A tall, midcentury brick facade with a sign that reads "Library Building."As a courtesy, the MSU Billings Library offers limited services to Billings community members and university alumni.

Research Help

The library is happy to help with questions of a scholarly nature or queries about the university. Chat with us online, email us at library@msubillings.edu, call us at 406-657-1662, or stop by our Ask Here Desk on the 2nd floor during our operating hours.

For popular reading materials, genealogy help, or questions about local history, we highly recommend contacting the Billings Public Library.

Checkouts

Library Cards

Library card are available on request for community borrowers who are at least 16 years of age. Your address must be in Yellowstone County or one of the surrounding counties (Stillwater, Golden Valley, Rosebud, Treasure, Big Horn, or Carbon). The signature of a parent or guardian is required for users 16–17 years of age.

To register for a card, please present the following items at the Ask Here Desk on the 2nd floor:

Examples:

  • Driver's license
  • Passport
  • Native American tribal ID
  • Military ID
  • Permanent resident card (green card)

Examples:

  • Vehicle insurance or registration card
  • Voter registration card
  • Current utility or telephone bill
  • Checking or savings account statement
  • Current tax statement
  • Rental receipt, lease or deed
  • Checkbook with printed name and address
  • Recently postmarked item of mail
  • Valid fishing license with current address
  • Valid hunting license with current address

Borrowing Policies

You can check out books and other items by taking them to the 2nd floor Ask Here Desk or the nearby self-checkout station. Items may be loaned for 3 weeks and renewed once for an additional 3 weeks. To manage loans, please log into your library account or call 406-657-1662. Although the library does not generate overdue fees for items not returned by their due dates, you will be charged for the cost of replacements if items are lost or are not returned within a reasonable period.

Community borrowers can check out up to 5 items total from the following types:

  • Books
  • Periodicals (journals, magazines)
  • DVDs
  • Government documents

Further materials are available for in-library use, but may not be checked out.

  • Newspapers
  • Reference (style guides, dictionaries, encyclopedias)
  • Special collections

For Interlibrary Loan services, alumni can contact ill@msubillings.edu to create an account.

Computers & Printing

The Library is phasing out printing services for community patrons. The kiosk for loading funds onto print cards will be removed by the end of March 2024. Existing cards with loaded funds will continue to function until the Pharos software is retired in late spring.

4 computer stations with green chairs lined against a stairwell railing.

The library has 2 computers available for community patrons on the 2nd floor. Computer use is limited to 2 hours per day. To register for a login card (which is different from a community borrower card), please inquire at the Ask Here Desk.

For scanning, you are welcome to use the large-format KIC scanner on the 2nd floor.