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This an email newsletter about lifelong learning opportunities from the Montana State Library.
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Early Literacy Activities
Track your reading with Beanstack
Parent Powered Texting Program
Books Before Bedtime
All ages - How many books can you read before November 30th?
Summer reading! CLSP manual update and a sneak peek at the art!
MLN Virtual Programming 2025/2026 line up
SDOH Corner
America250 Grant application is available
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1,000 Books before Kindergarten!
Ongoing Challenge ages 0-5
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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Registration for the October program is full!
We are signing families up for the November 4th reading of LMNOPEAS by Keith Baker. Our reader is Erin Helms, Outreach Coordinator at the Great Falls Public Library.
Families who sign up before October 15th will receive the book, crayons, a doodle pad, a snack, stickers, bookmarks and a coloring sheet shipped right to their door. Supplies are limited. If we run out we will shuffle everyone who couldn't get one to the top of the list for the December 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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Fall Into Reading 2025
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 CSLP let us know that the access codes for the new manual are coming out between now and mid October. If you plan to use the CSLP manual for your summer reading plans please fill out this form.
They gave us a sneak peek. Look at these fun friends!
It will be so much fun to see what Montana libraries do with this theme.
The program kick off was well attended and we are excited to share a full line up of speakers for the 2025/2026 season. Our next program will be all about pollinators for Bat Week 2025!
Click anywhere on the image below to visit the landing page and register for the programs you would like to attend! Interested in becoming a cohost? Let us know!
Libraries Partnering with Public Health – Check it out
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Happy Fall!
Hoping you’ve all had successful summer programs for youth and families.
We have two great tips for you this month. First, researchers at the L.S. Skaggs Institute for Health Innovation (SIHI) at U of M are conducting a short survey to better understand people’s access to healthcare and technology and community attitudes toward digital health interventions. The survey is brief, about 10–15 minutes. The online survey is due Oct 30th. Participants can also request a print survey (due Oct 15th) by reaching out to haley.cote@umontana.edu. Montana libraries have been actively implementing digital technology, and your input will be helpful.
Our second tip is about the importance of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in libraries. In addition to possibly saving a life, the presence of AEDs and trained staff builds trust and confidence in libraries. AEDs may be acquired through partnerships, grants, or state initiatives to enhance community safety. Consider the possibility and stay alert for possible funding opportunities that will allow you to acquire an AED.
Margaret Mullins SDOH Program Manager
The Montana 250 Grant Program will award between $5,000 and $50,000 per grant totaling up to $400,000 for organizations across the state working to deepen understanding of Montana’s culture and heritage, as well as projects related to civic involvement and broader public engagement with American, Montanan, and Tribal history in connection with the nation's semiquincentennial. You can read the full press release announcement
To learn more about this funding opportunity you are invited to an informational webinar with Q&A on Wednesday, October 9 at noon. This webinar will be recorded and posted to the grant resources section on the Montana 250 website. Please register in advance for this webinar (registration is required)
Visit the Montana 250 website to view and download the grant program guidelines, scoring criteria, application and budget template.
To apply: Montana 250 Grant Program Application
Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2025
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