Author: Absarokee Lending Library

News

Stillwater County News

Absarokee Lending Library

Small building, big heart:

Volunteer-run library serves community with passion

GAIL CUSHMAN, SCN Contributor

I recently spent some time in the tiny A-framed building on Absarokee’s Main Street, and found it filled with love, commitment, hope and — oh, a lot of books and other media. It is a tiny building with a big heart, and a bunch of volunteers who keep that heart beating.

I’m talking about the Absarokee Lending Library, manned by lifelong
Absarokee resident Roseanna Lohof, who — along with her many volunteers
— keeps it open several days a week. Roseanna estimated that they serve
between 130- 300 patrons a month, depending on the season, weather and other unpredictable events. This is a private library and receives no
public/government funding. The goal is to be self-sustaining, and they are
making progress.

GETTING STARTED

Originally books were donated from a single home library, seeding the
endeavor to gain a library in the fall of 2018. The initial library location was in the Rex Anderson building (across the street from its current location).
Although several helped maintain the startup, Ed and Diane Hamilton — along with Sara Kerr — kept things going and were behind the move to the current building. Both the Catholic Church and the Episcopalian churches owned the building at one time, and when the Episcopal Church left Absarokee, they rented the building to the library. When they decided to sell it, Clara and Gary Borland purchased the building for the library to use.
The library board is purchasing the building and holds a few fundraisers each year to help pay down the mortgage, which is currently under $50,000. They receive a few grants, but the grants provide money for books and other projects, not to pay off a mortgage, so they are still working to become self-sustaining.

This board includes Roseanna (President) Secretary Heidi Gunderson, Vice
president Jim Bretherick, Treasurer Greg Waite, and Member-at-large Dianne French (all volunteers).
Meetings of the board are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Rosebud Room (AKA the garage) and are open to the public.

KEEPING THE DOORS OPEN

The library’s chief fundraising method is called the 24-7 Plan, which has a goal of acquiring 24 local donors to donate $700 a year for five years, which boils down to about $60/month, or less than an outing to a good restaurant (or even a bad one, these days). Ninety percent of the books are donated, but Roseanna said she can usually find money for a book that someone wants. She praised the Snow Flake Festival and local artist Steve Kerr for help providing donations. A group called Sisters on the Fly has also stepped in to provide some funding and publicity. The current project is to build a patio, which honors Bill Pelton, who helped initiate the 24-7 fundraising plan and was a consistent contributor to the library. He passed away from cancer a short time ago.

STARTING SMALL

Roseanna started volunteering at the library on Wednesday mornings. Little did she know her volunteerism would morph into something more full-time. Sue Waite, who often volunteers, praised Roseanna, saying “I don’t think we would be where we are today without her. She gives her all and keeps the rest of the volunteers going. We are lucky to have her.”
Every librarian has a wish list, and Roseanna is no different, but her goals go
beyond library items. Ultimately Roseanna said she’d like to see the library be more integrated into the community and would like to see it utilized more. She’d also like some assistance to modernize the library and keep it technologically up to speed. This includes improving and maintaining the website on a regular basis. And, of course, Roseanna is always looking for volunteers to man the library every Thursday morning and Friday afternoon, so if you have a few extra hours during the week, call Roseanna at
(406) 321-6173 or send an email to absarokeelibrary@nemont.net.


The Absarokee Lending Library is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It is located at 111 S. Woodard Ave. For more information, check out the library’s Facebook page.

Absarokee Lending Library Board President Roseanna Lohof, right, and volunteer Sue Waite work together earlier this week, doing their part to make the space a treasure filled with “good things, good people and good books.”


GAIL CUSHMAN
Copyright (c) 2025 Stillwater County News eEdition, Edition 5/22/2025
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Copyright (c) 2025 Stillwater County News eEdition, Edition 5/22/2025


Memorials, News

Brian Simmons Memorial Fund

Absarokee Lending Library

Simmons Memorial

A couple years ago, Absarokee’s Class of 1983 decided to commemorate its 40th reunion by funding a memorial for classmates lost. Brian Simmons, who was heading up reunion details, stepped in to help spearhead the memorial fund that would benefit the Absarokee Lending Library. The library building had been home to St. Paul’s of the Stillwater Episcopal Church, Brian and his family’s house of worship until the church closed and was purchased for the library. Marilyn Simmons, Brian’s mom, said that the little church had always held a special spot in Brian’s heart. That may have been some of the motivation because Brian helped the memorial raise nearly $1,500 toward the building’s mortgage.

We did not expect that a little more than a year later Brian would join those the memorial honored…

With the family’s blessing, the library has commissioned a simple plaque in Brian’s honor which will hang with his classmates’ memorial and has started a memorial fund in Brian’s name with all proceeds going toward paying off the library’s mortgage. Those contributing to the fund will be acknowledged on our website unless otherwise directed.

Tax deductible contributions can be sent to Absarokee Lending Library, PO Box 726, Absarokee MT  59001 or dropped by the library during open hours. There is also a Brian Simmons Memorial account set up at First Interstate Bank for direct deposit. The Absarokee Lending Library website can also receive Venmo and PayPal contributions through our website absarokeelibrary@nemont.net. Please make checks out to Absarokee Lending Library and note on all donations that it is for the Brian Simmons Memorial.

News

Thank You 24/7 Contributors

Absarokee Lending Library

Dear Friends of the Library,

​Thank you so much for your past generous donations. The Absarokee Lending Library has paid off almost half of our mortgage to date. We are pushing hard to find grants for funding throughout all of Montana and the United States. 

​The time of the year for the 24/7 Campaign is once more upon us. Your generous donation last year enabled us to make a large payment toward our mortgage principle. Can we count on you to send in your donation again this year? Some donors contributed before the end of the year for same year tax deductions, while others waited until after the first of the year in order to gain next year tax deductions. Whichever way you decide to give, the library will benefit immensely.

​Also, we would like to remind you of the upcoming yearly Snowflake Festival on Friday, December 8. We will have a large bake sale so be sure to stop by and check out all the goodies!

The library looks forward to the day when, with no mortgage to pay, we can begin helping others in the community who have needs. 

The Absarokee Lending Library Board of Directors

Fall 2023

Events, News

Christmas Tree Contest 2023

Absarokee Lending Library

The Christmas Tree Contest is Gearing Up

​It’s that time of year again. With the holidays conducting their yearly stack-up, we are getting a head start on the annual Christmas Tree Contest and encouraging potential participants to start thinking of the possibilities. Individuals, groups, families, clubs, schools, classes and homeschoolers are all encouraged to decorate a tree that depicts a favorite book or story and it doesn’t need to be Christmas themed.

1) Find an artificial tree no larger than 3 feet tall. Must have its own stand. (Your tree will be returned to you after the event.)

2) Choose a book you love. (It doesn’t need to be a Christmas book.) 

3) Follow the theme and/or characters of the book to create or gather ornaments and decorate your tree to spotlight the chosen book. No lights are allowed.

4) Bring the tree to the Absarokee Lending Library with a copy of the chosen book between December 4 and December 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or contact Roseanna Lohof at (406) 321-6173 or Sue Waite (406) 290-4002 to set up a time prior to judging.

5) Tell EVERYONE to sit the library during the Snowflake Festival, Friday, December 8th and vote on their favorite tree.

 6) There will be two category People’s Choice winners, adult and youth. Enter as a group, family or an individual.

*Trees can be picked up after January 2, 2024.

Last year’s inaugural event proved to be a success and we would like to build this into a tradition. We invite everyone to join in the fun. We are excited to see what you come up with!

Memorials

Memorial Provided by the Class of 1983

Absarokee Lending Library

​​​​

To commemorate their 40 year reunion, the Absarokee Class of 1983 gifted a memorial donation to the Absarokee Lending Library for those whom the class has lost. A plaque in honor of Leona Smith, Lewis Heimer, Philip Gauthier, Rosemarie Herem and Cliff Wilcox was provided by the class and is now permanently displayed in the library. In addition, the Class of 1983 presented the Library with a generous gift of $1,625 to be used for its mortgage.

News

Memorial Provided by the Class of 1983

Absarokee Lending Library

​ 

This summer the Absarokee Class of 1983 marked its 40th Reunion. To commemorate the anniversary, the class chose to give a memorial donation to the Absarokee Lending Library forthose whom the class has lost. A plaque in honor of Leona Smith, Lewis Heimer, Philip Gauthier, Rosemarie Herem and Cliff Wilcox was provided by the class and is now permanently displayed in the library. In addition, the library was presented $1,625 to be used for its mortgage.

The Class would like to extend an invitation to the public to add to this number in memory of these five classmates. Checks can be written to Absarokee Lending Library, with Class of 83 in the memo and sent to Absarokee Lending Library, PO Box 726, Absarokee, MT  59001. Donations can also be made through the Paypal button on this site, noting the Class of 83.

The Absarokee Lending Library extends its gratitude for this very gracious and thoughtful gift. 

News

Library Remodel

Absarokee Lending Library

The library has been the recipient of several grants recently. With these funds we are undertaking a remodel of the building. The Ground Breaking Ceremony for this remodel will be held Saturday, December 17th from 11-2:00 at the Main Street Commons. All are welcome, and refreshments will be provided. 

This remodel will include improving the stairs up to the loft, insulating the building, new siding, improvements to the loft, improving wheelchair accessibility, new shelving and furniture amongst other things. Check back for more updates as the project progresses!

Newsletters coming soon!

Events

Author Meet And Greet

Absarokee Lending Library

July 29th after the Absarokee Days Parade

Join us for a special event at the Absarokee Lending Library! We are thrilled to host authors Tricia Velure and Tom Sandhei for a meet and greet and book signing. They will be signing copies of their book “Dust Yourself Off: The Gravel Road To A Good Life.” A remarkable true story set in small town North Dakota and Montana in the 1920’s through 1960’s. A story of love, loss and feisty resilience.

Treats, and Raffle to Follow

In addition to the book signing, we will be serving treats. And that’s not all – we will be holding the raffle for the two beautiful pictures donated by local artists. This is a great opportunity to support the local arts community and our all-volunteer library. You may purchase your raffle tickets up until the drawing.