
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Learn Computer Video Editing
MCAT
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Middle School Writers’ Group
Art Box
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Peaceful Bracelet Making Club
Imaginarium
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Seeley Lake Branch Library: Student Reading Group
Seeley Lake Branch Library
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Big Sky Writers’ Group
Big Sky Branch Library
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Learn Computer Video Editing
MCAT
6:00 pm
Library Board of Trustees Meeting
Blackfoot Room
Events for April
23
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Tiny Tales
Imaginarium
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
YMCA Yoga at the Library
Cooper Room A
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Introduction to Podcasting
MCAT
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Game On! @ MPL
Imaginarium
2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Teen Library Community
Art Box
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Big Sky Branch 3D Printing Services
Big Sky Branch Library
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Big Sky Branch Tech Time
Big Sky Branch Library
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Lolo Book Club
Lolo Community Library
Events for April
24
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Tiny Tales
Imaginarium
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Yarns @ MPL
Blackfoot Room
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Watercolor Painting Collaborative @ MPL
Cooper Room
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Young Adult Writers’ Group
Art Box
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Spring Artist Presentation with Eliza Redmann
Cooper Room
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
D&D Guild for Adults
Virtual Event
Events for April
25
10:00 am - 10:45 am
MCAT Tour & Training
MCAT
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Story Time en Español: Fiesta de Colores y Cultura
Imaginarium
11:00 am - 11:45 am
Young Kids Dance Party
MCAT
11:30 am
Story Time
Imaginarium
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Stop Animation Workshop for Kids
MCAT
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Saturday Tiny Tales
Imaginarium
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Learn 3 Camera Studio
MCAT
Events for April
27
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Art with a Purpose
Families First Classroom
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
LEGO Club
Imaginarium
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Lolo LEGO Club
Lolo Community Library
6:00 pm - 7:45 pm
Learn Computer Animation with Blender
MCAT
Events for April
28
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Infant to 3-Year-Old Playgroup
Imaginarium
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
American Red Cross Blood Drive at MPL
Cooper Room
11:45 am - 12:15 pm
Tiny Tales at EmPower Place
EmPower Place
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Read with Dogs!
Imaginarium
3:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Teen Tuesdays
Art Box
4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Big Sky Branch 3D Printing Services
Big Sky Branch Library
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Linux User Group
Blackfoot Room
6:00 pm - 6:45 pm
Introduction to Podcasting
MCAT
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
4HistoryBuffs
Cooper Room
Events for April
29
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Kids STEM Building
Families First Classroom
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Stories and Games for Diverse Abilities
Art Box
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Learn Computer Video Editing
MCAT
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Middle School Writers’ Group
Art Box
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Peaceful Bracelet Making Club
Imaginarium
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Seeley Lake Branch Library: Student Reading Group
Seeley Lake Branch Library
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Spring Artist Presentation with M.D. Schaffer
Cooper Room
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Big Sky Writers’ Group
Big Sky Branch Library
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Learn Computer Video Editing
MCAT
Events for April
30
9:30 am - 10:00 am
Mock Evacuation Drill
Missoula Public Library
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Tiny Tales
Imaginarium
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
YMCA Yoga at the Library
Cooper Room A
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
Introduction to Podcasting
MCAT
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Game On! @ MPL
Imaginarium
2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Teen Library Community
Art Box
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Big Sky Branch 3D Printing Services
Big Sky Branch Library
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Big Sky Branch Tech Time
Big Sky Branch Library
Events for May
1
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Tiny Tales
Imaginarium
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Swan Valley Branch Story Time
Swan Valley Branch
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Yarns @ MPL
Blackfoot Room
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Watercolor Painting Collaborative @ MPL
Cooper Room
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Young Adult Writers’ Group
Art Box
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
6th Annual TRASHFORMATIONS Upcycled Art Show
Cooper Room
Events for May
2
10:00 am - 10:45 am
MCAT Tour & Training
MCAT
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Research Studies & Science Activities for Kids
UM Living Lab
11:00 am - 11:45 am
Young Kids Dance Party
MCAT
11:30 am
Story Time
Imaginarium
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Stop Animation Workshop for Kids
MCAT
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
First Reads with Montana Repertory Theatre
Cooper Room
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Discovery Area Science Activity
spectrUM Discovery Area
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
D&D Guild for Teens
Virtual Event
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Saturday Tiny Tales
Imaginarium
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Learn 3 Camera Studio
MCAT