Library News & Events

Novelist Carl Hiaasen to deliver MSU Library’s annual Trout Lecture on Oct. 10

September 30, 2024

MSU Library acquires papers of longtime employee who won a judgment against MSU in 1990

September 26, 2024

Celebrating the right to read with Banned Book Week

September 26, 2024

Fuzzy Rabbits Return to MSU Library

Tuesday, October 1, 2024, 12 - 2 p.m.
MSU Library, first floor near UIT

Hop on over to MSU Library to visit with adorable Angora rabbits. Gallatin Conservation District will be returning with their furry friends giving students a chance to chill out and take a break from their busy day. Did you know Angora fur is spun into cozy yarn?

Bobcat Browse Book Discussion - Carl Hiaasen's Novel "Squeeze Me"

Tuesday, October 8, 2024, 12:15-1:30 p.m. 
Second floor of the library by the windows near the Young Adult and Graphic Novels collection

All members of the MSU and local communities are invited to the October Bobcat Browse book discussion. This month we’ll will discuss "Squeeze Me," a novel by Carl Hiaasen, the 2024 Trout Lecture speaker.  

Hiaasen began his career as a journalist while writing novels in his spare time. To date, he has written 19 novels for adults, including "Strip Tease," made into a film starring Demi Moore and Burt Reynolds, and seven books for young readers, including "Hoot," named a Newbery Medal Honor book. Many of his adult novels are humorous crime thrillers taking place in his home state of Florida. Themes related to environmentalism and political corruption feature prominently in many of his books. 

Registration for the book discussion is encouraged. Visit https://forms.office.com/r/3byGfJB2Zi to add your name to the list. Contact Outreach Librarian Jan Zauha, (jzauha@montana.edu, 406-994-6554) with questions. 

The Trout Lecture Featuring Novelist Carl Hiaasen

Thursday, October 10, 2024, 7 - 9 p.m.
Strand Union Building Ballroom

2024 Trout Lecture speaker, novelist and journalist Carl Hiaasen, will present "The Loveliest Disease: Angling as a Therapeutic Pastime." The is free and open to the public, and the evening includes a post-event reception.

Hiaasen began his career as a journalist while writing novels in his spare time. To date he has written 19 novels for adults, including “Strip Tease,” which was made into a film staring Demi Moore and Burt Reynolds, and seven books for young readers, including “Hoot,” which was named a Newbery Medal Honor book. Many of his adult novels are humorous crime thrillers taking place in his home state of Florida. Themes related to environmentalism and political corruption feature prominently in many of his books.

When asked about his plans for the talk, Hiaasen said, "I won’t be giving an actual speech. It will be more like a group therapy session, because all of us who are most at peace with a flyrod in our hands suffer from the same incurable affliction. We desperately need help --and, of course, big fish in clear water." 

Seating at the Trout Lecture limited, and pre-registration is encouraged. Guests can register online at https://www.montana.edu/calendar/events/49871 or by calling (406) 994-6857.

MSU Library Open House

Monday, January 13, 2025, 3 - 6 p.m.
MSU Library

Join us as we celebrate 75 years of the Renne Library building. Further details will be posted here as they become available.

MSU Library Knowledge-Connecting Events

February and March, 2025

MSU Library’s Douglass Day Transcribe-a-thon and Wikipedia Edit-a-thon empower campus and com­­m­unity members to improve access to information.  TheTranscribe-a-thon honors Frederick Doug­lass by making his handwritten papers more access­ible through crowdsourced transcription facilitated by the Library of Congress.The Wikipedia edit-a-thon focuses on improving online content by adding citations, correcting errors, and highlighting underrepresented voices and viewpoints. 

Both events embody the principles of inquiry, innovation, transparency, and community engagement. Crowdsourcing helps everyone play a role in breaking down barriers to the creation, curation, and dissemination of knowledge.To find out more visit lib.montana.edu/about/news-and-events/knowledge-connecting-events.html.

Save February 14, 2025 for Douglass Day

Help make the words of a great author, abolitionist, and civil rights champion available to the world!  

Every year the folks at DouglassDay.org team up with the Frederick Douglass Papers Project at the Library of Congress to host a birthday celebration in honor of the great orator, author, journalist, abolitionist, and civil rights champion, Frederick Douglass. 

At MSU Library, our celebration will include music, birthday cake, speakers, voter registration, and a transcribe-a-thon. The transcribe-a-thon is part of the By the People crowdsourcing project at the Library of Congress. 

By joining us, you can contribute to making Frederick Douglass’s papers, speeches, and correspondence accessible for a broad audience.

To receive an official invitation to Douglass Day 2025, please share your email address by clicking here. The library will not share your information and  will email you only twice: right away with a Save-the-Date; then in January with all the event details.

For more information, contact MSU Library's Research and Creativity Coordinator Wendy Purnell, wendy.purnell@montana.edu or 406-994-3125.