Employees don't seem to do anything to ensure people using computers keep them clean. I often find food debris at computers. Also parking is terrible. Needs to be relocated to an area with better parking. read more

Lewis & Clark Library - Debris mess at computer area left behind by someone else - Libraries Near Me - Helena, Montana

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A wonderful library that is vibrantly alive. There are so many services offered, the staff is always helpful and it is bright and cheerful! (Well, except the new spot that the audio books were moved to, that block seems to be a bit darker) Every time I go there I think, we are fortunate to have this library! read more

Good library for a town this size. With the homelessness issue facing the nation, the Library seems to be a gathering place for the down and out. The only thing that especially bothers me is the smoking that takes place close to entrances. I'm not sure what the ordinances are on smoking on local government property, like the walking mall on Last Chance Gulch. I don't think that non smoking ordinaces can be enforced with the homeless, they have no means to pay a fine, and a nigjt in jail would mean a shower, food, bed, and maybe some healthcare. read more

We just moved to the area and explored the local library and it was very nice inside. It was easy to get a library card and select books. Librarians were all so helpful too. We mostly stayed in the children's area which was awesome for my kids. read more

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This is a great library. Nice size and great section for kids. My nieces plopped in front of a computer to play an Arthur game. It has two levels. My family goes here to get books and dvds for the kids and it's conveniently located in the walking mall! There's also a nice playground nearby with slides! I love slides. read more

Lewis & Clark Library - Inside - Libraries Near Me - Helena, Montana

I love the Lewis & Clark Library! Especially after the upgrades. Let's see... -There is a nice study/reading area outside the main library, where you can talk if you want to. Nice sunny windows early in the AM. Free wifi throughout the library. (If you have trouble with the wifi, ask the librarians for a special CD to fix it) -Lots of current books brought in regularly. Certainly not the size of a book collection found in a large city, but I feel it's pretty impressive for a town the size of Helena. GREAT selection for kids, too! -Computers available for use for those with a library card. It's also timed, so you don't have to wait for years hoping someone will finish and you can have a turn. -They offer lots of computer classes. Check their website for listings. -Big magazine section upstairs, where there is also a cute little trickling fountain, nice sunny windows, comfy chairs and couches, and some big tables for those who like to study. The upstairs used to be closed off, but after renovations it was opened up, and I'm SO excited that it was!! -Geneology/historical information area upstairs. Only open certain times, but staffed with people who can help you find what you're looking for! -Local art on display in the main foyer area right inside. Always interesting and fun to look at. -Nice clean bathrooms -Self-checkout if you so desire. Nice and speedy, easy to use. Plus, it just makes you feel cool. -Tables and chairs scattered throughout for studying and reading. Some of them are nice and hidden among the racks, so wander around and you may find your new favorite spot. -Right next to a (actually 2) park(s). If you have kids or pets, this is a plus. The park behind the library has playground equipment. -The only negative I can really think of is the parking. Since the library is downtown, parking is hard to come by, and the best you can find is 2 hour spots. If you're the type that likes to spend hours lounging around books, you'll have to park a pretty good distance away, or else pay for an afternoon. Not sure what else to say - having lived in a few different towns, I feel more and more proud of Helena's library! read more

We are so lucky to have this wonderful library in a town our size. Love it! I depend on them when my rural internet service poops out on me and I so appreciate the role this active organization plays in our community in many ways. Their selection and educational opportunities are not usually expected in a small town library. read more

The library has potential. The facility is nice, but the material selections are not multicultural. I have had problems with dismissive staff members who do not order my inter-library loan requests. Too bad even the library in this town wants to be exclusive. read more

My family and I love the Lewis and Clark Library! It is very clean and well-maintained. The new renovations only made it that much better! They added an open area right outside the library in the foyer area that sort of reminds me of a student center in a college. There are tables to sit at where you can read, study, or use your computer with their free wifi. You can also talk in this area without having to worry about disturbing those inside the library. I love their selection of books and, if they don't have the one you are looking for, they can order it through other libraries in the state. It doesn't take long to arrive either. They have a wonderful selection for children of all ages and, as a parent, you can choose to allow them to check out certain books or not. We had trouble with other libraries restricting based on age, but Lewis and Clark County does not do that. They have computers available for use in the library plus they have a wide variety of services and information on their website that you can access from home, including reserving books. You can also check out books for your Kindle or other reader. read more

The Lewis & Clark Library is a great place to spend ones time. If given an opportunity, it'd be an excellent idea to stop by. I'd recommend this library to anyone. read more

This is by far the noisiest library I've ever been to! Inconsiderate parents allow their young children to yell and scream at the top of their lungs, people gab on their cellphones like they're in their living rooms, and everyone talks loudly so you can hear the person clear across the other side of the library. Those looking for a quiet place to read or study will be quite frustrated at the noise level of this place. Granted, the book selection is pretty good, but as for DVDs there are far too many TV shows and not nearly enough feature films (and good luck playing these discs because most of them are so scratched up they'll lock up in your player). The staff members are nice, but the administrator really needs to implement some new rules to keep the noise level down. I've been able to read better in a bowling alley! read more

By far the NOISIEST library I've ever been to, and I've lived in a lot of cities and have frequented a lot of libraries. Do-nothing mothers who've probably never worked a day in their lives bring their crying babies and screaming children inside rather than doing the polite thing by taking their brats outside until they quiet down. And they yell and run around all over the library like it's a playground, and the staff does absolutely nothing about it. Making this worse is the dire absence of study rooms, which means there's absolutely no place to read in peace and quiet. If it were between trying to read in this library or a bowling alley, I'd choose the bowling alley. And then the library has the nerve to have a sign outside stating that loud conversations and cellphone talk should be taken outside when all these noisy brats make 20 times more noise, and can't-be-bothered mothers are allowed to yap on their phones in the children section while other people are told to take it outside. Book selection is okay, but I've had reservations of upcoming books mysteriously taken off my account, and the DVD selection is mediocre what with a lot more TV shows than movies. The Missoula Public Library is about half the size, but the selection is better and it's a lot more quiet. This is basically a place to return and check out materials and that's it -- it's certainly not a place for reading or studying. Oh, and two more things -- there's this mentally-ill woman who disturbs patrons by sitting down beside them and loudly yapping and laughing, and the staff continue to let her do this; and when I called the cops on this meth-head who'd passed out in the bathroom, the administrator gave me a disapproving look and said, "It's his library, too." Unbelievable! read more