The Boulder Public Library is planning a series of public events this March, as part of its 50th anniversary celebration. Friends of the Library, a supplemental service organization working with the library board, has announced a series of Montana focused movie screenings, and will confirm more commemorative programming after their upcoming meeting on Mar. 7.
“We’re not necessarily a quiet library,” said Librarian Jodi Smiley. “We like to have a bit of life in here.”
Friends of the Library actively plans community programming, and aids the library with project development and fundraising efforts. For example, it raised $50,000 in 2013 for a building addition, and presently runs a book distribution program in partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which aims to provide free books to community children aged 0-5.
“If you start reading at a young age, it can change the trajectory of your whole life,” said Friends of the Library organizer Debbie Gabse. “We’re always doing something to bring people in, but we’re trying to amp things up for students and young readers.”
The library, as an organization, has existed in its present form since 1974. In its early years, however, its book and media collection was not centrally located and was housed among several community buildings, including the Boulder Elementary school gymnasium, the basement of the senior center, and resident homes. The library completed construction of its present building in 1993, and has since operated there.
Friends of the Library will hold its first community film screening on Mar. 5, and then weekly until the end of the month. Additional events will be announced in the coming weeks.
