The Winter Program Guidebook is full of wonderful opportunities to connect for people of all ages. Enjoy a festive, happy winter season at your library! Available online or pick up a copy at any service desk.
Mobile Services Schedule Change
Beginning in January, Mobile Services will be trialing a new schedule. Each of the stop locations will be visited every third week instead of every two weeks. All current stops will be retained in the new schedule, but some will be changing days or times. Schedule and stop information can be found on this page. Schedules are updated monthly with new schedules being posted approximately a week before the new month. Please feel free to reach out to Mobile Services with any questions or concerns as we continue to look for the best ways to reach our community.
Blackstone Unlimited
Access to Blackstone Unlimited will be available through the end of January 2026. Find audiobooks on our other apps through the library website.
January Closures
The Library will be closed Thursday, January 1 for New Year's Day and Monday, January 19 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Ultimate Book Nerd Challenge
Calling all readers 12 years old and up to join in a reading challenge as the new year kicks off! The Ultimate Book Nerd (UBN) Challenge will start January 2 and asks participants to read one book in each of the 50 categories – that’s 50 books in 52 weeks. Winners will receive a prize: a high-quality book bag with the words, “Ultimate Book Nerd.”
“If you’ve been told your nose is always buried in a book, or your headphones are always tuned into an audiobook, you might be the perfect fit to take on this challenge,” says Becky Kasten, Assistant Library Director at Bozeman Public Library. “We launched this program to encourage people to challenge themselves to a year of reading and learning, and we’re excited to see who takes us up on it.”
The categories will be listed in a log sheet and vary widely. Readers can interpret categories differently, and the main requirement is that they be 50 different books.
While participants are going through the challenge, the Library will also host quarterly “Meetings of the Nerds” on the second Thursday of March, June, September, and December 2026. These meetings will be a chance to talk with fellow participants about books they have been reading and categories they have yet to finish.
This tough and stimulating program originated in Boise Public Library and is the first time Bozeman is attempting the challenge.Start the challenge!
After a whirlwind week of fabulous conversations in November, one thing is clear: people come to the BPL Children's Room both for the collection - the books, films, and audiobooks - and for the Library playspaces. We received 135 formal responses to our design activities, surveys, and structured conversations. Families want:
Play! Zone Defined, Age Separated Playspaces
Both quiet and active play zones as well as better definition of age separated play included soft padded and protected areas for toddlers and crawlers, open-ended play for preschoolers, and a place where older kids who often feel "too big" for the the current room can learn.
Books & Early Literacy
Access to physical books while ensuring browsing is intuitive and accessible for all ages. Prioritizing literacy-focused spaces and play over digital screens.
Creative Learning & Hands-On Activities
A robust creative learning zone including STEAM and maker-style activities, craft areas, sensory play, dramatic play, and art exploration.
A Calmer, Less Crowded, Less Noisy Environment
Caregivers consistently described the Children's Room as overcrowded- especially during peak times and winter months - with an open layout that amplifies noise and create a chaotic environment for supervising kids and focused play.
Warm, Welcoming, Whimsical Aesthetic
A magical, child-friendly environment that feels warm and imaginative. Repeated themes include avoiding cold, overly modern design and using natural materials, softness, and color.
Our conversations confirmed what we know anecdotally: that families love learning through play, through hands-on scientific or artistic exploration, through social connections and community, and through the extensive library collection. It will be a tall order to balance all of these needs within the spatial and financial parameters of this renovation. Please stay tuned for more updates as we move into the scoping and pricing phases of this project. Photo credit: MSR Design.
Novelist Guide to Reading
What kind of reader are you? The Novelist Guide to Reading can help you discover your next favorite book based on story elements, appeal factors, genre, and themes.
Do you like intricately plotted books? There’s a search feature for that. Are you a fan of bittersweet tales? There’s a search feature for that. Or maybe you’d rather immerse yourself in a strong sense of place, richly detailed prose, or evocative elements? You guessed it, there’s a search feature for that.
Give it a try by logging in with your library card. Search for your favorite book and see what factors it has – and then find read-alikes!
Gyrokinesis
Discover the joy of movement in the new year with this gentle, seated class led by certified instructor Erin Groth. Gyrokinesis is designed to support spinal health, body awareness, and overall well-being. Two free Gyrokinesis classes are offered each Thursday at the Library- the Introduction class is at 12:15 PM and the Progressive Practice class (for participants that are ready to move beyond the Introduction class) at 1:15 PM in the Community Room. See you there!
Leave a Comment for Your Library
Do you have feedback for your library? We’d love to hear from you. Your comments are always welcome and will be carefully considered.
