The most commonly asked library related questions and their answers! Library Questions How do I sign up for a library card? In order to sign up for a library card, you will need to fill out an MCPL card application. You can find the printable form here, but it will need to be returned in person to have a card issued. You will also need a photo ID, and if the address you currently live at is different than the one on your ID, we will need proof of current address as well (a piece of mail, a bill, or a signed lease). If you are unable to find proof of address, we are able to issue temporary cards until it is verified. If you are a card collector or visiting from outside of the participating Partner's Sharing Group libraries, we are only able to issue cards with temporary status. How old do you have to be to get a library card? In order to receive a library card, you must be at least six years old or older. Children aged 13-17 should bring a photo or school ID as verification. Children under 13 are required to have a parent's or guardian's signature in order to receive a library card. Family cards are available for younger patrons and their parents. A photo ID from an adult and proof of address are required for a family card. What is the check-out limit? Newly registered MCPL users are on a three-month-long probationary borrowing limit of four items per person on the card. Once the probationary period is over, you will be able to borrow an unlimited number of items. What is my PIN and where do I find it? The PIN number for your library card is required to place holds online from other libraries or to connect to Libby. Upon being issued a card you should have been given a four digit code, or your PIN. If you are unable to locate your PIN you can call the Miles City Public Library and a staff member will give it to you. The PIN can be changed at any point on the Montana State Library website. How do I change my PIN? Your PIN can be changed at any point on the Montana State Library website. How do I know what I have checked out and when they are due? The Montana State Library website allows you to see your library activity and upcoming due dates upon registration. If you allow for text messages, you will be sent reminders via text about overdue items. All books are due four weeks after the date those items were borrowed. DVDs, CDs, electronic devices, and games are due after two weeks. Anything checked out from the Library of Things must be returned after seven days. You can locate the due date on the due date slip on the inside cover of your borrowed book. If you are still unsure about the due date, you can always call the Miles City Public Library or email a librarian for assistance. We do not currently charge for overdue items as long as they are returned in their original condition. What happens if I lose or damage a library item? Lost or damaged items should be reported to a staff member. The cost of the replacement for the item(s) is the fee for the lost or damaged item(s). Cash or checks may be used to pay these fines. We also accept replacement copies of the lost or damaged item(s) in leiu of money. If you have a lost or damaged item that you are unable to replace please contact the Miles City Public Library about your circumstance. After an extended period with no payment or patron contact, your account will be blocked. A blocked account will not be able to check out physical items in the library or the Partner's Sharing Group. A blocked account will also not be able to be used for Libby and Overdrive. What should I do if I believe I already returned a library item? If you believe you have already turned in an item that you are still getting reminders for, please contact the Miles City Public Library as soon as possible. What do I do if I can't find the item I'm looking for at the Miles City Public Library? The Miles City Public Library is included in the Montana State Library's Partner's Sharing Group. You can search this catalog of over 400,000 different titles from other Montana libraries. If you are still unable to find what you need, ask a librarian for assistance. My card is blocked. What happened? If your card is blocked then it is unable to be used to check out physical items or connect to virtual libraries like Libby. Cards can be blocked for a few reasons, one of them being lack of use. After two years of inactivity, your account will be removed from the library system. Cards can also be blocked due to prolonged unpaid damages or lost materials. Does the library accept donations? We are always grateful for the generosity of the community that has and will continue to support our mission in information accessibility for southeastern Montanans. By using your free library card you are already supporting your local library with every check out! If you are wanting to give back another way, there are plenty of ways to do so. We are more than happy to accept donations of books, movies, CDs, and audiobooks. All proceeds earned from the book sale table go directly back into the library. Read here to find other ways to give. Is the library currently hiring? If the Miles City Public Library is ever looking for new employees, openings will be posted through The City of Miles City's website. You can find a link to their hiring page here. Partner's Sharing Group Questions What is the Partner's Sharing Group? The Partner's Sharing Group is a collective shared catalog of Montana libraries with over 400,000 individual items. If the Miles City Public Library doesn't have what you need, you can check the Partner's Sharing Group catalog here. Once a hold is placed on an item from another library, it is sent to us to be dispersed to the patron with the next hold. Holds from the partner's catalog are available to all patrons after the initial three-month probationary period. Holds can be placed online with a library card or by a librarian over the phone and in person. Where do I locate the Partner's Sharing Group catalog? You can click here to see the catalog! How long do items from the Partner's Sharing Group take to arrive? The wait time for each item depends on the available copies, the number of holds on the item, and the distance of the available item. It may take many weeks for a popular item to come in or only days for less popular or widely available items. What do I do if I placed a hold from another library and can't pick it up? If you know you will not be able to retrieve a hold in time, please contact the Miles City Public Library so the item(s) can be sent back to the libraries they are housed in. What happens if I forgot to pick up a hold? It's important to contact a library staff member if you are unable to pick up a hold. The Miles City Public Library can house holds for eight days. After that period, the hold will be returned to its original library or to the next available holder. Patrons who continually place items on hold and neglect to pick them up may have their holding privileges revoked for thirty days. Patrons will be notified before their privileges are suspended. Why can't I place a hold from the Partner's Sharing Group? If your card is blocked, then it is unable to be used to check out Partner's Sharing Group items. Cards can be blocked for a few reasons, one of them being a lack of use. After two years of inactivity, your account will be removed from the library system. Cards can also be blocked due to prolonged unpaid damages or lost materials. If you did not pick up holds you placed repeatedly, you may have had Partner's Sharing Group privileges suspended. Please see our policy here for further info. Miles City Questions Where can I register to vote? You can register to vote with the Custer County Courthouse Election Administration. Click here to get a registration form to sign up to vote. You can check your voter registration status here. Which voting district am I in? See the map here to find your voting district. Where do I get a license, birth certificate, or state ID? You can obtain any forms of identification from the Custer County Courthouse MDV office. The courthouse is located across the street from the Miles City Public Library. Where can I get a document notarized? The Miles City Public Library is currently unable to notarize documents. The Custer County Courthouse Clerk and Recorder or Treasury offices will be able to notarize a document. Where is the courthouse/city hall located? Miles City City Hall is located at 17 S 8th St. The Custer County Courthouse is located across the street from the Miles City Public Library entrance at 1010 Main St. Technology Questions How do I open the internet? Locate and click on your web browser icon. (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) Wait for the browser to load. Type a search prompt in the address bar or search engine. Press "Enter" on your keyboard. Explore the internet by clicking links. How do I connect my library card to Libby? Libby has a very helpful step-by-step guide on how to connect your card to the Libby app. Click here to read more.

We are always grateful for the generosity of the community that has and will continue to support our mission in information accessibility for southeastern Montanans. By using your free library card you are already supporting your local library with every item borrowed! If however, you want to give back, there are plenty of ways to do so. Amazon Wishlist Our Amazon Wishlist is an easy and direct way to support the library Once an item is purchased off of the wishlist it will automatically ship to us for circulation Book Donations & Sale We gladly accept book donations We also accept CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, and occasionally stationary/craft supplies in good condition All of our book sale items are either donated by generous patrons or discarded library materials Donated items are not guaranteed to be placed in circulation (read more about our donation policies here) Community Collaboration Much of what we offer at the Miles City Public Library for programming and events, relies on the generously given time of community members If you would like to collaborate for future programming contact the library No event is too boring and no topic is too specific! Memorials & Monetary Donations We accept monetary donations but access to our collection is and always will be free You can find our donation form and donation policies here We are pleased to accept memorials and have four categories you or your loved ones may choose from for memorial purposes (Books, Children's, Projects, and Furnishings) The Miles City Public Library retains the right to purchase memorial items in each category to best suit our library's needs Merchandise You can now purchase t-shirts, sweatshirts, and tote bags to support the Miles City Public Library here or scan the QR code below Every item ordered benefits your local library

Please note applications must be printed, filled out, and returned to the library in person. We will not accept edited documents. These documents are also available at the Miles City Public Library's front desk. Event Calendar Download | September 2026 Library Card Application & New Patron Information Meeting Room Application & Policy Donation Policies & Form

Announcements & Reminders: Do you learn best by listening? Are you taking a looooong road trip? We have audiobooks for these common titles... just for you! Students... In activities? We know how far you travel! It’s a great time to listen! Parents... Is your child reading? Audio is a great way to connect with your child’s education! The Libby app is free to use! All you need is a library card. Learn about your brain with Lynsey Arthur and Jessica Klamm from the Montana Health Network with fun-filled activities. Join us at the library Friday, September 18 at 2:30 pm! Drop off for the Halloween Costume Swap begins September 1, 2026. Bring a costume and swap for a new one! All costumes must be clean and in good condition. A time for the swap will be announced at a later date! Children's Programming Calendar | September 2026 Links & Resources: Search Our Children's Collection Imagination Library Sign Up Storyline Online (free audiobooks)

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek Kim Michele Richardson Black Woods Blue Sky Eowyn Ivey The Blue Bar Damyanti Biswas Blue Helmet Edward H. Carpenter Culpability Bruce Holsinger The Defender Ana Huang A Demon's Guide To Wooing A Witch Sarah Hawley A Discovery of Witches Deborah Harkness Feels Like Far Linda Hasselstrom The Fifth Petal Brunonia Barry The Girl Who Drank The Moon Kelly Barnhill Homecoming Kate Morton The Island of Sea Women Lisa See The Life Impossible Matt Haig The Lucky One Nicholas Sparks The Mountain In The Sea Ray Nayler Music of Bees Eileen Garvin The Names of The Stars Pete Fromm The Nightingale Kristin Hannah The Other Mother Rachel M. Harper Remarkably Bright Creatures Shelby Van Pelt Say I Boo Morgan Spellman A Scanner Darkly Philip K. Dick The Secret Book Society Madeline Martin The Thing About Jellyfish Ali Benjamin Throne of Glass Sarah J. Maas Transcription Kate Atkinson The Vacationers Emma Straub Valiant Ambition Nathaniel Philbrick

Got some ideas for what you'd like your local library to be? Let us know your thoughts! Some of our more popular patron propositions include more crafting events, technology learning and assistance, and more general adult programming. Fill out our form with any requests you might have or fill out a suggestion slip in person at the Miles City Public Library.

June 1878 Mrs. Laura Zook arrives in Miles City, known then as Milestown, by river steamer. She attended school in Milestown, taught school in the Lame Deer region, now the Northern Cheyenne reservation, and served two terms as county superintendent of schools. Pictured: Downtown Miles City, Diamond R store, circa 1888. Source: Huffman, L. A. (Laton Alton), 1854-1931, Main Street, Miles City. (1888). Montana History Portal, accessed 10/02/2026, https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/72213 1902 Mrs. Laura Zook secures funding from the Andrew Carnegie Estate's public library fund. Pictured: Mrs. Laura Zook circa 1930-1944. Source: Unidentified photographer, [Laura Zook, Librarian]. (Between 1930-1944). Montana History Portal, accessed 10/02/2026, https://www.mtmemory.org/nodes/view/74154 1903 With funding for an all-new library secured, the Carnegie Library of Miles City finished constructing and was opened to the public for the first time. C. S. Haire, who designed the original Holy Rosary Hospital and Ursuline Convent building, was chosen as the designer for the Carnegie Library. Read more about the construction process! Pictured: The complete, original Carnegie Library of Miles City. June 10, 1941 Frank J. Jelinek, the former mayor of Miles City, issued a Proclamation in Appreciation to Laura Zook, marking June 10th as Mrs. Laura Zook Day. Pictured: Proclamation in Appreciation article issued in the Miles City Star for Mrs. Laura Zook for "her labors, and for her zealous devotion to her duties, and for her uniform courtesies extended to patrons and public alike." Source: Miles City Star 1945 Mildred Schlosser began working as the children's librarian. She is best remembered for her impact on the community, her kindness, and her original puppet show with handmade puppets that entertained kids through the 40s and 50s. Pictured: Photo of Mildred Schlosser, taken around 1950 at the Carnegie Library. Source: Jeanne S on Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/95728458/mildred_george-schlosser/photo#view-photo=76594124 1949 Former Head Librarian, Clare M. Smith, created the historic Montana Room, a room that still exists today, and is used to archive southeastern Montana's history and culture. Mrs. Smith was well known and remembered for her love of eastern Montana history. 1960s The Miles City Public Library went through its first major renovation. The stairs to the original building and the main entrance were removed to add space for the new expansion. The new entrance would be moved from Main Street to S. 10th Street, and the original counter would be brought down from where non-fiction and science fiction now reside, to the new building. Pictured: Photo of the modern day Miles City Public Library Building. You will notice the contrast between the old Carnegie Library building and the 1960s. 2000s Another major change came to the library with the construction of the new children's section, bringing the children out of the basement and onto the main floor. Wheelchair accessible bathrooms were also added in the hall to the children's section. 2025 It was an eventful year at the Miles City Public Library! One of our biggest goals and accomplishments was following the recent US public library trend of a Library of Things. Our collection currently includes some family board games, baking and cooking tools, and children's kits. We plan on expanding the items available in the Library of Things in the next year. Along with our new additions at the library, we made some necessary repairs and brought long-awaited updates to our historic building. The building was recarpeted, and the roof was fixed after it had been damaged. This year, our bookshelves became ADA-compliant officially for mobile accessibility. The rows are now set wider for a more welcoming and accommodating environment for all bodies and abilities. The Miles City Public Library partnered with the talented artists in the Custer County District High School Art Club to memorialize Miles City icon and the "father of modern vaccines", Maurice Hilleman. Read more about the life and legacy of Hilleman here. Pictured: The CCDHS Art Club's mural of hometown hero, Maurice Hilleman. Source: Isabel Spartz, MTN News, https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/making-a-mark-exploding-art-initiative-reimagines-downtown-miles-city 2026 In 2026, we're looking forward to making use of our recently awarded grant funding for renovations and programming to make our library more accessible and accommodating for our patrons. Check out our 2026 fiscal year annual report for more information.

Celebrate all things dog as we wind down the Summer season. Find our previous displays here! A Dog Called Kitty Bill Wallace Colter Rick Bass Grimmy: King of The Heap Mike Peters Love That Dog Sharon Creech Marley & Me David Frankel Old Yeller [Book | DVD] Fred Gipson | Robert Stevenson Oma and Bobo Amy Schwartz Rez Dogs Joseph Bruchac Seaman's Journal Patricia Reeder Eubank Sounder William H. Armstrong The Art of Racing In The Rain Garth Stein The Everything Dog Book Carlo DeVito The Dog Encyclopedia Ann Baggaley The Dogs of Bedlam Farm Jon Katz Where The Red Fern Grows [Book | DVD] Wilson Rawls | Norman Tokar See our entire catalog here!

You saved $777,012 by using your library instead of buying. Our success is because of you! Digital Loans- 19,906 Items Sent From MCPL- 16,065 Items Received From Other Libraries- 5,910 Total Items Borrowed- 33,046 Direct Grants Received- $59,425 Coming in Fiscal Year 2027: Family-friendly movie & TV streaming service Reduced hold times for audio and ebooks And so much more!

It was another successful annual Stuffy Sleepover at the MCPL! Chaos, shenanigans, and hijinx were expected. We weren't disappointed. Check out how your stuffies spent their night at the local library.

The most recent addition to the Miles City Public Library is the Library of Things. The Library of things is a small collection of objects beyond books and movies! Our collection currently includes cooking and baking utensils, board games, card games, and science kits. Our newest additions include a CD and DVD player. The Library of Things works similarly to how the regular library works. The borrowing time for these items is 7 days. All items must be returned in person to a librarian (not dropped in the book drop). All cooking utensils must be washed before being returned, and all items must be returned in a clean and working condition. Patrons are responsible for any and all damages to the items. Patrons are also responsible for lost items and the replacement fee for them. Patrons assume responsibility for any and all injuries resulting from the use of items from the Library of Things. Going forward, we are looking to expand the items available in the Library of Things. If you have a request for items or are looking to donate an item for the Library of Things, talk to a librarian. Ask a librarian about our current collection for more information or browse what we have available here! Baking & Cooking Board & Card Games Electronics Math & Science

Celebrate some of Miles City’s own authors! A Long Way From Anywhere: A History of Miles City, Montana- For Kids Robin Gerber Action Patch Caleb Leach Blooming Where You're Planted Mimi Meredith Covered Jackie Dighans Cowboys, Critters, & Conservationists Alan Charles Elsie Fox: Portrait of An Activist Karen Stevenson Fun with Mother Goose Shelley Freese Lizard Lying In The Sun Berniece Freschet Looking for Lynne John L. Moore Moose Baby Berniece Freschet Poems Mrs. J.W. Strevell Porcupine Baby Berniece Freschet Random Thoughts Chery Schaffner Porten Saints and Savages: Gender, Race, and Religion Johnnie Lockett Thomas Search John L. Moore The Second Book of Earl Wally Badgett Teeny-Tiny 123 Shelley Freese Teeny-Tiny ABC Shelley Freese They Called It Angela Keith and Margie Jones Holmlund The Transformative Power of Rural Collaboration Angela Mendoza The White Specter Caleb Leach