Missoula’s Library Has Much to Offer

It’s no wonder Missoula’s new library was named the world’s best public library by the International Federation of Library Associations in 2022, a year after it opened. The floor to ceiling windows on all four floors allow the natural light to spill in. Aside from books, movies and audiobooks to check out, the library has much to offer for all ages and range of interest.
Cam, the one year old boy I care for, and I go at least once a week. The children’s section on the second floor has an entire area for littles to run around, play kitchen, climb on soft benches. It doesn’t take long for Cam to run to the area for a little older children with a water play area and a soft slightly sloped platform for one years olds to practice running. Yesterday we made our way to the Spectrum space, an interactive science museum. As Cam and I put pegs in a giant bright light, a mother was making a large heart design with pegs. Her husband and two year old girl were on the other side of the board making shapes with magnets.
She introduced herself, “We are here visiting from Orlando, FL and just happened to discover this library.”
“I’m so glad you did, story time is tomorrow, but you do have Disney World.”
“But we don’t have a free library that offers all this.”

Even though I’m tired after a day of chasing a one year old, I made it back to the library for the evening family history writing class. Well worth it. A few weeks prior I attended a class on genealogy, learning how to search for ancestral records. Yes, I could get lost in research. Familysearch.org is free, you can access Ancestry.com for free if you are in the Missoula library. There is a genealogy section and Desiree is there to answer questions.

With winter coming I wanted to pick up knitting again. The library host a knitting group every Friday at noon. I went to be reminded how to cast on. Fingers occupied either knitting or crocheting, women of all ages looked up and welcomed me to come sit. “Oh Sandy can show you how to cast on.” For two hours as my fingers remembered, stories and stitches were shared.

Who knows, maybe I’ll make it to the yoga class on Thursdays or the introduction to podcasting class.