Montana's first Carnegie library is getting a financial boost to help keep up its role as a community hub.
The Dillon Public Library opened in Dillon, Montana, in 1902 and still operates as a Carnegie library. Since it opened, it's served as a gathering place where people can read, learn and support each other.
Dillon Public Library Director Kim Denny said that's still happening today, and it goes far beyond checking out books for free.
"We have pickleball kits. We have backpacks with fishing poles and binoculars," said Denny. "We have iPads and hotspots and Chromebooks, and kits that, children that are going into school, the phonics, dinosaurs. We have senior kits for people that are worrying about dementia."
The Dillon Public Library is one of hundreds of Carnegie libraries each getting a $10,000 gift from Carnegie's foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, to celebrate the United States' 250th birthday.
Scottish immigrant Andrew Carnegie funded construction of nearly 1,700 free public libraries in the U.S. from 1886 to 1917, including 17 in Montana.
The corporation says libraries will be getting their checks this month and can use the funds however they would like.
Denny said when they got word of the gift, they weren't sure it was real, but soon verified it was.
She added that the library hasn't gotten the check yet, but they've already started thinking about ways they could use the funds. One idea is establishing a bookmobile to reach people who can't always visit the library.
"We're such a large county, but we have so many tiny towns that are 48 miles away, or 65 miles away," said Denny, "and we would love to be able to do an outreach to bring the books to people who just never get into town."
Denny said the library building itself is a tourist draw and point of pride – constructed to look like a church, complete with gargoyles and a tower.
She said she's thrilled the foundation is recognizing the importance of the Dillion Public Library's history and its place in the community.
"The library's been playing a big part in Dillon for 124 years," said Denny, "and we keep hoping to keep doing it for 120 more."
