Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to get a library card?

Individuals 15 years of age and older must produce documentation with a current mailing address, such as a drivers license, utility bill, or apartment lease. Children younger than 15 years old must have a parent with a library card. Parents must come in person to sign a child up for a card.

Download an application.
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How do I renew my books?

You may renew books online, by phone, or in person.

To renew online, go to our catalog. Once there you login to iBistro and manage your account online using your library card number and pin. Your library card number is the full 14 digits underneath the barcode on your card. If you have never used iBistro before, your password is “changeme” (make sure there is no space and that it is all lowercase). Enter both your library card number and pin in the upper right fields and press Login to My Library Account.

Once you are signed in, choose “My Library Account” from the options along the top. Four options will appear. If this was your first login, select User PIN Change to select a new pin that only you know. To renew materials select Renew My Materials. A list of your current checked-out items will appear. Select the boxes next to the items you want to renew and press Renew Selected Items near the bottom of the screen. A confirmation will appear to tell you that renewal was successful. Please make note of your new due date(s). An item may not be renewed if you have exceeded the number of renewals or if the item is on reserve for another patron. In this case, iBistro will tell you that the renewal was not successful. Please return these items before their current due date to avoid fines. If you use a library or other public computer to access iBistro remember to log out when you are done.

To renew by phone call the libraries at (406) 293-2778 Libby, (406) 295-4040 Troy, or (406) 296-2613 Eureka.
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What is iBistro?

iBistro is the libraries’ interactive online catalog. Through iBistro search our catalog, see what items you have checked out, renew items, reserve books, and much more.

To use iBistro from any computer with internet access, visit our catalog. The catalog site can also be reached from our website or by selecting “Lincoln County Public Libraries” from the list of libraries at www.mymontanalibrary.com.

Without logging into your account you can use iBistro to search the catalog, find books selections, and make requests. Browse through the links along the top and bottom of the screen or go to Search/Home to look for library materials. To access your account online, request an ILL, or change your user information, you will need to login to your iBistro account (see below).
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How do I access my library account in iBistro?

To access your personal library account you need to login to iBistro using your library card number and pin. Your library card number is the full 14 digits underneath the barcode on your card. If you have never used iBistro before, your password will be “changeme” (lowercase and with no space). Enter both your library card number and pin in the upper right fields and press Login to My Library Account just below the fields.
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What can I do with my library account using iBistro?

Once you login to iBistro, choose My Library Account from the options along the top. Four options will appear: Review My Account, Renew My Account, User Pin Change, and Change My Address. You can select My Library Account from the top of the screen at any time to return to these options.

If this is your first login, select User PIN Change to select a new pin that only you know. You may change this number at any time in the future using this feature.

Select Review My Account to see a summary of currently checked out items and items on hold. Here you may cancel items on hold, see what holds you have waiting for you at the library, and see due dates for all items.

To renew materials select Renew My Materials. A list of your current checked-out items will appear. Select the boxes next to the items you want to renew and press Renew Selected Items near the bottom of the screen. A confirmation will appear to tell you that renewal was successful. Please make note of your new due date(s). An item may not be renewed if you have exceeded the number of renewals or if it is on reserve for another patron. In this case, iBistro will tell you that the renewal was not successful. Please return these items before their current due date to avoid fines.

Select Change My Address to update your current phone number, mailing address, or email address.

Whenever you need to return to the main four options for account management, select My Library Account from along the top of the screen. If you use a library or other public computer to access iBistro remember to log out when you are done.
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Do the libraries have wireless internet?

Yes, all three libraries have wireless internet. No password is required.
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What is my library card number?

To sign into iBistro, use the full 14 digits found under the barcode on the back of your library card.

Do not use the full 14 digits to use the library computers at the Libby Library. Instead, use only the digits following the string of 0’s in your card number. This number is 6 digits or less and is both your login and password to use the Libby computers. Please note: these numbers will not work unless you have signed up to use the computer previously. Please ask a librarian if you need help.
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What is my pin number?

If you are using iBistro for the first time, your password will be “changeme.” After logging into your account, select “My Library Account” and then “User Pin Change” in order to change your pin.

To use the library computers at the Libby Library, use the digits following the string of 0’s on the back of your card under the barcode. This number is 6 digits or less and is both your login and password to use the Libby computers. Please note: these numbers will not work unless you have signed up to use the computer previously. Please ask a librarian for help logging in if you have a library card but have never used the library’s public computers.
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How many items can I check out at once?

New patrons can check out up to three items at a time for the first three months. After three months, patrons have no limit on the number of items they can have out at one time.
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How do I request an obituary?

Obituaries, birth announcements, or other historic newspaper requests may be submitted by email, mail, or phone to:

Lincoln County Public Libraries
ATTN: Genealogy/Reference
220 West 6th Street
Libby, MT 59923
(406) 293-2778

Please provide as much information as possible, including specific dates and names. There is no charge for this service, but donations are appreciated. If only a date range is available please plan to visit the library personally as the library staff is not available for extensive research purposes.
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How do I request an interlibrary loan?

Interlibrary loans can be requested in person, by phone, or online using iBistro [link to “What is iBistro”]. To request in person, ask a librarian for an Interlibrary Loan form and provide as much detail as possible.
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What are your hours?
The Libby Library hours are:
- Tuesday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Wednesday-Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sundays, Mondays & Holiday CLOSED
The Troy & Eureka Libraries’ hours are:
- Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Sundays, Mondays & Holiday CLOSED
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When is story time?

Libby – Tuesdays at 10am
Troy & Eureka – Thursdays at 11am
For more children’s programming see the library calendar.
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How do I recommend a book or movie?

To recommend materials for purchase, please speak with a librarian, email, or request a book online through iBistro.

You do not have to be logged in to your account to recommend materials using iBistro. Visit the catalog and choose Ask Us! from the choices along the top of the screen. Select Recommend for Purchase and provide as much information about the item as possible.
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Can I use the Internet at the libraries?

Public computers and wireless access are available at all three libraries. Computers are available to library cardholders as well as non-card holders for one hour each day. Computers have Internet access, word processing, and spreadsheet programs, resume templates, and much more. Printing from a library computer is $.15 per page. Availability of computers is on a first-come, first-served basis and computer time cannot be reserved.
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How can I help the library?

You can help the libraries in a variety of ways. Visit Support the Library to see our current wish list and to find out about volunteering, donating materials, joining the Friends of the Library, and more.
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How old do I have to be to use the library computers?

You must be 17 years of age or older to use the library computers. Children under 17 may use the library computers with parental consent. Parents must sign a library permission form in order for children to use the computers; children cannot bring a permission slip from home. Once a child is signed up they will be able to access the computers at any time using their library card number.
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