County library foundation gets new executive director

Dori Muehlhof will be executive director of the Flathead County Library Foundation beginning Aug. 1.

Muehlhof brings experience with a variety of Flathead Valley organizations to her new position. Since 2010 she has worked as director of member services for the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, and prior to that was executive director of the Flathead Convention & Visitor Bureau for five years. 

Muehlhof also worked for a time as senior sales manager at Grouse Mountain Lodge. She is a graduate of Washington State University with a bachelor’s degree in communications/advertising.

 The Flathead County Library Foundation raises and accepts money for projects and services not covered by the county library system’s operating budget. In the past three years it has provided more than $150,000 for the main library in Kalispell and branches in Bigfork, Columbia Falls and Marion.

Financial support comes from events such as Loud at the Library; special sponsors such as Park Side Federal Credit Union; and an annual appeal to the community. The foundation also accepts bequests and memorial or tribute gifts.

This year an update to the library system’s 10-year-old space needs assessment is being funded by the foundation. The 2004 study determined that the main and branch libraries were seriously deficient in space. 

The Bigfork and Columbia Falls branches have outgrown their current facilities, limiting the ability to provide adequate materials, services and programming to the community, according to Library Director Kim Crowley.

The foundation had an executive director, Stewart Harvey, for a short time about five years ago, but has operated without a director for several years.

“We feel we’re now poised to get the foundation re-energized,” Crowley said, noting future capital improvement projects for the library system that include a new main library and new Bigfork branch library within the next five years.