article by Stephanie Hobby | photo courtesy of Billings Public Library

The Billings Public Library has been a cornerstone of the Magic City since its inception in 1901. The Children’s Library, in particular, is known for its lively activities to support families during the crucial early childhood years. Allynne Ellis is the Children’s Librarian and is known for developing creative ways to interest Billings’ youngest residents.

BOOKS AND BABIES (Ages 0-2 and caregivers): There are two sessions: one focuses on reading books and singing songs, and the other focuses on music. Singing lyrics and rhythms are a great way to slow speech and build vocabulary.

TINY TALES STORY TIME (ages 2-3) features short stories and songs, often using a flannel board and extensive interaction with parents and caregivers.

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME (ages 3-6) prepares children for preschool or kindergarten and focuses on sitting and listening, following directions, phonics, and vocabulary. “By the time they leave our programs to head to preschool, they’re ready,” Ellis said. “Story time programs also have a craft attached to them, so we’re working on fine motor skills like cutting, gluing, colors, and numbers.”

1000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN encourages parents to read at least one book per day to their children, with games and incentives at every level. “I really want to encourage our parents to take the 10, 15, 20 minutes to sit down with their child and read a book for them as well as for their child.” Said Ellis. “As you continue to do that, your child grows up having a wonderful sense of coziness and loveliness associated with parents and reading.”

GOOD BEAR DAY (all ages). Originally designed to celebrate Teddy Roosevelt and the teddy bear, Good Bear Day is a nearly 40-year tradition at the library and typically occurs on the Saturday before Halloween. Children come in their pajamas for a bedtime story and leave a stuffed friend for an overnight “sleepover.” The next morning, they watch a video of what their friend was up to all night. “It's one of my favorite events, and listening to the kids’ laughter is always an amazing thing,” Ellis said. “Hearing their shout-outs to their stuffed animals as they watch that video is just so cute.”

ZOOMONTANA animal ambassadors are regular visitors in the summer and fall, and Ellis plans story-time books around which animal will be visiting.

YELLOWSTONE VALLEY ANIMAL SHELTER is another partner of the library, facilitating the CAT TAILS PROGRAM, where children can sign up for a 15-minute session to read to a cat (as much as it is possible to read to a cat!) The benefits are two-fold: YVAS coordinators educate participants on cat behavior and body language, and cats and kittens have a higher adoption rate afterwards.

READ TO A DOG is in partnership with Intermountain Therapy Animals and Pet Partners, two well-known, established service animal programs. Once a month, service dogs visit the library, and families can sign up for 15-minute sessions to read to a dog. “It’s a great opportunity for kids to be able to practice their reading in a very low-stress environment. Nobody is staring at them, nobody is anxious,” Ellis said, adding that busy parents can feel rushed, but not so with dogs.

ADVENTURES IN MUSIC partners with the Billings Symphony to host this free, annual performance at Alberta Bair Theater. Afterwards, patrons can visit the instrument petting zoo at the library, hosted by local music stores, where children can try a variety of instruments. Smaller performances take place throughout the year at the library.

LANGUAGE STORY TIMES Billings Library hosts three story times in different languages: Spanish, ASL, and Chinese. “It’s very important to the children’s team to make everyone feel welcome from our community,” Ellis said. Volunteers host story times in multiple languages, encouraging children to learn a new language or embrace their own.

TAKE AND MAKE KITS crafts were a regular activity after story times, but when COVID hit, Ellis and her team had to find creative alternatives, so they designed the free Take and Make Kits, complete with supplies and instructions. They’ve continued the effort, making 100 kits per month, which are typically gone by the third day.

STORY TRAIL is another Billings Library initiative in which pages of a children’s book are laminated and displayed on posts throughout Josephine Crossing to encourage outdoor movement and literacy.

Ellis has been the Children’s Librarian since September of 2019, but had been with the Billings Library for 14 years before that, and says she takes immense pride in her team and the place the library holds in this community, and loves seeing former story time participants as they grow to love reading and continue using the library.

“I feel like I had a part in that,” she said. “I’m most proud of our space and reputation in the community, and the love that the community has for us. I'm proud of that, because that means we're doing a good job and that people recognize how much we care about this community.”

For a complete calendar of events, visit the library events.

Originally printed in the February 2026 issue of Simply Local Magazine

Check this article out in the digital issue of Simply Local here!

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