Library Closed for New Year's Day

The Great Falls Public Library is closed on Thursday, January 1 for New Year’s Day, a Federal Holiday. We will reopen on Friday, January 2 at 9 am.

MT

Inheritance Games Escape Room

When: By appointment Only December 23, 24, 26, 27, 30 and 31, January 2 and 3Audience: Kids and teens 10 to 18 and their families and caregiversWhat: FREE Escape Room at the Great Falls Public Library. “Everything’s a game. Play to win.” Solve the mystery by deciphering......More

When: By appointment Only December 23, 24, 26, 27, 30 and 31, January 2 and 3Audience: Kids and teens 10 to 18 and their families and caregiversWhat: FREE Escape Room at the Great Falls Public Library. “Everything’s a game. Play to win.” Solve the mystery by deciphering codes and opening locked boxes. Groups of family and friends are invited to reserve an hour-long appointment (please see staff for availability). Work as a team to hunt for clues and solve challenging puzzles. Most groups complete the Escape Room in under 45 minutes. We recommend that an adult accompany kids 12 and under. Please contact Youth Services Staff to sign up: (406) 453-0349, ext. 215, [email protected] Special thanks to the Omaha Public Library for developing this program!

Basement, Small Meeting Room, 301 2nd Ave North, Great Falls, MT, 59401-3612, United States

Inheritance Games Escape Room

When: By appointment Only December 23, 24, 26, 27, 30 and 31, January 2 and 3Audience: Kids and teens 10 to 18 and their families and caregiversWhat: FREE Escape Room at the Great Falls Public Library. “Everything’s a game. Play to win.” Solve the mystery by deciphering......More

When: By appointment Only December 23, 24, 26, 27, 30 and 31, January 2 and 3Audience: Kids and teens 10 to 18 and their families and caregiversWhat: FREE Escape Room at the Great Falls Public Library. “Everything’s a game. Play to win.” Solve the mystery by deciphering codes and opening locked boxes. Groups of family and friends are invited to reserve an hour-long appointment (please see staff for availability). Work as a team to hunt for clues and solve challenging puzzles. Most groups complete the Escape Room in under 45 minutes. We recommend that an adult accompany kids 12 and under. Please contact Youth Services Staff to sign up: (406) 453-0349, ext. 215, [email protected] Special thanks to the Omaha Public Library for developing this program!

Basement, Small Meeting Room, 301 2nd Ave North, Great Falls, MT, 59401-3612, United States

Youth Lego Club for January

(There will be no Youth Lego Club on January 19 (Dr. Martin Luther King Day) or January 26. The program will resume in February.)Audience: Ages 5 to 18 with their families/caregiversWhat: Come join the fun at Lego Club! Try the project of the week or choose to free buil......More

(There will be no Youth Lego Club on January 19 (Dr. Martin Luther King Day) or January 26. The program will resume in February.)Audience: Ages 5 to 18 with their families/caregiversWhat: Come join the fun at Lego Club! Try the project of the week or choose to free build and follow your imagination. Please leave your Legos at home! We have plenty for everyone and we don’t want yours to get lost. All Library events are free and open to the public.  Groups are welcome! Please contact Youth Services staff at (406) 453-0349 ext. 215, [email protected]

Cordingley Room, 301 2nd Ave North, Great Falls, MT, 59401-3612, United States

Bookworms Storytime -- Dragons

Audience: Kids 3-5 years and their families and caregiversWhat: Bookworms Storytime builds early literacy, social, and motor skills with stories, songs, and movement activities.  This January, our theme is Dragons. We will practice our counting and color vocabulary whil......More

Audience: Kids 3-5 years and their families and caregiversWhat: Bookworms Storytime builds early literacy, social, and motor skills with stories, songs, and movement activities.  This January, our theme is Dragons. We will practice our counting and color vocabulary while enjoying light-hearted and sweet fantasy picture books perfect for preschoolers. Questions? Please contact Youth Services staff: (406) 453-0340, ext. 215, [email protected]

Cordingley Room, 301 2nd Ave North, Great Falls, MT, 59401-3612, United States

Memory Cafe for January

Let’s take a trip together! Bring your favorite travel memorabilia with you to the January Memory Cafe. We will talk about those trips that stick with us, and enjoy the stories that we will all share together. The Memory Café is held each month. It is designed to be a c......More

Let’s take a trip together! Bring your favorite travel memorabilia with you to the January Memory Cafe. We will talk about those trips that stick with us, and enjoy the stories that we will all share together. The Memory Café is held each month. It is designed to be a comfortable, social setting for community, connection, and support to socialize with those that are concerned with memory loss.

Cordingley Room, 301 2nd Ave North, Great Falls, MT, 59401-3612, United States

Snap Circuits - Safe, hands-on experiments with electricity

Audience: Kids and teens 8-18 What: Explore electricity with snap-together blocks! Snap Circuits combine the fun of a Lego build with hands-on learning about electrical engineering. Build the perfect circuit to light up a lightbulb, sound a siren, or launch a mini helic......More

Audience: Kids and teens 8-18 What: Explore electricity with snap-together blocks! Snap Circuits combine the fun of a Lego build with hands-on learning about electrical engineering. Build the perfect circuit to light up a lightbulb, sound a siren, or launch a mini helicopter blade! Questions? Please contact Youth Services staff: (406) 453-0340, ext. 215, [email protected]

Cordingley Room, 301 2nd Ave North, Great Falls, MT, 59401-3612, United States

Preschool Storytime -- Birds

Audience: Kids 3-5 years old and their families/caregiversWhat: Preschoolers and their families/caregivers are invited to join us in the Cordingley Room (basement) to build early literacy skills with songs, movements, and a great story. January’s Storytime theme is Bird......More

Audience: Kids 3-5 years old and their families/caregiversWhat: Preschoolers and their families/caregivers are invited to join us in the Cordingley Room (basement) to build early literacy skills with songs, movements, and a great story. January’s Storytime theme is Birds. Questions? Please contact Youth Services Staff: (406) 453-0349, ext. 215, [email protected]

Cordingley Room, 301 2nd Ave North, Great Falls, MT, 59401-3612, United States

Visible Mending Workshop - Make & Mend Fiber Crafts

Audience: Ages 8 to 18What: Oh no! You tore your favorite shirt! Mend it and make it your own with Visible Mending, an embroidery technique you can use to repair and revive your old clothes and turn them into one of a kind works of art. FREE PROGRAM. Please bring one or......More

Audience: Ages 8 to 18What: Oh no! You tore your favorite shirt! Mend it and make it your own with Visible Mending, an embroidery technique you can use to repair and revive your old clothes and turn them into one of a kind works of art. FREE PROGRAM. Please bring one or more clean clothing items with you to mend. This FREE program is intended for people who are already familiar with the basics of hand sewing, such as how to thread a needle and sew a running stitch. A practice sewing activity will be provided for absolute beginners. Questions? Please contact Youth Services staff: (406) 453-0349, ext. 212, [email protected] This program will be facilitated by staff from the MSU Extension Center. For more information about the many programs they offer, including classes on cooking, finances, and caregiving, please visit: https://www.montana.edu/extension/cascade/

Cordingley Room, 301 2nd Ave North, Great Falls, MT, 59401-3612, United States

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Story Walk

Visit Gibson Park between dawn and dusk this month to read Kadir Nelson’s beautifully illustrated picture book adaptation of Dr. King’s I Have a Dream Speech. Bright Winter Night by Alli Brydon, a charming picture book about forest animals searching for the Northern Lig......More

Visit Gibson Park between dawn and dusk this month to read Kadir Nelson’s beautifully illustrated picture book adaptation of Dr. King’s I Have a Dream Speech. Bright Winter Night by Alli Brydon, a charming picture book about forest animals searching for the Northern Lights, will also be featured. The display will be up through February 4.  Watch American Sign Language interpretation of the I Have a Dream Speech by artist Takiyah Harris on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiyG_h1tnZE Listen to the I Have a Dream Speech read aloud by Great Falls community members on our SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-781769430/i-have-a-dream-audiorecording-jan-23 The Story Walk starts and ends at the parking area near the bandshell. The stroller-friendly path loops behind the bandshell, around the playground and the duck pond, and ends back at the parking area. It is less than a mile long and is available whenever Gibson Park is open (dawn to dusk).

Gibson Park, River's Edge Trail, Great Falls, MT, 59401, United States

Books & Babies for January

Audience: Babies birth to 1 ½ years and their families and caregiversWhat: Babies and their parents and caregivers are invited to join us for this fun, snuggly early literacy event for the littlest learners.  Babies will enjoy lap bounce songs and a quick, engaging stor......More

Audience: Babies birth to 1 ½ years and their families and caregiversWhat: Babies and their parents and caregivers are invited to join us for this fun, snuggly early literacy event for the littlest learners.  Babies will enjoy lap bounce songs and a quick, engaging story followed by playtime.  All events are free and open to the public.  Groups are welcome!  Questions? Please contact Youth Services Staff at (406) 453-0349, ext. 215, [email protected]

Cordingley Room, 301 2nd Ave North, Great Falls, MT, 59401-3612, United States

Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

The Library will celebrate its volunteers with a free luncheon and as a way to say “Thank you for spending so much time with us!” Join us for an appreciation luncheon, and then stay to help decorate for our new Love Your Library campaign. Must be a current GFPL Voluntee......More

The Library will celebrate its volunteers with a free luncheon and as a way to say “Thank you for spending so much time with us!” Join us for an appreciation luncheon, and then stay to help decorate for our new Love Your Library campaign. Must be a current GFPL Volunteer to attend this event. RSVP to Sarah Cawley at [email protected] or at 406-453-0349 ext. 209

Cordingley Room, 301 2nd Ave North, Great Falls, MT, 59401-3612, United States

Snacks & Stories - Dragons in a Bag

Audience: Ages 5-12 years and their families/caregiversWhat: Enjoy snacks and listen to library staff read a magical story about baby dragons, Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliot.  Kids are welcome to bring a blanket to get comfy while listening to the story. All events ar......More

Audience: Ages 5-12 years and their families/caregiversWhat: Enjoy snacks and listen to library staff read a magical story about baby dragons, Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliot.  Kids are welcome to bring a blanket to get comfy while listening to the story. All events are free and open to the public.  Groups are welcome! Questions? Please contact Youth Services Staff at (406)453-0349, ext. 215, [email protected]

Cordingley Room, 301 2nd Ave North, Great Falls, MT, 59401-3612, United States

Armchair Traveler Series with Cortney Reedy

What happens when you let the universe book your flight? Cortney Reedy didn’t dream about spontaneous travel she lived it. One ordinary day, she strolled into the Salt Lake City airport, walked up to the ticket counter, and said, “Surprise me.” No plan. No destination. ......More

What happens when you let the universe book your flight? Cortney Reedy didn’t dream about spontaneous travel she lived it. One ordinary day, she strolled into the Salt Lake City airport, walked up to the ticket counter, and said, “Surprise me.” No plan. No destination. Just vibes. With limited time and money but unlimited curiosity, Cortney boarded the first flight out because why not let fate be your travel agent? Join Cortney as she recounts her unscripted adventure.

Cordingley Room, 301 2nd Ave North, Great Falls, MT, 59401-3612, United States

Open Books With Penny for January

Penny leads a FREE book club discussion of The Golem and the Jinni by Helena Wicker.

3rd Floor Montana Room, 301 2nd Ave North, Great Falls, MT, 59401-3612, United States

Toddler Time for January

Audience: Ages 1 ½ to 3 and their families/caregiversWhat: Toddlers and their families are invited to join us in the Cordingley Room (basement) to build early literacy skills with songs, movement, lap bounces, and a great story, followed by playtime. Questions? Please c......More

Audience: Ages 1 ½ to 3 and their families/caregiversWhat: Toddlers and their families are invited to join us in the Cordingley Room (basement) to build early literacy skills with songs, movement, lap bounces, and a great story, followed by playtime. Questions? Please contact Youth Services Staff: (406) 453-0349, ext. 215, [email protected]

Cordingley Room, 301 2nd Ave North, Great Falls, MT, 59401-3612, United States

Youth Writing Space for January

Audience: Ages 10 to 18What: Come and join our open writing space. Follow the weekly creative writing prompt, or work on your own projects! Snacks and a calm atmosphere will be provided. Questions? Please contact Youth Services Staff: (406) 453-0349, ext. 215, xlee@grea......More

Audience: Ages 10 to 18What: Come and join our open writing space. Follow the weekly creative writing prompt, or work on your own projects! Snacks and a calm atmosphere will be provided. Questions? Please contact Youth Services Staff: (406) 453-0349, ext. 215, [email protected]

Cordingley Room, 301 2nd Ave North, Great Falls, MT, 59401-3612, United States

Family Storytime - Polar Animals

Audience: Babies and kids 0 to 8 years and their families and caregiversWhere: Cordingley Room (basement)What: The family that reads together grows together!  Babies, kids and their families/caregivers are invited to learn and play at this fun, interactive event.  We wi......More

Audience: Babies and kids 0 to 8 years and their families and caregiversWhere: Cordingley Room (basement)What: The family that reads together grows together!  Babies, kids and their families/caregivers are invited to learn and play at this fun, interactive event.  We will build language and literacy skills with songs, music and a great story.  January’s theme is Polar Animals. Questions? Please contact Youth Services Staff at (406) 453-0349, ext. 215, [email protected]

Cordingley Room, 301 2nd Ave North, Great Falls, MT, 59401-3612, United States

DIY Stickers Week

Audience: Kids and Teens 0-18 and their families/caregiversWhere: Kids’ Place and Teen SceneWhat: Celebrate National Sticker Day on January 13 or another day during the week by creating your own stickers. There will be sticker creation stations in Kids’ Place and Teen S......More

Audience: Kids and Teens 0-18 and their families/caregiversWhere: Kids’ Place and Teen SceneWhat: Celebrate National Sticker Day on January 13 or another day during the week by creating your own stickers. There will be sticker creation stations in Kids’ Place and Teen Space for kids and teens to make and take their own stickers. Questions? Please contact Youth Services Staff: (406) 453-0349, ext. 215, [email protected]

Kid’s Place