Adults

Special Events 

Library Book Groups

  • Turning Page: Days Without End by Sebastian Barry, January 23rd, 7:00 pm
  • Litcentric:  The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson, January 29th, 7:00 pm
  • Graphics: Batman: the Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller, February 6th, 7:00 pm
  • Please call 657-8290 for Information

Upcoming Special Events


One Book Billings: A River Runs Through It

OBB_Logo

In January, we'll talk about A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT AND OTHER STORIES by Norman McLean. Three semi-autobiographical stories from this great Montana author form the book. The title story is the famous tale of the family where there is “no clear line between religion and fly fishing”, but the other two are quintessential Montana stories as well. Sign up starting December 1st at the 2nd floor Help Desk or by calling 657-8290. Discussions will take place January 7-10.

Special Movie Event at Art House CinemaRiverRunsThruIt_poster

In conjunction with January's One Book Billings discussions of Montana author Norman Maclean's A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT, we have a special screening of the film at Art House Cinema at 109 N 30th St. The film came out in 1992, and was directed by Robert Redford. It will be shown at 7:00 pm on Monday, January 14th. See you there!

Wildlife Gardening

birdhousesBillings is putting out the welcome mat for birds, butterflies and other wildlife through a new effort by the Montana Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Federation.  Liz Bronson will present a program on the Community Wildlife Habitat Project, which enhances and restores wildlife corridors in urban and suburban areas, improves resistance to drought and other climate changes, conserves water, and makes the environment healthier -- outcomes that benefit people and wildlife. Wednesday, January 16th, in the Community Room.  

Women's Conference

The Institute for Peace Studies and Billings Public Library are sponsoring the "We are Women--Watch us Soar!" Women's Conference.  This year's theme is "Entrepreneurial Women".  A $25.00 nonrefundable fee covers materials, lunch, snacks and door prizes. Please register with the Institute through email at peacestudies@rocky.edu, by calling 406-657-1042 or by visiting the Institute's Facebook page .  Saturday, January 26th from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm in the Community Room.

Help Us Celebrate!

5Our new building opened 5 years ago in January 2014, and we are marking the anniversary with programs, treats, and a scavenger hunt!

  • January 28th:  How to Build a Library Panel Discussion.  Take a step back in time to find out how the building came to be with this discussion featuring panelists Bill Cochran (ret. Library Director), Shari Nault (ret. board chair), Frank Cross, Lloyd Mickelson (building committee chairs) and Bill Lamdin (board member).  The panel will be moderated by current board chair Roger Young.  7:00 pm, Community Room. 
  • January 30th:  Kevin Kooistra: A Brief History of the Billings Public Library.  Join us in welcoming Kevin Kooistra, Executive Director of the Western Heritage Center, for a look at the Library's 117-year history, which began in 1901 as a donation by the Billings family in memory of their son Parmly.  We'll look at how the Library shaped our city, and was shaped by Billings in return.  This presentation will take place in the Community Room at 6:00 pm. 
  • February 2nd: Scavenger Hunt.  The Friends of the Library and the BPL Foundation invite you for treats and a fun-filled Library Scavenger Hunt!  Get your list of clues and an answer sheet in the Community Room, then search the Library for the answers.  Every participant will receive a prize, and there will be a drawing at the end for tickets to a special upcoming event here in Billings.  In addition, the Friends will be hosting a Pop-Up Book Sale in the Book Nook from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm!

Classes and Crafts:

Tai Chi for Everyone presented by the Taoist Tai Chi Society of Billings

In the Taoist tradition, a person's health depends on the harmony of body, mind, and spirit. The Taoist Tai Chi arts exercise the entire physiology, including the tendons, joints, connective tissue and the internal organs. Attendees should wear comfortable clothing that allows movement, including grip-less, flat-soled shoes, and should be prepared to sign a waiver.Thursdays at Noon in the Community Room.


The Fellowship of the Fiber 


Thursday, January 24, 1pm, Large Conference Room
We are the library's fiber arts enthusiasts who knit, crochet, embroider, spin, felt, and generally love fiber arts.  We get together the second Tuesday and fourth Thursday of every month to talk about what we enjoy the most and share projects.  If you're a newbie at the fiber craft game, we can help you learn!  This is our Fellowship, we look forward to your company!

Yellowstone Genealogy Forum

During our 5th anniversary week, the Forum is offering two classes: Family Tree

  • January 29th:  Learn how to use city directories, phonebooks, and newspapers in your research.  This class meets from 12:00 - 1:00 pm in the Computer Classroom. 
  • January 31st:  Join us for a program discussing how our ancestors migrated to Montana at 7:00 pm in the Community Room.

One on One Tech Tutoring

It's never to late to learn! Would you like some help learning to better use your computer, smartphone or other digital device? Give us a call and sign up for a free one-hour session. Our Senior Outreach Librarian will help answer your questions and make you a more confident user of technology. To set up an appointment, call 657-8255.

Library Book Groups!  

The Library sponsors book discussion groups which are sure to whet your appetite for something different:

Turning Page Book Discussion Group

 

uses the Library's collection of book club kits and usually meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month. We gather in the 2nd floor Reading Room at 7pm.  We are taking a break over the holidays, so our next meeting will be January 23rd, when we will discuss Days Without End by Sebastian Barry. Call 657-8290 to register.

LitCentric Book Discussion Group

  meets the last Tuesday of every month between January and October at 7pm in the second floor Large Conference Room.  We use a combination of self-purchased copies and library book club kits. Bring your mug for coffee!  We are currently reading The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson.
Email refdesk@ci.billings.mt.us to sign up.

Graphics:  A Graphic Novel Book Group

A joint project with Adult and Teen Services, this intergenerational book group will feature selections from our new Graphic Novel Book Kits for bi-monthly discussions.  Our next selection will be Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller, and books will be available to check out at the 2nd floor Help Desk on January 2nd for our meeting on February 6th. Read the book and then join us to share your thoughts over a slice of pizza!

Looking for your Next Favorite Book or Movie? 

Visit our Readers' Corner to find out what members of our Library Staff are reading and watching.  You will see what we are excited about, and can join in the conversation!  To learn about the latest hot titles, check out Book Sizzle.  Then come back next week;  we update these pages regularly!