BOZEMAN— Bozeman Health has partnered with the Bozeman Public Library Foundation, making a $50,000 donation toward a new learning lab that will allow the Bozeman Library to significantly expand its free cooking, nutrition, and arts classes. 
 
Dubbed The Kitchen Table, the lab will feature sinks, a refrigerator, ovens, and a large cooktop for hands-on workshops and demonstrations. The new space is part of a $5.6 million Library renovation that is funded almost exclusively by donations from private individuals, foundations, and local businesses such as Bozeman Health. The Kitchen Table will be housed next to a new technology-focused learning lab, named The Workbench, just inside the Library entrance.  

 
Kitchens, labs for 3D printing and other technology, and even recording studios have become popular additions to public libraries as they adapt to changing community needs and new ways of learning. “The Bozeman Public Library exists to help people gain knowledge in myriad ways to improve their lives,” explains Library Director Susan Gregory. “At The Kitchen Table, young people will learn empowering new cooking skills, seniors and people with medical issues will discover new recipes and techniques to improve their health, and cultural groups will have an opportunity to share their food traditions with neighbors.” She notes that the lab design will also accommodate painting and other arts classes for children and adults. 

 
Bozeman Health focuses on nutrition as a priority area of their community benefit work because consuming a healthful diet and finding opportunities to move each day are critical components of overall health and wellness. Community stakeholders in the latest Community Health Needs Assessment rated nutrition and physical activity among the greatest health issues. "As a family physician and Lifestyle medicine provider I work and volunteer in our community in areas focused on wellness, nutrition and food access,” said Lifestyle Medicine physician Dr. Joe Sofianek. He described Bozeman Health’s inspiration to partner with the library because the “investment in the kitchen classroom space at our library creates free and accessible public spaces where community partners can gather to share their expertise in healthy lifestyle choices. We know that a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and consuming more and varied fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes in our diets lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some types of cancer. The Kitchen Table is a great community space to learn to prepare healthy, tasty, and simple foods and to share other workplace wellness initiatives.” 

 
Construction at the Library has already begun, with work currently focused on building new meeting rooms, quiet reading areas, and a new central seating area. The learning labs, which will also include a small recording studio, are expected to open to the public in late fall next year. A pop-up library collection in the building’s large community room is currently available for browsing and checking out books while construction has made some of the major collections temporarily inaccessible. The children’s room will remain open throughout the renovation. 

 
For more information about the renovation or Bozeman Health’s gift to the Library, please contact Jen Shoemaker, Bozeman Public Library Foundation Development and Communications Manager, at 406-582-2437 or jen@bozemanlibraryfoundation.org. To learn more about Bozeman Health’s community benefit work, please contact Brianne Rogers, Bozeman Health’s media relations liaison, at briannerogers@gmail.com.

 
About the Bozeman Public Library and the Bozeman Public Library Foundation: 
The Bozeman Public Library has created opportunities that inspire curiosity, exploration, and connection since 1891. The 501(c)(3) Public Library Foundation raises funds for capital improvements and to increase and enhance the quality of programs, services, and events at the Library.