Sidney's first Library in the basement of the Yellowstone Mercantile building on Central Avenue, formed by the Woman's Club in 1914.
The Woman’s Club developed Sidney’s first library. It first grew out of a study group and members operated it out of the basement of the Yellowstone Mercantile building on Central Avenue starting in 1914. They volunteered their time to staff the library and stocked it with donated books from the community. As the popularity of the library grew, the Woman’s Club recognized the need for more resources to meet the community’s needs. They approached the City of Sidney to take over operation of the library, and the city council approved their request, appointing a library board that included a member of the Woman’s Club. As the library grew, it changed locations multiple times, first moving to the Richland Bank Annex and later to other larger spaces. Faced with a budget crunch in the mid-twentieth century, the Woman’s Club again proved instrumental by helping to transform the library into its current form as a city-county library.
Our History
The Sidney-Richland County Library had its first home in the basement of the Yellowstone Mercantile building. Mrs. Earl Verco checked out the first book to the public in 1914. The ladies of the Sidney Women's Club formed a study club and from this group the idea was born to donate books and start a library. When the venture proved successful the group urged the City Council to take over the responsibility, which they did.
Through the years the library struggled with a very low budget. Eventually, the Women's Club again went into action and circulated a petition to make it a city-county library. This move was approved and it became the Sidney-Richland County Library, financed by city and county taxes. It is still financed in this manner.
The library has had several homes. The present building was completed in 1966. In the past, the library housed the Civil Defense rooms, a meeting room, and offices. The building is owned by Richland County.
In 1985, the commissioners realized the need for expansion and worked with the library and Montana State Library to apply for an LSCA building grant of $61,000, which was approved. Richland County supplied the matching funds for the addition that is now the front entry to the building.
In 2020, a $1.75 million complete renovation of the building doubled the library space, opening up the lower level of the building. The renovation allowed for a dedicated story time space downstairs, classroom space for library programs and events, a Montana History Room on the upper level, an elevator, and all-new restrooms on the main and lower levels. The renovation also made it possible for patrons to check out from any of 5 dedicated check-out stations. A huge new parking lot in the back, along with new parking on all sides of the building, increased convenient access to the building for all patrons.
An endowment fund has been established for contributions to the library. These gifts are tax deductible. For more information, please visit the Richland County Public Libraries Foundation.
Through the years the library struggled with a very low budget. Eventually, the Women's Club again went into action and circulated a petition to make it a city-county library. This move was approved and it became the Sidney-Richland County Library, financed by city and county taxes. It is still financed in this manner.
The library has had several homes. The present building was completed in 1966. In the past, the library housed the Civil Defense rooms, a meeting room, and offices. The building is owned by Richland County.
In 1985, the commissioners realized the need for expansion and worked with the library and Montana State Library to apply for an LSCA building grant of $61,000, which was approved. Richland County supplied the matching funds for the addition that is now the front entry to the building.
In 2020, a $1.75 million complete renovation of the building doubled the library space, opening up the lower level of the building. The renovation allowed for a dedicated story time space downstairs, classroom space for library programs and events, a Montana History Room on the upper level, an elevator, and all-new restrooms on the main and lower levels. The renovation also made it possible for patrons to check out from any of 5 dedicated check-out stations. A huge new parking lot in the back, along with new parking on all sides of the building, increased convenient access to the building for all patrons.
An endowment fund has been established for contributions to the library. These gifts are tax deductible. For more information, please visit the Richland County Public Libraries Foundation.
LocationSidney-Richland County Library
121 3rd Avenue NW Sidney, MT 59270 (406) 433-1917 Fax: (406) 433-4642 |
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