The Big Sandy Library is celebrating National Library Week from April 7 to 13. "Libraries give us a green light to experience something special: a place to connect with others, learn new skills, and pursue our passions."

This month, they're excited to bring you a variety of events that foster community connections. Robotics are every Monday at 4:00, Story Time at 10:30 on Wednesdays, and Eating Smart Being Active at 12 pm. The Lego club on Friday at 11 am is a great opportunity for kids to socialize and have fun. We're also starting a Spice Club on the first Wednesday of every month, where you can share your love for cooking with fellow food enthusiasts. And don't forget our teen book club, meeting at 4:00 on the 11th and the 25th, a perfect place for young readers to discuss their favorite books.

This month's highlight of the Big Sandy Library is the finished Montana Room. Every copy of the Big Sandy Mountaineer that started in 1911 is bound and ready to be looked at. There was a short time during the war when they didn't publish the paper, and one year had passed since, but they are hoping it will still be found. There is new shelving with books about Montana. Tables are set up in the room to allow for investigating and reading. This room, in large part, is possible by funding from the Big Sandy Rotary.

The first public library in the U.S. is contested, but I read in Benjamin Franklin's autobiography that he claimed he was the father of Libraries in the United States. Benjamin franklin founded the Library Company of Philadelphia in November 1731. It was a subscription library supported by members.

The first library in Montana was the Lewis & Clark Library on Last Chance Gulch. It was opened before Montana became a territory.

There are 9,058 public libraries in the United States, and there are a total of 16,607 buildings. There are 105,451 school libraries; 3,697 Academic Libraries; 801 Government Libraries; and 221 Armed Forces Libraries,