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State Library Guide
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Montana Libraries: Free for Students, Parents & Teachers

What your Montana public and state library gives you free with a card: research databases, ebooks and audiobooks, homework help, early literacy, and accessible reading.

Public Libraries
84
Locations
121
Annual Visits
3,248,834
Items Borrowed / yr
4,861,508
Your State LibraryBy the NumbersEarly LiteracyAccessible ReadingFind a LibraryOfficial Links
Your State Library

Montana State Library

Every resident of Montana has free access to a statewide library system run by Montana State Library. With a local library card, students, parents, and teachers can use research databases, ebooks and audiobooks, and learning programs at no cost. Here is what is available and how to get it.

Worth knowing: Also hosts a statewide geographic information (GIS) clearinghouse and the Natural Heritage Program.
The state, by the numbers

Montana public libraries at a glance

Public libraries
84
library systems in the state
Service locations
121
main libraries, branches & bookmobiles
Visits a year
3,248,834
in-person visits statewide
Items borrowed a year
4,861,508
total materials circulated
Program attendance
363,536
at library programs
Children's program attendance
220,084
at youth programs
Visits per resident
3
per person, per year
Source: U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Public Libraries Survey (FY 2024). View the data →
Birth to kindergarten

Early literacy programs

Ready 2 Read, from the Montana State Library, includes Books Before Bedtime (ages 0-5), 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

For print-disabled readers

Accessible reading & talking books

Students and family members who cannot read standard print (because of a visual, physical, or reading disability such as dyslexia) can get free audiobooks and braille through Montana Talking Book Library, part of the national NLS network and its BARD download service. Montana Talking Books (Montana State Library), part of the NLS network, serves residents who can't use standard print because of a visual, physical, or reading disability; apply by phone, email, or online.

Get started

Find a library & get a card

Use the official locator to find your nearest Montana public library, hours, and how to get a card. Find a library →

Through Montana Shared Catalog, you can borrow materials from libraries across the state by interlibrary loan.

Verify at the source

Official links

Montana State Libraryhttps://msl.mt.govFind a libraryhttps://msl.mt.gov