Mission Statement:
It is the mission of the Darby Community Public Library to provide free and viable library services to our patrons and to augment and enhance the educational, recreational and cultural needs of our community.

Focus Statement:
The focus of the Darby Community Public Library is to provide programs and activities that recognize the educational, cultural, and recreational needs of the south valley community.

The geographic area covered is the Darby School District of Ravalli County.  The northern boundary is at the north Gold Creek loop; the southern boundary is the Idaho border.

Services:

The Darby Community Public Library endeavors to update and retain a wide collection of materials for free public use.  In addition, the following are some of the services provided:

* Free public access computers and internet access
* Public access to color and black & white printers
* Numerous software programs
* Fax, copier, laminator and electric typewriter
* Instructions on computer use
* VHS player and monitor for conference room use
* Job placement info in cooperation with the US Unemployment Office
* Small group reading / meeting room
* Renewal of materials via telephone
* Tutoring space for Literacy Volunteers of America (LVA) students
* Montana-oriented video tapes and DVDs
* Visitor and tourist information
* Placement for Darby School’s “School to Work” students
* Extensive collection of books by Montana authors
* Yearly purchase of “Bitterroot Valley Best Sellers”
* Preschool Story Hour in Cooperation with the daycare centers
* Info Trac – a database access to current and archived journals & magazines
* Reference needs assistance
* Free Montana radio reading services for the visually impaired
* Extensive child-oriented software materials
* Reports and studies from local governments

* Montana state Tax Forms available during tax season

Statistics for 2004

* 3,692  Library visitors
* 1,492 Items circulated
* 1,020 Persons used the free public access computers

Statistics for 2005

* 9,021 Library visitors
* 3,558 Items circulated
* 2,693 public access computer uses

Statistics for 2006

* 14,784 Library visitors
* 5,200 Items circulated
* 5,615 public access computer uses

Finances

The Darby Community Public Library is financed by the revenue received from a 3.5 mill levy from the Darby Community Library District.  In 2002, we also received $2,250 from Ravalli County and about $600 from the State.  This revenue is used to pay our Library Director, as well as the utilities, book purchases, supplies and other operating costs.  The remainder of our income comes from donations, fundraiser's and grants.  A complete accounting of our finances is available at City Hall.

The community has been tremendously supportive of both the new library construction project, and of the ongoing operations.  We thank everyone who has helped us through the years with their donations of time and money.