Whitefish library plans community celebration

A grand opening celebration is planned for Saturday, July 16, at the new Whitefish Community Library.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Depot Park, across from the library.

Whitefish High School drama students will don clown attire and hand out balloons to kids. Volunteers at the welcome table will have maps and event schedules.

People can stop by booths and meet the library staffers, fill out a community survey, flip through library scrapbooks, apply for a library card, buy used books, play a round of library trivia or learn about community history from Stumptown Historical Society members.

A book raffle featuring autographed books by Montana authors is part of the day.

A special area for kids is planned, offering face painting and story times.

Members of Whitefish High School jazz groups will perform and hot dogs and hamburgers will be served for lunch. Following lunch, a magician performs on the main stage.

After the lunch events, an official ribbon cutting and flag ceremony are planned at the library.

Finally, cake is to be served in the park after the ribbon cutting.

Tours of the library will be offered all day.

Library officials last week unveiled the library’s new logo, designed by David Elliott. Elliott’s design was chosen by library board members from a field of submissions by seven artists.

Elliott is co-owner and president of Rocky Mountain Images, a Whitefish garment printing and promotional marketing products company.

The library, which is owned and operated by the city of Whitefish, is open from noon to 8 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Wednesdays, it’s open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. And, Fridays and Saturdays, hours are from noon to 5 p.m.

Children’s story time begins at 1 p.m. on Thursdays.

The book fair held during the Whitefish Arts Festival in early July resulted in the donation of about 45 new books to the library. And, people donated $650 to buy more new books for the library during the arts festival.

The community library opened July 5, after the interlocal agreement between the city of Whitefish and the Flathead County Library was terminated, effective June 30.

Reporter Shelley Ridenour may be reached at 758-4439 or sridenour@dailyinterlake.com.