County Library Branches
Welcome to the Chouteau County Library System!
A Place To Belong
For every reader, the best book;
For every question, the best answer;
For every need, the best resource;
For every encounter, the best experience;
For every person, a place to belong.
How We Can Help You
We provide county citizens with low-cost and free print and electronic resources including books, periodicals, audio-visual materials, and reference materials, and also services such as printing, copying, scanning, and fax.
Need help with something more?
READ.
WATCH.
LISTEN.
LEARN.
CREATE.
INSPIRE.
READ. WATCH. LISTEN. LEARN. CREATE. INSPIRE.
Upcoming Events
What’s New
Books
Audio Books
Movies
LEARN. CREATE. INSPIRE.
OUR HISTORY
Chouteau County Library
Dorothy McLeish founded the Fort Benton Study Club in 1914. Less than a year later, she asked Carnegie for a library gift. After six months and a recommendation from university librarian Gertrude Buckhous, Carnegie gave $15,000 to Chouteau County. On October 4th, 1918, the Chouteau County Carnegie library opened.
OUR BRANCHES
Big Sandy
Fort Benton
Geraldine
About
A library is built by a community, supported by a community, and sustained by a community. We are here to serve that community.
Our Commitment To You:
The Chouteau County Library system is committed to providing a center for reliable information that will address the needs of all age groups by:
Maintaining a collection of diverse materials
Providing access to advanced and developing technology, including Internet access, and ensuring availability of information
Offering inter-library loan service
Sponsoring/cosponsoring and supporting community programs
Securing historical and current documents in a safe and secure environment
Do you have questions? We have answers!
Do you have questions? We have answers!
Take a minute to write an introduction that is short, sweet, and to the point.
FAQs
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
-
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Have a question? Please start here:
CONTACT
Please allow 24 hours for a response during the week and longer on weekends. Thanks!
Please contact us with your questions.
Chouteau County Resources
Fort Benton,
Montana
Located on the banks of the Missouri River in the Golden Triangle of Central Montana, Fort Benton is one of the oldest communities in Montana. Established in 1846 as an American Fur Company Trading Post, it remains one of the prettiest little communities in the west today.
Fort Benton has a wealth of history to explore. Visit Old Fort Benton, Montana Agricultural Center, Homestead Village, Hornaday Smithsonian Buffalo, Museum of the Northern Great Plains, Star Gallery of Western Art, Museum of the Upper Missouri and the Missouri River Breaks Interpretive Center.
Chouteau County Public Health office offers many services to help protect and promote health, safety, and wellness among all of our residents. We have dedicated and skilled professionals that provide the best services possible for our county.
Fort Benton Branch Library
Hours:
Memorial Day to Labor Day
Mon - Wed 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Thurs & Fri 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Labor Day to Memorial Day
Mon & Tues 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Wed - Fri 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Address:
1518 Main St
PO Box 639
Fort Benton, MT 59442
Phone:
406-622-5222
Services Available:
The Fort Benton Branch Library is here to help you by providing these resources
Six patron computers
Free Wifi
Printing
Copying - black & white, color
Scanning
Fax
Hot spots (portable internet connectivity)
Crafts
Games
Puzzles
Books, audio books including books on CD and Playaways, DVDs, magazines, local newspapers, launch pads, laptops
OUR ROOMS
Montana Room
Reading, study, small group gathering, quiet area
Adult Room
Desktop computers connected to the internet with the ability to watch videos, attend web-based meetings, email, and printing. Tables, a couch, and chairs for games, crafts, coloring, coffee, chatting, reading, and connecting.
Tween / Teen / Young Adult Area
Tucked away area with outlets, study table, and places to sit and connect - both socially and to recharge devices. Fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, manga, playaways, puzzles, games, study area but can also hold small groups.
Children’s Area
Games, crafts, activities, books, computers, furniture, a chance for movement and to be a bit louder (within reason).
OUR MEETING ROOMS
McLeish Room
Original Meeting Room
Newspaper Room
Can comfortably host 35 people. Access to wifi, projection, and other technologies. Food, up to full meals, can be served in this room but clean-up and disposal is done by the group using the room. For more information, please contact the library.
Can comfortably host 30 people. Access to wifi, projection, and other technologies. Light food can be served but not full meals. While the McLeish Room is brighter and has a more modern feel, the Original Meeting Room has a darker, cozier, vintage atmosphere. There is carpeting along with original dark wood library furniture including table and chairs. For more information, please contact the library.
Is a room for research, study, zoom meetings, or private meetings. It can hold 4 people comfortably with the possibility of 6 people. Wifi is available. For more information, please contact the library.
OUR STAFF
Rachel Baumgarn
Fun Facts:
Married with 3 kiddos
Have a child with a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD), his condition is called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)
Has an appreciation for witty banter
Loves the Atlanta Braves
Community Involvement:
Host of the Big Sandy Community Red Cross Blood Drive
Director of Big Sandy Youth Soccer
Director of Big Sandy Little League
Director of Pioneer Parent Team
President of Big Sandy Arts & Athletics
Secretary/Treasurer of Big Sandy TV Club
Big Sandy Branch Library Clerk
Favorite Coffee:
White chocolate caramel Latte or Breve
Favorite Book:
All the In Death Series By J.D. Robb
Favorite TV Show:
Friends
Hawaii 5-0
The Handmaid's Tale
Favorite Podcasts:
Murder with my Husband
Sword & Scale
Darlene Cline
More About Darlene:
I was raised on a family ranch in Bynum where I attended K-8 grade. Graduated from Choteau High School. I met my husband at MSU-Northern while attending college. I am happily married with 2 kids living on the family farm with our cats, dogs, and chickens.
I enjoyed reading when I was growing up and you could always find me in the library. I would stay up all night reading any book I could get my hands on. But my favorites were Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell and Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. Now I enjoy the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I still will read anything I find interesting including Montana History.
When I’m not helping patrons at the library, I love to be outdoors with nature and enjoying the beauty of Montana. From being in the water either swimming or kayaking, to sledding in the snow or trail riding the mountains of Montana. I love to garden and enjoy the flowers with the clucking of my chickens in the background. My favorite pastime is hanging out with my family and friends.
I love to give back to the community either it is being on the church council, sunday school leader, or pre-school board. I grew up in girl scouts receiving my gold award and now following my son through scouts by being a boy scout leader and receiving my wood badge. I also enjoy music which led me in the direction of the community band when I was in 8th grade. Then moving to a new community that got me started into the community choir.
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