Library News
August 4, 2022
Dear Community,
Wednesday morning ImagineIF Library staff discovered books in the book return that appear to have been damaged by a firearm. Out of an abundance of caution for our staff and community, we made the decision to close the Library while the Kalispell Police Department investigated and apologize for the inconvenience this caused our patrons.
The damaged books do not appear to have any connection to controversial subjects, but we as the Library staff and trustees do not take this lightly and we will prioritize the safety of our staff, patrons and community and work with the Kalispell Police Department towards a resolution.
All Library branches will resume normal operations Thursday, August 4 as we have no reason to believe this is anymore than an isolated incident. We look forward to welcoming you.
Ashley Cummins, Library Director
Doug Adams, Chairman, Board of Trustees
Local News
August 4, 2022: Books riddled with bullet holes found in library book return bin
July 29, 2022: ImagineIF staff honored for response to challenged books
July 29, 2022: ImagineIF Libraries to be awarded with the Pat Williams Intellectual Freedom Award
July 22, 2022: Supporters turn out to praise new library board appointee
July 10, 2022: Library trustees, commissioners aren’t upholding their fiduciary duty
June 26, 2022: Library board end-around the right move for Bigfork
June 21, 2022: Library Board Recommends Three Candidates for Open Seat
May 9, 2022: Library foundation’s new executive director ready for challenges ahead
April 16, 2022: Montana State Library Commission Discusses ImagineIF Certification, Funding
April 6, 2022: Kalispell’s ImagineIF Library faces lack of donor confidence
April 5, 2022: Library Board Affirms Decision to Not Appeal Loss of Funding
March 25, 2022: Library Board Can’t Rally Votes to Appeal State Funding Loss
March 12, 2022: Policy Differences on Display at Library Board Retreat
March 10, 2022: Kalispell’s ImagineIF library discusses book collection
March 7, 2022: New ImagineIF Director Touts Unconventional Path to Becoming Librarian
February 16, 2022: Montana ACLU files records request regarding library board
February 15, 2022: Library commissioner resigns to avoid conflict of interest over Kalispell controversy
February 12, 2022: County challenges loss of state certification for ImagineIF
February 11, 2022: Advocacy group forms in wake of library trustee decisions
February 11, 2022: Montana State Library Commissioner Resigns, Citing ImagineIF Support
February 9, 2022: Readers rally for library
February 4, 2022: Library Foundation Director Resigns
February 3, 2022: ImagineIf library foundation director explains resignation
February 2, 2022: Reading Between the Lines
February 2, 2022: ImagineIF libraries reduces open hours in Kalispell
January 27, 2022: New Kalispell library director will result in loss of state funding
January 25, 2022: Library launches science education program
January 24, 2022: Library Policy Committee Conducts Review, Clashes Over Definition of Censorship
January 13, 2022: Library Board Splits Vote on Challenged Books
January 6, 2022: Approval of New Library Director to Result in Loss of Certification, Funding
December 21, 2021: ImagineIF Trustees Conduct Interviews for Director Job
December 14, 2021: Bigfork Library Hits New Milestone
December 3, 2021: Interim library director resigns amid conflict with board
December 2, 2021: Flathead County Library Director Resigns Amid Board Meddling
November 16, 2021: Public Library Receives Formal Complaints About Two Books
October 28, 2021: ImagineIF Kalispell features Día de los Muertos art installation
October 17, 2021: Fifty Years of Rocky Hoerner Art
October 7, 2021: What’s a Library Worth?
September 30, 2021: ImagineIF libraries feature two art exhibits
July 21, 2021: Library director stepping down to take job in Washington
July 4, 2021: Foundation offers $50,000 matching grant for Bigfork library
Jun 17, 2021: ImagineIf libraries bring tactile fun to summertime play
June 9, 2021: ImagineIF offering outdoor educational programming
June 11, 2021: ImagineIF Libraries plan outdoor summer programs
May 2, 2021: ImagineIF trustee recognized with special award
April 29, 2021: Library Prepares for Return to Normalcy
April 26, 2021: Free seed library fully restocked in Columbia Falls
April 23, 2021: ImagineIF libraries return to full-time hours May 3
April 6, 2021: Library board considers polling voters on funding
March 14, 2021: Library board ponders solutions for budget crunch
March 4, 2021: ImagineIF Libraries could lift mask requirement in June
February 16, 2021: Bigfork Library Campaign Surpasses Major Milestone
January 29, 2021: ImagineIF’s ‘Making Montana’ wins state Program of the Year Award
January 17, 2021: ImagineIF Libraries Extend Hours, Continue Take-Home Education Kit
July 8, 2020: ImagineIF Libraries adds new services
June 11, 2020: KALICO Brings Community Art to Kalispell
June 10, 2020: ImagineIF Libraries resume public computer use
May 13, 2020: ImagineIF Libraries to reopen with new hours
April 29, 2020: Building a Virtual Library
April 25, 2020: ImagineIF Libraries to provide curbside pickup starting May 4
April 17, 2020: Helping Parents and Kids at Home
March 23, 2020: Youth services librarian’s passion sparks children’s curiosity
February 26, 2020: Fifth Annual ‘Free the Seeds!’ Event Scheduled for March 7
February 22, 2020: Fun with food boils over at ImagineIF competition
February 21, 2020: Inspiring the Emerging Workforce
Feb 13, 2020: ImagineIF hosts Montana wildlife art exhibits
Media Releases
August 4, 2022: Library Closure Update
July 28, 2021: ImagineIF Receives Intellectual Freedom Award 2022
July 13, 2022: Summer of Science at ImagineIF
June 14, 2021: Summer Experience Kicks Off at ImagineIF Libraries
May 26, 2022: Open House at ImagineIF Columbia Falls
April 12, 2022: ImagineIF Announces New Science Initiatives
March 31, 2022: ImagineIF Launches New Youth Programming this Spring
February 9, 2021: ImagineIF Welcomes New Library Director
January 31, 2022: ImagineIF Announces Updated Hours and New Toddler Time Program
January 19, 2022: ImagineIF Offers New Science Tools for Checkout
December 18, 2021: ImagineIF Libraries Interim Director Resigns
November 2, 2021: ImagineIF Launches New Website
October 26, 2021: Local Artist Brings Día de los Muertos Exhibit to ImagineIF Libraries
September 21, 2021: Local Art Exhibits Return to ImagineIF Libraries this Fall
August 31, 2021: ImagineIF Announces Fall Programming for Kids and Teens
August 25, 2021: ImagineIF Celebrates National Library Card Sign-Up Month
August 12, 2021: ImagineIF Libraries’ Ellie Newell selected for 40 Under 40 Award
July 19, 2021: ImagineIF Libraries Director Resigns
June 9, 2021: ImagineIF Kicks Off Summer with Outdoor Educational Programming
May 24, 2021: Summer Experience for All Ages Kicks Off at ImagineIF
April 29, 2021: ImagineIF Trustee Wins MLA’s Jane Lopp Trustee of the Year Award
April 20, 2021: ImagineIF Libraries Returns to Full Hours in May
February 4, 2021: Flipster Press Release
January 19, 2021: Making Montana Wins Montana Library Association’s Program of the Year Award 2020
January 6, 2021: ImagineIF Offers Take-home Kits for Kids and Teens
December 29, 2020: ImagineIF Libraries Expands Open Hours in the New Year
September 11, 2020: ImagineIF Kicks Off Fall with New Programs for Kids and Teens
September 9, 2020: ImagineIF Launches Family-Friendly Civic Literacy Programming
July 2, 2020: ImagineIF Libraries Offers List of New Services
June 17, 2020: ImagineIF Libraries Offers New Personal Shopper Service
June 12, 2020: ImagineIF and Local Nonprofits Team-up to Deliver Literacy Kits to Families
June 12, 2020: ImagineIF Libraries Offers Expanded Open Hours
June 8, 2020: ImagineIF Libraries Offers Free Computer Use Sessions
June 4, 2020: ImagineIF Adds More Online Resources to their Virtual Branch
May 29, 2020: Summer Experience for All Ages Kicks Off at ImagineIF
May 11, 2020: ImagineIF Libraries to Reopen with New Open Hours
May 5, 2020: ImagineIF Offers New Online Service Built by Local Developer
April 30, 2020: ImagineIF Libraries Launches Curbside Pickup