Thanks to our generous supporters, we’ve raised more than $5.5 million toward the BPL Forward capital campaign and are ready to begin renovations!
On September 30, 2022, construction crews will start building the new central Hub on the Library’s first floor. They’ll also begin work on meeting rooms and will replace lighting throughout the public areas with brighter, much more energy-efficient fixtures.
Here's how that will change your Library visit this fall and winter:
Holds will be available for adult nonfiction, biographies, and languages. You will not be able to place holds on adult or teen fiction, magazines, audio and movies.
Areas and services remaining open include:
- Children’s Room
- Interlibrary Loan
- Curbside Pickup (limited genres)
- Bookmobile
- Book delivery for homebound residents
- Online e-library: books, movies, audio and more.
Pop-up collections give you access during the construction:
- Pop-Up Library Materials Collection, Large Community Room: features new adult fiction and nonfiction, Most Wanted books and DVDs, and popular teen material.
- Pop-Up Computer Room, Small Community Room: offers limited computers with a two-hour limit.
What happens next?
Shortly after that first stage is complete, construction will begin on the new learning labs in the Library atrium as well as meeting rooms and reading spaces on the second floor. This work will go through fall 2023 and will complete the renovations to our downtown Library.
Also in 2023, look for more information about an upcoming bond measure that will be put to voters for construction of a west side library. (Subscribe to our newsletter and we’ll keep you updated on the west side branch library.)
How can I help?
You can help your Library by spreading the word about the temporary closures and pop-up offerings. You can also share information about the fundraising effort–we have just over $100,000 left to raise for the renovations!
Why is the Library renovating?
Libraries used to be about what was in them–namely, books. Now,
they are increasingly about what happens in them. They are places to connect
with others and learn together. A modern library is the epicenter of community,
creativity, and collaboration.
Since our current library building opened in 2006, Bozeman has
added more than 20,000 new residents. This has put an incredible strain on our
ability to meet the demand for meeting space, access to technology, and new
ways of learning.
The relatively modest $5.6 million renovation will ensure that the
existing library–which will always remain Bozeman’s central library–can
continue to serve the evolving needs of our community for decades to come.