Bridger Public Library
🏢 South Central Library Federation · Bridger, Montana
Bridger Public Library
Bridger Public Library is the community library of Bridger, a Carbon County ranching town at the foot of the Beartooth Mountains named after mountain man Jim Bridger — open four days a week and a member of Montana's South Central Library Federation.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–5pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–5pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–5pm |
| Thursday | 10am–5pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 119 West Broadway Avenue, BRIDGER, MT 59014
Phone: (406) 662-3598
Website: bridgerpubliclibrary.org
Plus Code: 85QH73WM+7R (BRIDGER, MT)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Bridger Public Library
Bridger Public Library serves the town of Bridger (population approximately 662, 2020 census) in Carbon County, in south-central Montana. The community was named after the legendary mountain man and frontiersman Jim Bridger by early settler George 'Daddy' Town, who was a personal friend. The Northern Pacific Railway extended a branch line through Bridger in 1898, spurring growth that made Bridger the second-largest city in Carbon County. Today the library at 119 West Broadway Avenue serves both the town and the surrounding ranching and farming communities of Carbon County, providing book lending, public computers, and digital resources as part of the South Central Library Federation — a Montana state federation formed in 1966 that coordinates resource sharing among libraries in the region including Big Timber, Red Lodge, and Hardin. Through MontanaLibrary2Go, every Bridger cardholder can borrow eBooks and audiobooks from a collection of roughly 50,000 titles at no charge. The library's mission emphasizes community connection, lifelong learning, and access to information in a rural setting close to the Beartooth Range.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Named for the town of Bridger, which honors mountain man Jim Bridger — named by his friend George 'Daddy' Town
- Located in Carbon County at the foot of the Beartooth Mountains, 39 miles south of Billings
- Member of Montana's South Central Library Federation, coordinating resources across south-central MT since 1966
- Access to MontanaLibrary2Go: ~50,000 eBooks, audiobooks & digital magazines via OverDrive
- Shared catalog through the Montana Shared Catalog (SirsiDynix)
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Bridger cardholders can borrow free digital titles through Montana's statewide digital programs:
📚 Services
- Book, audiobook and magazine lending
- Public computers & internet access
- MontanaLibrary2Go digital borrowing (eBooks & audiobooks)
- Interlibrary loan through South Central Library Federation
- Reference assistance
- Montana Shared Catalog for cross-library holds
🎸 Programs
- Children's and youth programming
- Summer reading program
- Community events and outreach
📍 Nearby Libraries in Carbon County & Southern Montana
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How is Bridger Public Library connected to mountain man Jim Bridger?
The town of Bridger was named in honor of Jim Bridger, the famous fur trapper and frontier guide, by early settler George 'Daddy' Town, who was a personal friend of Bridger's. The library takes its name from the town, so every visit is a small nod to one of the American West's most celebrated mountain men.
What days is Bridger Public Library open?
The library is open Monday through Thursday, 10 am to 5 pm. It is closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For after-hours reading, cardholders can borrow eBooks and audiobooks any time through MontanaLibrary2Go on the Libby app.
What is MontanaLibrary2Go and how do I use it?
MontanaLibrary2Go is Montana's statewide digital lending program powered by OverDrive. It gives Bridger cardholders access to roughly 50,000 eBooks, audiobooks and digital magazines — free with your library card. Download the Libby app, select Bridger Public Library, and enter your card number to get started.
Can I request books from other Montana libraries through Bridger Public Library?
Yes. Bridger Public Library participates in the Montana Shared Catalog (SirsiDynix) and the South Central Library Federation's interlibrary loan program. Library staff can help you place a hold on materials from other participating Montana libraries.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
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