The Campaign for a New Bigfork Library

12/21/2021

We're thrilled to announce that the Campaign for a New Bigfork Library has reached the halfway mark, raising $800,000 toward our $1.6 million goal! Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of Bigfork donors, we're in the home stretch to complete Phase 2 of our fundraising, which ends when we reach $1.1M. That’s when we can begin the work of renovating the new facility we’ve already purchased.

Bigfork supporters should keep an eye on their mailboxes this week for a letter detailing the critical next steps to getting this new library funded, renovated, and opened.

08/23/2021

We regret that we'll be unable to hold our final Tuesday Tour tomorrow, August 24th. Thanks to all of you who joined us for tours this summer! It was inspiring to meet so many supporters and get so much thoughtful input on how the new facility will benefit folks in Bigfork.

08/06/2021

Are you curious about the plans for the New Bigfork Library? Would you like to take a tour of the future library site and meet some of the volunteers working tirelessly to raise the funds we need to renovate it? We have two dates for Tuesday Tours left this summer. Come meet us on Aug 17th or 24th. To attend, sign up on our site at https://www.imagineiflibraryfoundation.org/newbigforklibrary or contact [email protected] to schedule!

07/14/2021

Bigfork deserves a round of applause. We've raised more than $700,000 towards a new Bigfork Library thanks to the generosity and hard work of hundreds of donors and volunteers. We're nearly halfway to our goal, and that much closer to giving Bigfork a library facility where everyone has access to information, education, and life-long learning. Thank you!

07/09/2021

Exciting news! The Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork is offering a $50,000 match for all gifts made to the campaign between July 1st and September 30th. The CFBB works to improve Bigfork's infrastructure and cultural amenities, and we are so grateful that they see the New Bigfork Library as a critical part of a thriving town. Generous donors have already snapped up $9,000 of this match, but there's still $41,000 of matching funds on the table, so make a gift today.

12/16/2020

Want to get a real sense for the possibilities in the New Bigfork Library? Check out this virtual tour, designed by Cushing Terrell, and explore the space from the comfort of home: https://www.imagineiflibraryfoundation.org/newbigforklibrary

06/29/2020

ImagineIF Bigfork is nominated for Best Customer Service in this year's Best of the Flathead! A lot of credit goes to Deidre McMullin who treats everyone who walks through ImagineIF's doors like a friend. When we envision our new Bigfork Library, Deidre's brand of customer service - wisdom, wit and a warm welcome for all - is right at the beating heart of it.

Vote for all your favorites in Best of Flathead 2020!

05/28/2020

Holds that have been waiting to be picked up since before March 15th will be expiring on June 1st!

Check your account at https://imagineiflibraries.org/ or give us a call at (406)758-5818 to find out if your holds are ready to pick up.

05/19/2020

It's wonderful to have our physical spaces back in action. Bigfork will be open Wed-Sat, 10-1pm, 10-11 for vulnerable populations.

We're opening our doors starting May 19th with new open hours! Enhanced safety measures are in place to protect the welfare of staff and customers. Patrons are encouraged to wear a mask, to swiftly find their materials and proceed to check out. Plus we're offering special hours designated for vulnerable populations to access the library.

Find out more about new open hours, curbside pickup times, and book return hours at: https://imagineiflibraries.org/updates/

01/14/2020

Great news! Flathead Electric Co-op has made a $25,000 grant to the Campaign for a New Bigfork Library!

Through a Community Education Grant, Flathead Electric Co-op has reinvested members’ unclaimed capital credit dollars back into the community to help fund the opening-day collection expansion for the new Bigfork library.

Retired capital credit checks are issued to current and former members of FEC each year. Despite the Co-op’s best efforts to find members, some of those checks go unclaimed. Once checks remain unclaimed for five or more years, Montana law requires FEC, as a member-owned, not-for-profit Cooperative, to either use that money for educational purposes in their service territory or allocate it to the state’s general fund.

We are so grateful to the Flathead Electric Co-op for this investment, which will have a positive and lasting impact on our community.

11/19/2019

An interesting article that details the many vital roles the modern library plays. We're excited to bring this kind of versatility to ImagineIF Bigfork with a purpose-built facility!

11/18/2019

Volunteers (We Get the Job Done)! Did you know there's already a good deal of sweat equity invested in the new Bigfork library? That's because last month a group of volunteers gave their whole Saturday to clearing brush and readying the building for winter. We are so grateful for people like Albert Logan, Frank Ashley, Doug Adams, Tom Snyder, Larry Godwin, and Jonathan Fetter-Vorm for the muscle. THIS, and so much more, is what it takes to build a great library!