MISSOULA — Missoula’s new public library is set to open on July 15 and one local organization is especially excited to be one of their first tenants.
Missoula’s Community Media Resource, commonly known as MCAT, has called 500 North Higgins Avenue home for the last 30 years. Tucked away in what used to be the garage of the old Missoulian building, it’s easy to miss, but come May 15, they’ll be getting an upgrade and moving into Missoula's new library.
“We’ve been off the beaten trail for 30 years now, so the notion that we’re going into a space that already has foot traffic of 1,500 people per day, it’s both exciting and intimidating because we have to be ready for that much more public service,” said MCAT’s general manager Joel Baird.
MCAT’s mission is simple, they aim to serve the public, and they do so in a number of ways. For example, they record city council meetings, offer free media training and equipment loans, and they even run a number of media education programs.
Once in their new and improved space, Baird said they’ll be able to offer even more public outreach. “What we intend to do once we’re in the library is to try to set up our services so that the library can be really friendly to visitors that want to pack experiences together,” said Baird.
Whether you want to check out a book or learn how to make audio recordings, the library will be the place to go once it opens this July. Baird said he’s thrilled to be collaborating with the library, “we’re gonna come together, whether you’re rich or poor, and have a space where you can learn and share information.”
MCAT will celebrate its 30th anniversary on April 22. The library's grand opening is set for July 15.
