'Twas the day before the day before Christmas...

Okay, because of Christmas Day falling on a Saturday this year, we're not open on Christmas Eve Day. Therefore, we've had to edit Laura's famous 'Twas the Day Before Christmas @ Your Library poem.

'Twas the day before (the day before) Christmas and all through the stacks,
People were looking for trade paperbacks.

And books on CD to help pass the time
during holiday travel or waiting in line

To buy that last gift, it had been a long haul
And they needed a way to escape from it all.

So off to the library they wandered in quest
Of a good book to read that stood out from the rest

Or maybe a holiday music CD
To play while they finished trimming the tree

Or even a kids' Christmas book to be read
To help restless children get settled in bed.

Then up to the checkout, arms full, they did dash
Where friendly staff helped them check out in a flash,

They packed their selections and went on their way
With a wave and a smile and a "Happy Holiday!"

As they left the building, I heard them all say:
"We're so glad you're open the day before Christmas Eve Day!"

We close at 9pm tonight, December 23rd and will be closed on Friday, December 24th and Saturday, December 25th. Enjoy the wonderment of the season!

We will reopen at 1pm on Sunday, December 26th.

Merry Christmas to you and yours from the staff at Missoula Public Library!

Books on My Desk

A small shipment of colorful holiday books has arrived. Ask the librarians at the kids’ desk to show you the plethora of Hanukkah & Christmas books we have in stock.

Olivia Claus

Call #: HOLIDAY E FALCONE

On the night before Christmas, Olivia discovers that her favorite stuffed monkey, Mathilda, is missing, as are other favorite items from around the house.

Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney

Call #: HOLIDAY E DEWDNEY

Llama Llama becomes overwhelmed as Christmas preparations progress, until his mother reminds him of the real gift the holiday brings.

It’s Christmas, David! By David Shannon

Call #: HOLIDAY E SHANNON

Christmas has arrived with so many rules to follow that David fears his mistakes will cause Santa to pass him by.

It's beginning to look a lot like....

It's even more festive inside!

  The snowy weather has gotten the Missoula Public Library staff into a festive mindset this week.  On Friday, the Lolo Brownies made their annual jaunt to our lower lobby to spruce up the official MPL Christmas tree.  And what a spectacular (and patriotic) job they did!   Adorned with yellow ribbons, decorated stars with the names of local soldiers, some crafty blue globes, and delicious-smelling cinnamon cookie ornaments, the Lolo Brownies certainly outdid themselves this holiday season.  Thank you, ladies!  

We like to spread cheer throughout the building when possible, so we've put up a very special Toiletries Tree (we like to call it a toiletree) near the library's main entrance.  While returning your books, you can also give back to the Missoula Community by donating personal hygiene items for the Domestic Violence Shelter.  

But wait, there's more!  We're going to brave the wintry weather and take our Christmas cheer to the streets this weekend.  Keep your eyes peeled for our book cart drill team at this Saturday's Parade of Lights.  Our bookcarts are all gussied up for the occasion.  All aboard!

Gnome for the Holidays

A very merry Christmas to everyone. The library is closed, and while the staff is out with their friends and family, the gnomes are having their own tiny celebration in their Gnome House today. Looks like Santa left a few presents under their tree! Enjoy your holiday and we'll see you tomorrow.

Christmas Eve Day at the library

Back by popular demand, here's a holiday favorite composed by our very own staff member, Laura, originally posted last year at this time...

'Twas the day before Christmas and all through the stacks,
People were looking for trade paperbacks.

And books on CD to help pass the time
during holiday travel or waiting in line

To buy that last gift, it had been a long haul
And they needed a way to escape from it all.

So off to the library they wandered in quest
Of a good book to read that stood out from the rest

Or maybe a holiday music CD
To play while they finished trimming the tree

Or even a kids' Christmas book to be read
To help restless children get settled in bed.

Then up to the checkout, arms full, they did dash
Where friendly staff helped them check out in a flash,

They packed their selections and went on their way
With a wave and a smile and a "Happy Holiday!"

As they left the building, I heard them all say:
"We're so glad you're open on Christmas Eve Day!"

The library is open until 6 p.m. today. We're closed Dec. 25, but reopen at 10 a.m. on Dec. 26.
Happy Holidays from the staff at Missoula Public Library!

A tree, a tree

The library's holiday tree is boasting some fantastic, colorful ornaments, thanks to Lolo Brownie Troop 3568. The Brownies stormed the lobby last night to share their hand-made ornaments with the rest of the Missoula community. If you feel like getting into the spirit of the season, you should stop by and enjoy the beautiful sight. And the cinnamon ornaments make it smell good, too. Thanks girls!

We have some more photos on our Flickr stream.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Hopefully Santa got you everything you asked for this year. We'll be taking the day off today to celebrate the holiday, but we'll be open again tomorrow at 10 am as usual.

Happy holidays!

(Original photo by flickr user krisdecurtis. Some Rights Reserved)

A Special Visitor

Tonight we had a very special visitor stop by and read to the kids...Santa! He stops by every year around this time, and he'll be back two more times if you have little ones who want to stop by and get a candy cane. You can catch him on Friday at 10:30 and Saturday at 11:00.

Checking In With Paula

Our Administrative Assistant Paula , who you may remember from Halloween, always keeps things interesting here at the library. Just yesterday she spun a hilarious yarn about her drive to work that had the whole circulation staff rolling on the floor. (The punchline was, "He sure was a lucky son of a buck!)

Starting today, we will periodically be checking in to see whats going on in her part of the world.

She recently moved to her brand new office (pictures of all the new offices coming soon, when everyone is unpacked) and the first thing she did was set up some of her Christmas decorations to get the staff properly instilled with Christmas spirit. Currently her office sports not one...

...but two ethnic Santas.

Paula has Christmas spirit, that's for sure. We'll be sure to check back in when she unloads the 10 or so more boxes of Christmas decorations she keeps in her garage.