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This an email newsletter about lifelong learning opportunities from the Montana State Library.
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Montana's Virtual Conference on Creative Aging
Early Literacy Activities
Program around Reading Goals and Badges with Beanstack
Parent Powered Texting Program
Books Before Bedtime
Summer reading! CLSP manual code is available
MLN Virtual Programming 2025/2026
Montana Talking Book Library
SDOH Corner
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Access details will be provided to registered attendees. Opportunities to take this as a course for CE Credit will be available after the conference to registered participants who complete required activities.
Wednesday December 10 and Thursday December 11th, 2025
Day 1 - December 10th, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- 9:00 AM Welcome & Introductions/Overview
- 10:00 AM Seed Project Showcase 1 / Seed Project Showcase 2
- 10:30 AM Break
- 10:45 AM Lifetime Arts Session
- 11:15 AM Guest Speaker/Panel
Day 2 - December 11, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- 9:00 AM Welcome & Day 1 reflections
- 9:15 AM Seed Project Showcase 3 / Seed Project Showcase 4 / Seed Project Showcase 5
- 10:00 AM Teaching Artist Breakout session ("speed dating") take breaks as needed
- 11:00 Guest Speaker/Panel
- 11:45 Wrap up
Please use this form to sign up for the virtual conference. Use the best email to receive your access links.
1,000 Books before Kindergarten!
Looking for ways to run a program around this reading challenge? Contact the lifelong learning librarian to discuss how to supplement your early literacy programs and story time with this tracker!
Reading helps build social and emotional skills, sparks creativity and imagination, promotes bonding, and helps kids do well overall in school. Take that motivation, open one book, and get started. And remember, 1000 is just a number. The goal is to work reading aloud into your regular routine, and let the magic of stories do the rest. Log each time you read a book to earn awesome badges. Happy reading!
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The texting program sends early literacy and learning tips along with fun activities to enrolled families with kids aged 0-4.
Visit The Early Learning section of the Lifelong Learning page to download a printable with space to add your own library logo to the bottom and make the texting program part of your collection of library services.
We are also working on getting the printed early literacy bookmarks out to all library locations and other places that serve families with kids under 5. These have reading tips on the back and instructions to help them sign up for the texting program.
We have gotten a lot of them out the door, but if you have not received your bookmarks yet (shown on the left) please reach out to the lifelong learning librarian to have them mailed to your library!
Want to sign up for the texting program to see what its all about? Text MSL to 70138
If you or the families you serve would rather enroll online do so here.
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January program: Online registration for the January program is full, but folks can still pick up a copy of The Quiet Forest and a program access code at the Lincoln County Library - Troy branch to participate on the evening of the 6th at 7:00.
February Program: We have started to sign families up for the February 3rd program. The book is Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle and Jill McElmurry - Read by Anika Risener, Library Director at Big Horn County Library. Patrons of the Big Horn County Library can pick up their copies right on site at the library!
Those who sign up online before January 7th will receive the book shipped right to their door.
Supplies are limited. When we run out of books we will shuffle everyone who couldn't get one to the top of the list for the March program. Anyone who lives in Montana and has a child under five can sign up! Any library can participate by sharing out information about the program.
Participating libraries:
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 If you plan to use the CSLP manual for your summer reading plans please fill out this form to receive your CSLP code.
Summer Reading Brainstorming Session 2: Thursday, February 5th, 2026 11:00 AM
We will be meeting to look over the art, talk about access, generate a list of possible prehistoric programming partners, and brainstorm all things dinosaurs for 2026! This theme is going to be so much fun! Make sure to request access to the manual so you have it in time for the discussion!
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Our next program will be on December 16th and it is all about Cyber Security and online shopping during the holidays, with Laura Haacke.
Click anywhere on the programming series line up below to visit the landing page and register for the programs you would like to attend! Interested in becoming a cohost? Let us know!
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Montana State Library Talking Books provides FREE reading materials in accessible formats to Montanans who are unable to use standard print materials due to visual, physical, and/or reading disabilities.
The library provides audio and Braille books and magazines. Materials are available for direct download or are sent through the US Postal Service. Librarians, did you know you can certify individuals for access to Talking Books?
For more information, please visit this link, or call (406)444-5352
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Libraries Partnering with Public Health – Check it out
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Happy Holidays to all our Montana libraries advancing health and wellness in their communities! Your dedication to providing user friendly, trustworthy health information makes a meaningful difference. This past year we’ve been working with MSL to build some virtual trunks. One provides info on wildfires and certain libraries modified as safe air quality locations – so important for people with asthma and other respiratory issues. Another provides information on health literacy. Yet another – a Chronic Disease Trunk – will be available soon with great resources for your patrons. Blood pressure toolkits are now in 25 libraries across the state. From guiding patrons to medical resources to supporting wellness programs, you show a commitment to access that helps support healthier, more informed communities. As the year closes, we’re proud to get to work with Montana’s libraries and look forward to all the good still to come. Wishing you peace, joy and a well-deserved season of rest.
Margaret Mullins SDOH Program Manager
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