Belgrade board welcomes new library director and hears programming, building updates

The Belgrade Library Advisory Board on Wednesday introduced Alina as the library’s new director and received reports on staffing, programming and the new library building’s progress.

Alina, who said she has worked in public, private and archival libraries and has experience with preservation and presidential archives, told the board she was “very much looking forward to the development” of the new library. Board chair Cynthia Cheney welcomed her and noted the board’s role in the director selection process.

Staff introductions that followed included Liz Johnson, the library’s adult services librarian. “My name is Liz, Liz Johnson. I’ve been working at the Belgrade Library for over 3 years now,” she said, describing adult programming she oversees — from OLLI at MSU talks and monthly crafternoons to marketing, adult reading programs and the One Book Belgrade series. This year’s selection is Bozeman author Kim McCollum’s What Happens in Montana; Johnson said the committee is providing a road‑trip packet tying themes in the novel to Montana places and planning author and book‑club events.

John Engle, introduced by staff as the library aide, summarized his duties in circulation and building support. “My position is library aide,” he said, adding that the new building will provide much‑needed space for patrons.

The board then heard the library’s annual programming report, which showed growth in activity: the presenter said the system has “over 4,000 card holders” in a city of about 13,000 and listed 471 programs for the year. The report noted heavy use of an interlibrary‑loan courier service (12,945 items received via courier), successful community events such as a fix‑it clinic (28 people helped, 300 pounds diverted from landfill), and high attendance at seasonal programs. Board members suggested highlighting courier and circulation numbers in the newsletter so patrons better understand the library’s resource access.

On city business, an official updating the board said the new library is within weeks of a legal milestone called substantial completion and that staff are arranging moving logistics and final outside work. He said, “We have about 1,000,000 gallons. We need about 3, 3 and a half million gallons in addition,” when describing municipal water‑storage needs tied to growth. The official estimated the new library could open in the middle of the first quarter of 2025 if final work and systems set‑up proceed on schedule.

Routine board business included approving prior joint‑meeting minutes by voice vote and excusing absent member Scott Mullen because he was ill. The meeting closed after confirming upcoming foundation and board meeting dates.

The board listed volunteer appreciation as an ongoing item: staff said the foundation now leads the annual volunteer dinner but the board discussed alternatives such as personalized thank‑you cards if a year‑end event isn’t feasible.