Celebrity Poetry Reading

Missoula Public Library provided space for several events of this year's Montana Festival of the Book. The large meeting room was home to a poetry reading which featured some well-known names.

First up was Montana's Poet Laureate, Greg Pape.

Then Senator Jon Tester read a favorite of his about the farming life.

Missoula's Mayor John Engen then explained how hard it was to find an appropriate poem to read, eventually offering one about politics.

A good time was had by the full room's attendees, judging by the laughter and applause that echoed around downstairs.

A Mayoral Visit and Tour

Mayor Engen stopped by the Missoula Public Library Tuesday night in honor of National Library Week. We're always glad to have local notables stop by, and we were lucky enough to get the mayor. He read a proclamation and then it was off to tour the library.

20 or so members of the public got a chance to poke around the library. Our own library assistant Laura Cote guided the tour and was assisted by Karen and Kathy in the Kid's Department and Tech Services respectively. Tech Services was a new experience for most, someone even asked Kathy, "You really have a full time job down here? I didn't even know this part of the library existed." It does, and we have 6 full time employees there and 2 part time. It takes a lot of people to order, process, catalog, and get your materials upstairs. Plus they all take turns covering shifts at the check-out desk.

You can expect another library tour in the future, since this one was so well received. We just love to show the public what we're up to every day. And a special thanks to Mayor Engen for coming down and showing his support, it means a lot to us!