21st century library a lot more than just books

April 30, 2013

billwilke Arts and entertainment, Community news, Education Leave a comment

By NATHAN VOELLER/Montana State News

Prospective patrons who expect to see a warehouse full of books will observe something else when they enter the Bozeman Public Library. To reach the first shelves of books, they must pass a coffee shop, a large meeting room, electronic anti-theft detectors and self-checkout circulation desks.

According to Lois Dissly, the head of technical and automated services at the Bozeman Public Library, libraries are no longer just about books. Technological advances have spurred changes in library services, the way libraries are used and even the jobs of librarians.

Dissly said one of the largest changes the Bozeman Public Library and other libraries across Montana have undergone has been the emergence of MontanaLibrary2Go as a new service.

According to the Statewide Library Resources Division, “MontanaLibrary2Go is a consortium service that offers circulating downloadable digital e-books and audiobooks to patrons at participating libraries.” More

Chance meetings lead to musical success

April 30, 2013

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By ALEX KOMSTHOEFT/Montana State News

“Damn, that is good,” Shawn Swain says as he sips on his Bridger Brewery IPA.

Handcrafted, local beer is just one of the many fine things these Kitchen Dwellers appreciate about their hometown of Bozeman. From Montana, Alaska, Colorado, Wisconsin and Illinois, these five boys have unmistakably crossed paths to collaborate what they define as “no ordinary string band.”

All past and present students of Montana State University, these once individual musicians have found their collective sound as a foot-stomping, crowd-pleasing, heart pumping bluegrass band.

Joe Funk and Kyle Shelstad met their freshman year in 2009 when the magic started. “I met Kyle in September of 2010 and the three of us started playing together,” said Swain. “A week later I met Torrin in class.”

Shelstad left the country for a semester and Tyler Schultz stood in as a substitute guitar player for the Kitchen Dwellers. Upon Shelstad’s return, the band had one too many guitarists and were short one fiddle player. The obvious, rational solution Schultz came to was to “just show up with my fiddle that I had never played before. Never.” More

Kids with needs motivate Eagle Mount staffer

April 30, 2013

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By AUTUMN TOENNIS/Montana State News

Heather Collins is quietly humble. “I’m not one for being in the spotlight,” she said.

Collins’ office at Eagle Mount Bozeman has a beautiful view of the Bridger Mountains; behind her desk hang colorful paintings of more mountains; both things betray her love of the outdoors. “I love to hike, ski, and fish – my husband is an avid fisherman and professional fly-tier,” she said smiling, exchanging a handshake before sitting down at her desk.

Heather Collins has been on the staff at Eagle Mount for seven years.

Heather Collins has been on the staff at Eagle Mount for seven years.

The road that brought her to Bozeman and Eagle Mount is a long one. Collins majored in Health and Human Performance at the University of Montana, intending to go on to medical school. However, a series of circumstances led her and her family to settle in Bozeman. It was there that she saw an ad in the paper for a position as the executive administrative assistant at Eagle Mount.

“I fell in love with what they do,” said Collins. “And I have always wanted to work with children with special needs.” This month is her seven-year anniversary, and she now is the facility’s development coordinator, working with fundraising, donors, business partners, special events and community partners. Her broad networking skills cover a variety of things. More

Technology the realm of modern librarian

April 29, 2013

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By MICHELE McDONALD/Montana State News

Hardback books neatly line the shelves near the Computer Services Desk at the Bozeman Public Library. Behind the desk sits Pam Henley, whose job is to help individuals interested in the technological services offered by the library.

Henley, a graduate of the University of Wyoming and the University of Oklahoma, serves as a technology assistant at the Bozeman Public Library. According to Henley, she started her current career when she and her family returned to Bozeman after living in Japan, Korea and Germany as her husband served in the U.S. Air Force.

While traveling abroad, Henley said she accumulated experience in elementary school libraries which were located on U.S. Air Force bases. According to Henley, public libraries were difficult to find in the nations she visited.

“I never saw a library when I was overseas,” said Henley. “I lived off the base area, so I saw a lot of the economical part of the country. But I never once saw a public library.”

Although libraries did not seem to be numerous, Henley said technological advances overseas surpassed those in the United States. Technology from Japan and Germany always seemed advanced and people in Korea had cell phones before they were popular in the United States, so Henley became comfortable with new technology. More

Fundraiser nets $30,000 for library

April 29, 2013

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By NATHAN VOELLER/Montana State News

The Bozeman Public Library Foundation’s fifth annual Cornerstone Celebration raised a record $30,000 for library related activities, according to Foundation Director Paula Beswick.

Beswick said the money raised at the Cornerstone Celebration will be used for programs and services the foundation provides for the people of Bozeman. In 2012, the Bozeman Public Library Foundation provided 135 programs for the public.

“We do all kinds of programs: even college prep courses,” said Beswick.

Jack Kligerman, a volunteer at the library, listed public book readings, book clubs, music performances, art openings, reading programs for children and computer services as some of the offerings of the library. He said he is personally grateful for the opportunities such offerings provide for community members.

“Life without the library would be too isolated,” Kligerman wrote. More

Clintons picked to open Music on Main season

April 29, 2013

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By ALEX KOMSTHOEFT/Montana State News

The Clintons are scheduled to open for the 13th annual Music on Main concert series this summer in Historic Downtown Bozeman.

Music on Main is hosted by the Downtown Bozeman Association whose mission is to contribute to the well-being, growth and vitality of downtown Bozeman, according to their website.

The event kicks off on Thursday, June 27 on Main Street from Rouse Avenue to Black Avenue. The music will last from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and continue every Thursday evening through August 15.

This will be the fourth year the Downtown Bozeman Association has selected The Clintons as Music on Main’s season opener. This Bozeman rock band has traveled throughout the Northwest, but usually play in venues hosting 200-600 people. More

City, county strike pact for Oak St. bike path

April 18, 2013

billwilke Bozeman city news, Community news, Lifestyles, Outdoors Leave a comment

By KEVIN KNAPEK/Montana State News

The Bozeman City Commission agreed to authorize the city manager to sign an agreement with Gallatin County that would allow the county to act as the lead party in managing the construction of a bike/pedestrian path along the south side of Oak Street. This project will be paid for with Community Transportation Enhancement Program (CTEP) funds.

The City Commission had previously adopted the CTEP prioritized projects with the acceptance of the CTEP Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). The projects that were listed in the CIP included: missing sidewalks, bike/pedestrian facilities and missing accessible curbs. Included in the list of proposed projects was the bike/pedestrian path along Oak Street.

The recommended bike/pedestrian path that will be located on the south side of Oak Street is currently under both Gallatin County and city of Bozeman jurisdiction. Early on in the process it was said that Gallatin County would bundle it with other bike/pedestrian pathways in order to cut costs. The agreement was made in order to delegate the funds to the county under the City’s right of way. More

Fee waiver denied for immigration rally

April 18, 2013

billwilke Bozeman city news, Community news Leave a comment

By ALEX KOMSTHOEFT/Montana State News

The Bozeman City Commission denied the request to wave the assembly fees for the “Keeping Families Together Rally” Monday.

The Montana Organizing Project, who is hosting the event on May 1, will advocate immigration rights in Lindley Park. Reserving the location is expected to cost approximately $1,000.

“I don’t see any preponderance of evidence that we should change out policy, because I think it’s for the benefit of the people who use our parks,” Commissioner Chris Mehl said at the meeting,

Mayor Sean Becker said that the fee is “not too expensive” and that the fee is intended to recoup some of the city’s costs of accommodating the event. The motion was voted down 3-to-1.

Carson Taylor was the only commissioner in favor of waiving the fee. By adjusting the city fees, groups could apply for cheaper permits for the rally close to Main Street, according to Taylor. More

Board backs aquatics center plan

April 18, 2013

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By LEVI WORTS/Montana State News

The question of what to do about Bogert pool has been on the tip of citizens tongues for years. The iconic pool is the only outdoor public swimming center in all of Bozeman.

Unfortunately the pool has a massive leak and a boiler from the 1940s heater heating the water. The leak is hemorrhaging 8,000 to 10,000 gallons a day during operation and the boiler is hanging by a thread, according to Dan McCarthy, city aquatics director.

These problems coupled with other issues will take an estimated $2 million to fix. Bob Wade, Parks and Recreation Board member, said, “It’s like throwing good money after bad, and we are not sure Bogert pool will make it a week.” More

Commission to take up bike path, clean up

April 15, 2013

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By CASSIDY GEOGHEGAN/Montana State News

Saturday, April 20, is Earth Day and the city of Bozeman has planned a Clean Up Day and Sustainability Fair for that day. The event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bogert Park Pavilion.

Also to be discussed at Monday night’s meeting will be the recommendation to authorize the City Manager to sign an agreement with Gallatin County to allow the county to act as the lead party in managing the construction of a bike/pedestrian path along Oak Street. This project will be paid for with Community Transportation Enhancement Program (CTEP) funds.

The City Commission meets at 6 p.m. Monday in City Hall.

The CTEP Capital Improvement Projects have funded past outdoor projects, including but not limited to: missing sidewalks, bike/pedestrian facilities and missing accessible curbs. More

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