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Montana Library Network News

This biweekly digest consolidates and archives events and news from various library directed outreach from the Montana Library Network within the Montana State Library.

In this Issue

• Notice for the 2025 Excellent Library Service Award
• 2/13/25 MLN Virtual Programming presents: Western Montana's Restricted Districts 1870-1940
• Historical Picture Prompt Short Story Contest
• Historical Picture Prompt Writing Contest Collection Updated
• Other News
• Upcoming Events
• Did You Know? - The Montana State Library publishes a trove of newsletters

Notice for the 2025 Excellent Library Service Award

2/13/25 MLN Virtual Programming presents: Western Montana's Restricted Districts 1870-1940

This program will dive into the rich history of the restricted--red light--districts in Missoula and Hamilton, spanning between the region's earliest red-light settlement in 1870 through the deaths of the original founders in the early 1940s. Throughout the talk, we will look at the influence these ostracized communities had on the socio-cultural development of the Western Montana region, particularly in the Bitterroot Valley, as well as the interconnected relationships shared between the varying districts that provided the foundation for survival in the American West. Additionally, we will also look into the lives of some of the districts' key members such as Clara and Henry Smith, Frank Gray, Tish Nevins, Sam Tom, and Mary Gleim. This lecture will take a deep dive into the region's demographics at the turn of the 20th century as well as showcase just how these forgotten Montanans paved the way for our society today. Register to attend this program (https://mt-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pdGMFAyFRUKS_gJzvp-kkA#/registration)      
Are you considering this program for a watch party at your library? Contact Bobbi deMontigny for printable bookmarks, posters and a social media invitation to cohost!  

Historical Picture Prompt Short Story Contest

Are you working on your story? The Montana History Portal 5th Annual Historical Picture Prompt contest is open. Using any photo in the Portal collection as a story prompt participants will write a fictional short story (650 words or less) and enter through our submission form.
Winners will be chosen from grades 3-6, grades 7-12, and adult. The deadline to enter is February 21, 2025. 

Historical Picture Prompt Writing Contest Collection Updated

Catch up on the collection of the past first and second place finishers of the Annual Historical Picture Prompt Writing Contest. This collection has recently been updated with the 2024 first and second place entries.

Read all the entries here.

In Other News

MHP has NEW collections

01/17/2025

MSL Trustee Newsletter - January 2025

01/14/2025 09:55 AM MST

Montana Geospatial Information Advisory Council to Meet

01/13/2025

Montana Shared Catalog Updates - 1/13/2025

01/13/2025 01:36 PM MST

Lifelong Learning newsletter 1/7/25

01/07/2025 03:18 PM MST

2025 Historical Picture Prompt Short Story Contest

01/06/2025 08:24 AM MST

2025 Historical Picture Prompt Short Story Contest

01/03/2025 10:25 AM MST

MSC Problem Discards - 1/2/2025

01/02/2025 01:56 PM MST

Events Calendar

Did you Know?

That the Montana State Library publishes a wide variety of newsletters which are all available on our news page. If you prefer receiving email notifications for specific topics, you can sign up for those too! Follow this link to sign up for specific topics. The Montana State Library (MSL) offers updates on topics from our Talking Books Library, Continuing Education, Natural Resources Information, GIS, and much more. Sign up for any combination of these to stay up to date on all manner of MSL programs.

 Visit the MSL News feed to see all newsletters.