Missoula Public Library
🏢 Missoula Public Library · Missoula, Montana
Missoula Public Library
Missoula Public Library is Montana's crown jewel of public librarianship — honored as the IFLA Public Library of the Year and World's Best Library at the 2022 World Library and Information Congress, with a stunning new 42,241-square-foot downtown building that opened in 2021.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9 AM – 8 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM – 8 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM – 8 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM – 6 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM – 6 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM – 6 PM |
| Sunday | 12 PM – 5 PM |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 455 E MAIN ST, MISSOULA, MT 59802
Phone: +1 406-721-2665
Website: missoulapubliclibrary.org
Plus Code: 85R8V2C5+2J (MISSOULA, 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 Missoula Public Library
Missoula Public Library was established in 1894. Its first purpose-built home, a Carnegie Library at 335 N. Pattee Street, opened January 13, 1903, and now houses the Missoula Art Museum. The current building at 455 E. Main Street — 42,241 square feet completed in 2021 — earned recognition as Best New Library 2022 by MSR Design and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) designation of Public Library of the Year 2022, making it the World's Best Library at that year's World Library and Information Congress. The building incorporates Indigenous cultural connections, sustainability features, and houses a cafe, a retail shop, a community television production studio, a MakerSpace, a Demonstration Kitchen, and the Audra Browman Research Room. The library also operates six branch locations across Missoula County, a bookmobile, and serves as a Regional Depository Library for Montana. The statewide MontanaLibrary2Go platform gives cardholders access to thousands of eBooks, eAudiobooks, and digital magazines through the Libby app.
⭐ What makes this library special
- IFLA Public Library of the Year 2022 — World's Best Library at the World Library and Information Congress
- New 42,241-sq-ft building opened 2021, incorporating Indigenous culture and sustainability features
- Carnegie roots: first purpose-built library opened January 13, 1903 (now the Missoula Art Museum)
- MakerSpace, Demonstration Kitchen, and community TV production studio on-site
- Regional Depository Library for Montana with the Audra Browman Research Room and Five Valleys Seed Library
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Your free Missoula Public Library card unlocks eBooks, eAudiobooks, and digital magazines through MontanaLibrary2Go and the Libby app.
📚 Services
- Public computers (20+ stations) and free Wi-Fi
- Passport application services
- Free notary public (call 406-721-2665)
- Exam proctoring (free, by reservation)
- MakerSpace
- Demonstration Kitchen
- Community television production studio
- Genealogy research assistance and one-on-one appointments
- Accessibility services
- Library of Things borrowable items
- Five Valleys Seed Library
- Meeting and study room reservations
- Personalized reading recommendations
- Curbside service (by advance request)
🎸 Programs
- Youth digital collections and children's programming
- Adult and youth ongoing program calendar
- Genealogy workshops and one-on-one research help
- Community events and cultural programming
- Summer Reading Program for all ages
- Bookmobile outreach to Missoula County
📍 Nearby Libraries in Western Montana
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What award did Missoula Public Library win in 2022?
The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) named Missoula Public Library the Public Library of the Year 2022 — an honor that also carries the designation of World's Best Library at that year's World Library and Information Congress. The new building at 455 E. Main Street, completed in 2021, was also named Best New Library 2022 by MSR Design.
Does Missoula Public Library offer passport services?
Yes. The library provides passport application assistance at 455 E. Main Street. Staff can help you complete your application, review documents, and take passport photos. Call 406-721-2665 to confirm current availability and any appointment requirements.
How can I borrow eBooks and audiobooks with my Missoula library card?
Download the free Libby app and sign in with your Missoula Public Library card to access MontanaLibrary2Go — Montana's statewide digital collection of thousands of eBooks, eAudiobooks, and digital magazines. The service is free for all cardholders.
What is the MakerSpace at the downtown library?
The MakerSpace at Missoula Public Library is a creative workspace where patrons can access tools and equipment for making, designing, and building. The library also features a Demonstration Kitchen for culinary programming and a community television production studio — reflecting the building's design as a hub for creativity and community connection.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services by state.
📜 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.
🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.
📚 This library has study rooms. See how library study rooms work — booking, time limits and quiet vs group rooms — and find other libraries with study rooms libraries with study rooms by state.
🌱 This library has a seed library. See how library seed libraries work — borrow free seeds, grow them, and save some to return — and find other libraries with a seed library seed libraries by state.
🛂 This library offers U.S. passport services. See how library passport acceptance works — requirements, fees and appointments — and find other passport acceptance libraries by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
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