About The Toole County Library
Humble Beginnings
A free public library in Shelby, Montana was the dream of the Shelby Business and Professional Women's Club in 1944. They then met with county commissioners that year resulting in a petition drive soon after. On March 5th 1945 they had collected over 300 signatures to petition the county to establish a free library. After securing a site in the basement of the J.W. Johnson office building, Toole County Library was open to the public in March of 1947 with Mrs. William Black appointed as the first county librarian. James W. Johnson would donate $75 a month toward rent for four years to promote the library.
A New Building
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In November 1954 Toole County taxpayers voted to use the surplus in the library fund to begin construction on a new facility. The result was the current building that Toole County Library calls home. The new building was formally opened September 9, 1954 with a large crowd attending the open house which was dedicated by then Commissioner Malvin Matteson.
A Historical Hub
A piece of Montana history would soon find its home in Toole County Library in 1960 when Vic Day and family, area residents and avid artifact hunters, donated their personal collection of several hundred Native American artifacts from across the country to the library. From pipes to arrowheads, the collection has drawn interest and intrigue from visitors for decades. Since then, many locals have donated their own findings to be displayed at the library including colonial currency and early historical artifacts from the founding of Shelby.
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Continued Development
In the following decades a number of renovations and updates have been made to the library building, including the iconic Oilmont bell which has made its home at Toole County Library since 1976. The bell was gifted to the Marias Museum of History and Art, which had temporarily been located in the library basement, to commemorate the United States bicentennial.
Modernization and Digital Resources
At present Toole County Library has boasted constant expansions to our text and digital resources and has had several expansions to internet access for the public. With these additions we've been able to share resources with libraries across the state and across the country to make information as easily accessible as possible. In addition, we are always coming up with new and fun ways to engage with our small community and enrich lives the best way we know how.
