Lewis and Clark Library Lincoln Branch Board Meeting Scheduled Feb. 12

A Lewis and Clark Library Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Thu, Feb 12, 2026 at 5:30 PM in the Lincoln Community Room at the Lincoln branch, presenting an opportunity for local residents to follow library governance and raise concerns about services and budgets. The community notice lists the meeting location as "102 9th Ave, Lincoln," but library records also list the branch as "102 9th Street, Lincoln, MT 59639," so attendees should verify the exact address before traveling.

The community notice reads in full: "Community notice: The Lincoln Branch of the Lewis & Clark Library lists a Board Meeting scheduled for Thu, Feb 12, 2026 at 5:30 PM in the Lincoln Community Room (Lewis & Clark Library — Lincoln Branch, 102 9th Ave, Lincoln). The listing is a local community announcement for library patrons and resid" and ends mid-sentence. That truncated phrasing, and the difference in street type, are noted here rather than assumed resolved.

System governance norms suggest this meeting is an exception to the usual schedule. As the Montana State Library directory states, "The Lewis and Clark Library Board of Trustees hold their regular business meeting on the third Tuesday of each month, beginning at 5:00 p.m. The meeting is normally held in the upstairs Mezzanine Meeting Room of the Helena Main Library. Any meeting location changes, for example holding a meeting at a branch library will be posted. Meetings are open to the public." The Feb. 12 time and Thursday location at a branch therefore appear to be a posted deviation from the regular cadence.

Historical agendas illustrate the kinds of business residents can expect. A past Lincoln Branch meeting from June 13, 2019 included a reading of the Board’s mission statement, public comment, and a "Staff Report: Sherri Wood, Lincoln Branch Manager." Consent items in that meeting included minutes and service, financial, general ledger and personnel reports for May 2019, followed by the motion language recorded as: "MOTION . . . that the Lewis & Clark Library Board of Trustees approve the Consent Items as presented." Unfinished business in that agenda featured a by-laws second reading with the motion recorded as: "MOTION . . . that the Lewis & Clark Library Board of Trustees approve the Board By-Laws as presented and/or amended." New business in 2019 included a "Sources and Timing of Financial Resources discussion," showing fiscal items regularly appear on trustee agendas.

Practical information for Lincoln residents: the system operates branch services in Augusta, Lincoln and East Helena and runs the Lewis and Clark Bookmobile. The library notes that "Library cards are free but you do need proof of residency in Lewis & Clark County." Outreach includes book return locations at Bob's Valley Market off Lincoln Road and the Montana City Store. The directory also records summer hours as "M-F 10a-8p; Sa-Su 11a-5p" and reports that "Today, over 30,000 people visit the Library a month making the Lewis & Clark Library one of the busiest libraries in the state."

Because of the address and schedule discrepancies and the truncated community notice, verify meeting details and request the official agenda before attending by contacting the library’s accessibility line at (406) 444-3115 or by calling the branch. For residents watching local services and budgets, this meeting is a direct chance to hear financial reports, committee updates and director comments and to participate in public comment.