Adults

Our Library Calendar: Now you can check out our programs, register for events, and even request a meeting room reservation, all in one spot.  


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Friday Night Fun Returns!

Join us for weekly programs throughout the school year.  There's sure to be something for everyone in your family!

All programs begin at 6:00 pm in the Community Room unless otherwise noted. September's events include:

  • Sept. 30th: Audubon Bat Walk.  (off-site)
  • Oct. 14th: Game Night! (Children's Craft Corner, 5:00 - 7:00 pm)
  • Oct. 28th: Teddy Bear (and friends) Sleepover. (Children's Story Tower, 6:00 pm)

Upcoming Programs for Adults


One Book BillingsOne Book Billings

The 2022-2023 season has begun. 

Sponsored by a grant from Bernard Rose through the Billings Public Library Foundation, the One Book Billings program seeks to provide a forum for library patrons to read and discuss in small groups regional authors and/or literary works which examine and reflect life on the High Plains, especially Montana. Discussion groups come together five times a year (every other month from September to May), each discussing the same book.

In November we are reading The Grizzly in the Driveway by Robert Chaney. Books and Discussion signups will be available beginning October 1st.

Click here for our upcoming schedule!

Jerry Barlow, Celtic Guitarist September 27thJerry Barlow

Celtic Guitarist and Storyteller

Sept. 27th. (6:00 pm, Community Room): The Billings Public Library is pleased to once again welcome acclaimed Celtic guitarist and storyteller Jerry Barlow for a special concert. As a touring performer, Barlow travels throughout the Midwest, South and Rocky Mountain regions presenting his program of music, history, and humor from the British Isles. He recently spent several weeks in Cape Breton, NS, where he learned a smattering of Gaelic and marveled at the history of the Great Clans, ultimately adding some Cape Breton-style step-dance music to his program! Barlow’s repertoire features music and stories from the medieval time of Scottish, Irish and English history – a time filled with wonderful legend and lore. There will be ample opportunity for some toe-tapping, some sing-along and even some step-dancing if you are so inclined.

Sculpting with Louis Habeck Sept 29 at 6pmartXbpl Brings Art Demonstrations to BPL


Sept. 29th (6:00 pm, Community Room): Louis Habeck.  Billings-based artist Louis Habeck will demonstrate his innovative sculpting techniques.  Whether through painting or sculpture, Habeck prerfers to depict peculiar, melancholy creatures, investigating the dark transitional times in their lives.  See his work here!

NaNoWriMo Prep, Oct. 5th at 6pm
NaNoWriMo Prep, Oct. 12 at 6pm
NaNoWriMo Prep, Oct. 19 at 6pm

NaNoWriMo Prep!


NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month, and takes place each November.  Participants write 50,000 words over the course of the month, and BPL is partnering with local authors to get our community WriMos prepped for the challenge with a series of workshops.

  • Oct. 5th (6:00 pm, Community Room): Craig Lancaster & Elisa Lorello, "Setting and Managing Expectations".  Are you considering taking part in National Novel Writing Month? Committed? Not yet sure? Billings authors Elisa Lorello (Faking It, the upcoming All of You) and Craig Lancaster (600 Hours of Edward, And It Will Be a Beautiful Life) will share their tips, strategies, pros, and cons as the annual writing marathon approaches. Lorello, the author of more than a dozen books, including international bestsellers, is a seasoned participant in the event and often uses it as a laboratory for her projects. Lancaster is a one-and-done NaNoWriMo participant. He wrote the entirety of his debut novel, 600 Hours of Edward, during the 2008 event, and it went on to win a High Plains Book Award and become an international bestseller.
  • Oct. 12th (6:00 pm, Yellowstone Board Room): Virginia Duke, "Crafting Compelling Characters". Compelling characters are essential to any story, whether you write a slow-burn character-driven novel, a cozy mystery, or Volume I of your epic fantasy series (especially if you envision a series!). Billings writer Virginia Duke (represented by Liz Parker, Verve Talent & Literary) will help you prepare for the first draft of your novel by covering the essential elements of a compelling character and what you do--and don't!--need to know about 'em to get started. Bring your writing tool(s) of choice; you'll walk away with strategies and the rough outline of one character. 
  • Oct. 19th (6:00 pm, Community Room): Danell Jones, "Writing Great Dialogue". Hone your writing skills in preparation of November’s NaNoWriMo challenge with local author, Danell Jones, in a hands-on workshop focusing on all things dialogue. Danell Jones is the author of An African in Imperial London: The Indomitable Life of A.B.C. Merriman-Labor, and brings over 30 years of writing and teaching experience. This program is the final session in our October NaNoWriMo Prep series, but check back in November for weekly write-ins! REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for this workshop.  Please go to the Library Calendar to register.
Ring of Power

But is It Tolkien?: The Rings of Power Series, the Text, and the Fans

Thursday, October 20th, 6:30pm, Community Room

Join Daniel Funderhide, President of The Council of Westmarch, as he discusses the enormously popular (and divisive) Amazon series, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, based on the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien, which has garnered much strong reaction, both positive and negative, as well as confusion.  The talk will explore the series' themes and intentions, relation to Tolkien works, and fan reaction.  There will be opportunity to ask questions after the lecture, as well as a bit of trivia for a prize!

Oct. 22nAuthor Tim Lehman Oct 22 2pmd: Tim Lehman (2:00 pm, Community Room).  Join us for an author event featuring Tim Lehman. He is the author of two books, Public Values, Private Lands: American Farmland Preservation Policy, 1933-1985 (University of North Carolina Press, 1995) and Bloodshed at Little Bighorn: Sitting Bull, Custer, and the Destinies of Nations (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2010). He has also published articles and numerous reviews in professional and popular journals.

Quarter 3 Badge Great Billings Book Hunt 2022The Great Billings Book Hunt 2022

We are back with a third year of reading, challenges, and prizes!   Monthly activities encourage you to search for titles outside your comfort zone. Log your books and complete our challenges, and you might even win a prize. 

September Challenge: Banned Books. The American Library Association recognizes Banned Books Week during the last week of September, and we challenge you to take part as well!  This month, read a book from one of the ALA's yearly lists and then tell us what you think.  We hope by the end of the month, you'll proudly say, "I read banned books!"

Complete the mission by telling us about what you read to earn a badge for Quarter 3. This challenge will be open from September 1st - 30th.


Sign up here! 

Screenshot 2022-05-05 112520 thumbNintendo Switch Games are Now Available for Checkout!

We are pleased to announce that Nintendo Switch video games are now available for checkout at the library! Games are limited to two (2) games per patron, and will be checked out for 14 days. We have an assortment of DVDs and books related to video game history and culture available, as well, so feel free to check out some fun, informative companion materials!

The initial rush went better than expected! More games have been ordered and should be available in the near future!

Games can now be placed on hold but are not renewable. Games will accrue $1/day in late fines to a maximum of $10. Games must be checked out at the 2nd-floor Reference desk.

Click here to view our full Nintendo Switch games collection!

Library Book Groups!


The Library sponsors book discussion groups which are sure to whet your appetite for something different:

Turning Page Book Discussion Group


Our next discussion will be on Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead on Wednesday, September 28th, at 6:30 pm in the 2nd floor Yellowstone Board Room. Please email us for more information.

LitCentric Book Discussion Group

 
We meet the last Tuesday of the month, January through October.  We're currently reading Lentil Underground: Renegade Farmers and the Future of Food by Liz Carlisle and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley for our discussion on October 25th, at 7:00 pm via Zoom.  Email us to sign up!

Billings Bookmarks:  An Online Book Group

We want to talk with you about what you’re reading! As part of The Billings Bookmarks, you can share thoughts about your current reads, connect with fellow Billings readers, and have some fun. 

Come to our Facebook Group Page for more information.  


Looking for your Next Favorite Book or Movie? 

Visit our Readers' Corner to find out what members of our Library Staff are reading and watching.  You will see what we are excited about, and can join in the conversation!  To learn about the latest hot titles, check out Book Sizzle.  Then come back next week;  we update these pages regularly!

Online Resources

Woman using tablet computer Opens in new windowDiscover our online resources!  You can check out e-books, magazines, and audiobooks, take a class, learn a new language, stream your favorite music and much more. Try it out today!

Don’t forget to check out our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds - BPL will also be posting links to other great sites that have other ways to educate, entertain and distract you!

Online Programs and Resources