Hearst Free Library
🏢 Partners Sharing Group · Anaconda, Montana
Hearst Free Library
One of Montana's most storied community libraries, the Hearst Free Library opened on June 1, 1898, as a personal gift to Anaconda from Phoebe Hearst — wife of Senator George Hearst and mother of William Randolph Hearst. She stocked the Neoclassical brick building on Main Street with books and original artwork, envisioning it as a cultural center for the copper-mining city. The library has served Anaconda-Deer Lodge County for more than 125 years.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–5pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–6pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–4pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 401 Main Street, Anaconda, MT 59711
Phone: (406) 563-6932
Website: hearstfreelibrary.org
Plus Code: 85R942GW+QJ (Anaconda, MT)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Hearst Free Library
The Hearst Free Library stands at 401 Main Street in Anaconda, the seat of Deer Lodge County in western Montana. Phoebe Hearst donated the building and its founding collection in 1898, describing the classic library structure as "not its equal in Montana" at the time of its dedication. She maintained operational control until 1904, when she transferred stewardship to the City of Anaconda while continuing annual book donations. Today the library belongs to the Partners Sharing Group, a resource-sharing network of 24 libraries across western Montana, giving cardholders access to more than 400,000 titles with weekly courier deliveries. The local collection includes over 5,000 books, 800+ DVDs, local history materials, and yearbooks, supplemented by 20,000+ eBooks and audiobooks through MontanaLibrary2Go.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded June 1, 1898 — a personal gift to Anaconda from Phoebe Hearst, wife of Senator George Hearst and mother of media magnate William Randolph Hearst
- Neoclassical brick building on Main Street praised at its 1898 opening as having 'not its equal in Montana' for library architecture
- Partners Sharing Group member — 24-library western Montana network giving cardholders access to 400,000+ titles with weekly courier delivery
- Local history collection with Anaconda and Deer Lodge County materials, yearbooks, and local newspaper archives
- Free public computers, Wi-Fi, mobile hotspot checkout, scanning, and meeting space available to the community
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Hearst cardholders can download, stream, and research free through Montana's statewide and regional digital collections:
📚 Services
- Free public computers and Wi-Fi throughout the library
- Mobile hotspot checkout (take Wi-Fi home)
- Free scanning (up to 30 pages); printing 20¢ B&W, 60¢ color; faxing $1–$5
- Partners Sharing Group interlibrary loan — 400,000+ titles from 24 western Montana libraries
- Local history collection: Anaconda/Deer Lodge County yearbooks, historic newspapers, genealogy materials
- Anaconda Adult Learning Center (HiSET prep, basic skills, resume help — funded by MT OPI)
- Community meeting room and board game/puzzle lending
🎸 Programs
- Adult learning and HiSET exam preparation through Anaconda Adult Learning Center
- Tutor.com access for online tutoring (students and job seekers)
- Summer reading program for children and families
- Community events and programming throughout the year
- EdReady Montana math and reading readiness for adults
📍 Nearby Libraries in Western Montana
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who donated the Hearst Free Library and why?
Phoebe Hearst — wife of U.S. Senator George Hearst and mother of publisher William Randolph Hearst — donated the library as a personal gift to Anaconda's citizens, opening it on June 1, 1898. She held a deep affection for the copper-mining city and stocked the building not only with books but with original artwork, envisioning it as a cultural center. She kept operational control until 1904, then transferred stewardship to the City of Anaconda while continuing annual book donations.
What is the Partners Sharing Group that the Hearst Free Library belongs to?
The Partners Sharing Group is a resource-sharing network of 24 public libraries across western Montana. As a member, Hearst Free Library cardholders can request books, DVDs, audiobooks, and more from any of the partner libraries, with materials typically delivered within a week via weekly courier runs — giving a small-town library the reach of a much larger system.
Does the Hearst Free Library offer any digital resources or eBooks?
Yes. Cardholders get free access to MontanaLibrary2Go (Montana's statewide Libby/OverDrive platform) with over 20,000 eBooks and audiobooks, plus Tutor.com for 24/7 online tutoring and EdReady Montana for math and reading readiness. The library also provides free public computers, Wi-Fi, and mobile hotspot checkout.
Is the library open on weekends?
The library is open Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and closed Sunday. On weekdays, hours are Monday and Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Tuesday through Thursday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🧰 This library lends a “Library of Things.” See what you can borrow besides books and find other libraries with a Library of Things Library of Things by state.
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