Click to share thisClick to share thisBig Sky Community Library Celebrates Ten Years
BY BARBARA ROWLEY
The Big Sky Community Library, located in Ophir School, is a bustling and growing success. The library has a catalog of 15,000 items, 16 computers, a support base of 200 active volunteers, a beautiful memorial garden, lively weekly story times and often, guest speakers.
But when the idea for a library for Big Sky was first broached ten years ago, it wasn’t seen as a universally good idea.
“We had critics say, I have all the books I need. Why do we need a library?” remembers Marlene Fontana, one of the founding board members and the first president of Friends of the Library (FOL).
Undeterred, Fontana and four friends each pitched in $20 to pay the costs of incorporating themselves and asked the community for support. The Big Sky Resort Tax Board kicked in $20,000 and the community helped fill the shelves with books.
“We got—and still get—a huge response to our request for old books,” says Roberta Crew, volunteer coordinator for the Friends of the Library. “But now we sell the ones which don’t fit in with our collection. It is a continuing source of funds for the library.”
“The money from the Resort Tax was more than we ever dreamed of getting,” says Fontana.” The Friends hired Kathy House, School Librarian, who has had the dual responsibility of school and community libraries ever since.
The library founders made a decision not become a publicly supported district, and instead, help expand and share the existing school library. This meant all they needed to do was buy books.
“We were so lucky that the school board was willing to work with us and shared our vision,” says Crew. Two years ago, when the school expanded, the library did as well, meeting the growing needs of the school and community at the same time.
While the school-community library partnership is unusual in Mon- tana—only one other library em- ploys it—it is logical and successful, say library founders. “We don’t have to buy children’s books—the school does that—and in turn the school community can access our extensive adult collections and computers,” explains Fontana.
Resort Tax Chair Al Malinowski says supporting the library has fallen clearly within their funding guide- lines. “What’s been great is that the library truly does impact all aspects of our community from the temporary workers to kids—you see every walk of Big Sky life in our library, and that’s one of our goals—to make sure that our dollars go to projects that touch all community members.”
The stories about how the library touches lives are legion. “I’ve watched international workers ride the bus down, so happy to be able to talk to their parents and get books to read,” says Crew. “Young moms and kids love story time,” says volunteer Gayle Eidson. “Moms socialize and kids, like my granddaughter, grow up coming here.” For retirees, the library is a welcome destination. “I’m living alone for the first time,” says volunteer Connie Barton.
“When I come to the library I interact with many people—and always find a book to read.”
As the library enters its second decade, plans are to keep growing and improving. A Junior Friends of the Library program, using the new and increasing population of teenagers in town, have been discussed. The Memorial Shelf fundraiser has over 200 named shelves. Planning is underway for new programs using the recently constructed French/Tuohy Memorial Garden.
The library is an on-going community-oriented project. “We are always looking for new ideas and ways to use the library to reach more community members and serve the public,” says current FOL Chair, Kay Reeves. “The Friends of the Library can always use more help. There are so many different ways to get involved, whether it’s packing up boxes for the Books for Soldiers program, or volunteering to help shelve books. We’re continually seeking new members and memberships.” For more information on becoming an FOL member, call the library at 995-4281 ext. 205 or bigskylibrary.org and click on FOL.
Barbara Rowley is a long-time supporter of the library. A 20-year resident of Big Sky and career magazine writer, she has been or is a contributing editor to many national publications including Parenting, Family Fun and Outside Magazines.
