Montana Library is First U.S. Library to Win International Award

Montana is becoming a state known for its libraries.

Earlier this year the Billings Public Library was awarded the Excellent Library Services Award by the Montana State Library Commission. The Billings Public Library also won a 2016 AIA/ALA Library Building Award.

The Missoula Public Library has also won its fair share of awards, some of them international. In June, the library announced it had won a ALA/IIDA Interior Design Award for 2024, this after two previous awards, an AIA/ALA Library Building Award in 2023 and of course the World's Best Public Library Award in 2022.

Recently, they announced they've won another design award, this time for being a "Green Library."

As the post describes above the Missoula Public Library has won the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions Green Library Award for 2024. But as they note, there's something extra special about this award.

Missoula is setting the stage for library excellence as this is the first time a United States library has won first place. The IFLA said the Missoula Public Library "exemplifies sustainability through its innovative programming and green practices," pointing out the way it houses multiple programs and reaches "23,000 people through 1,000 programs, three-quarters of which address environmental conservation, social sustainability, and economic equality."

We had the privilege of speaking with the Teen Program Director for Dream Bigger last week, one of the many programs that the library offers. This particular program is free for teens and focuses on encouraging innovation, much like the innovation that went into creating the Missoula Public Library. Take advantage of the incredible resources the Missoula Public Library has to offer.