Tuesday, July 15, 2014

269. Glendive, Montana

I have to start with these words from the library's web page: "A library is a community's gift to its future." That really says it.

This library was once a bank, and the transformation has used the building in a number of interesting ways. The drive-up banking window now serves as the book drop, with a locked box on the inside that projects into part of the children's area. Notice that the building is round: shelves are end-on to the walls, creating a radiating pattern. (It appears that each shelf is labeled with a donor's name.) An original entrance has become a small "sun room" for relaxing with something to read--or just relaxing; see the second picture below.

In the lobby is a plaque honoring a "Special Friend to Libraries," Frederic E. Dion.

Just inside the door I spotted "Keep calm and have fun with math," with materials from http://bedtimemath.org/. Check it out if you are interested in STEM activities for kids, especially but not exclusively the "M" of STEM. Notice that dot-org; they are not selling anything.

A dinosaur rug in the children's area is appropriate for this part of the country. There is a mural on the wall, while blue-and-white fabric creates a "sky" overhead. There are two children's computers, a kid-size easy chair, and a table with eight chairs. As I've seen in several other Montana libraries, there is a set of standard-sized kindergarten blocks, a classic construction toy. I like this sign: "We hope you enjoy the children's area. Thank you for helping your child clean up after playing."

The summer reading program is for all ages. A display of several dozen buckets allows participants to deposit tickets for the prize they hope to win. The buckets are color coded to indicate the age group each prize is intended for. It appears that each bucket represents a donation from a local business, and most of the prizes I noticed represent substantial contributions. Refer back to the first sentence I wrote at the top of the page.

A teen area has a tall table with chairs, an upholstered chair, and a crazy clock.

There are at least nine public computers. A conference room can be used for small meetings, and a community room on the lower level is used, among other things, for parenting courses. And, finally, the bank vault is used for genealogical material. Waste not, want not...it seems that this library is using its repurposed building to the max.
 
To learn more about this library, go to http://www.dawsoncountymontana.com/departments/library/glendive_public_library/index.php and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Glendive-Public-Library/129460740465886.

7/12/2014, car



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