This year’s city Christmas ornament is the Great Falls Public Library.

The Great Falls-Cascade County Historic Preservation Advisory Commission selected the library earlier this year as the 2024 ornament in the city’s series of collectable ornaments that feature historic places in the city and Cascade County.

They city formally announced the ornament two days after the City Commission voted to reduce funding for the library after months of discussions.

Susie McIntyre, library director, was named librarian of the year and the library board was also honored by the Montana Library Association in April.

City votes to terminate 1993 library management agreement, approve new document

The numbered ornaments, designed by local artist Sheree Nelson, are available for a $15 at the city planning office in the Civic Center, the Great Falls Public Library, The History Museum, Cassiopeia Books and Dragonfly Dry Goods.

City staff will be selling the ornaments at the Christmas Stroll again this year in front of the Downtown Great Falls Association office at 318 Central Ave.

Proceeds support the preservation of historic places in Great Falls and Cascade County.

The Great Falls Library system was founded in 1890, but by the late 1950s the old Carnegie library was struggling to serve the growing population.

Head librarian Alma Jacobs led the campaign to bond a new library building, which was approved by the voters in 1965.

Architects McIver and Hess designed the building in the mid-century modern style, which suited library staff’s desire for simplicity and fiscal responsibility.

The building was completed in 1967, and has served the city ever since.

The library ornament is the 17th in the city’s series.

Past ornaments have celebrated such iconic historic resources as Gibson Park, Milwaukee Depot, the 10th Street Bridge, Fort Shaw, the Belt Theater, CMR High, Great Falls High, Ursuline Center and the Black Eagle Dam.

Past ornaments can also be purchased through the city planning office.