Access Our Library Catalog and Online Databases
(New databases available, see below for details...)

To access our library catalog online, click here.

Hearst Free Library offers access to a variety of research databases and indexes. These databases are made available in part from funds allocated by the Montana State Legislature. Please let your library and your legislators know how important access to this material is to you. Some of the databases below are subscription databases that may require a password or a user ID. If you are prompted for that information, please call the Hearst Free Library at 563-6932.

Heritagequest Online's source document holdings have soared to over 140 million census names, over 24,000 family and local histories, and 1.9 million genealogical and local history periodical citations, making it one of America's largest storehouses of online genealogical information. HeritageQuest Online (HQO) offers high-use data, unique books and records, and an informative comprehensive periodical index for genealogy enthusiasts at every level.

InfoTrac Databases (magazines & journals)
These databases offer article citations and full text articles from magazines and journals, including popular interest magazines, academic & professional journals and children's publications. This service will require a password if used from outside the library. If you are prompted for that information, please call the Hearst Free Library at 563-6932.

Auto Repair Reference Center (when accessing at home)

Auto Repair Reference Center (when accessing in the library)

This automotive database includes 150 auto repair manuals on all auto repair procedures for about 21,000 vehicles; more than 56,000 Technical Service Bulletins; wiring diagrams; and labor time estimates.This automotive database includes 150 easy-to-read, illustrated auto repair manuals on all auto repair procedures for about 21,000 vehicles; more than 56,000 Technical Service Bulletins; wiring diagrams; and labor time estimates. Text and many images will be available in PDF and GIF format. Every major manufacturer for domestic and imported vehicles is represented including auto repair manuals for most vintage makes starting as far back as 1954. New repair procedures/updates will be added continuously, and Technical Service Bulletins will be added on a monthly or quarterly basis.

The database is part of an ongoing project made possible by the Hearst Free Library, which pays the annual subscription fees through a statewide license made available by the Montana State Library. The statewide license is only possible with the support of the Montana State Library, The MSL Networking Task Force, The Montana Library Network, Governor Brian Schweitzer, and our state legislators. You must have a valid library card from Hearst Free Library to use this database. The database also requires a user ID and password. Call the Hearst Free Library at (406) 563-6932 to get login information.

Small Engine Repair Reference Center (when accessing at home)

Small Engine Repair Reference Center (when accessing in the library)

Small Engine Repair Reference Center™ is the definitive online tool for small engine repair assistance, including: ATVs, commercial mowers, farm tractors, generators, motorcycles, marine (boats), outdoor power equipment, PWC (personal watercraft/jet ski), snowblowers, snowmobiles, tillers and other small engines. This comprehensive resource contains 407 reference books in full text with original photos and illustrations that guide the user through every job. The database often contains more than 25 years of an engine model, and offers assistance in providing routine maintenance, such as tune-ups and brake service, as well as extensive repairs involving engine and transmission disassembly. Also, the database allows users to select a type of product, specific brand, specific model/engine type, and specific area of that model/engine type. Additionally, model numbers will also be searchable.

Environment Complete (when accessing at home)

Environment Complete (when accessing in the library)

Environment Complete™ offers deep coverage in applicable areas of agriculture, ecosystem ecology, energy, renewable energy sources, natural resources, marine & freshwater science, geography, pollution & waste management, environmental technology, environmental law, public policy, social impacts, urban planning, and more. Environment Complete contains more than 1,772,000 records from more than 1,660 domestic and international titles going back to the 1940s (including 1,094 active core titles) as well as more than 100 monographs. The database also contains full text for more than 600 journals, including many of the most used journals in the discipline, such as Environment (back to 1975), Ecologist, Conservation Biology, etc. Additionally, Environment Complete provides full text for more than 100 monographs, such as Encyclopedia of World Environmental History (3 volumes), Advances in Water Treatment & Environmental Management, etc.

CINAHL Nursing Full Text (when accessing at home)

CINAHL Nursing Full Text (when accessing in the library)

CINAHL® with Full Text is the world's most comprehensive source of full text for nursing & allied health journals, providing full text for more than 580 journals indexed in CINAHL. Of those, 280 are not found with full text in any version of Academic Search™, Health Source®, or Nursing & Allied Health Collection™. This authoritative file contains full text for many of the most used journals in the CINAHL index - with no embargo. With full-text coverage dating back to 1981, CINAHL with Full Text is the definitive research tool for all areas of nursing and allied health literature.

Montana Periodical Index
This index provides article citations to periodicals published in and about Montana.

Staff

 John Finn, Director
Colleen Ferguson, Assistant Director

Jamie Costle, Library Aide
Susan Costle, Library Aide
Rosemarie McLean, Library Aide
Laurie Pecukonis, Cataloging Librarian
Judy Strand, Library Aide

"In a commanding position on Main Street, with lines of impressive, classical beauty stands the Hearst Free Public Library, a gift to the people of Anaconda from Mrs. Phoebe Hearst.  The first impression one receives is of massive substantiality, an effect which is heightened by the strikingly Grecian purity of outline and the almost severe use of ornamentation which by itself would give an impression of stiffness were it not for the graceful strength imparted to the design by the great spreading arches of the windows.  The building is one of the best type of library structure, and has not its equal in Montana; it will compare favorably with any public building in the West."

Thus begins the news item reporting the opening of the Hearst Free Library in the Anaconda Standard of June 12, 1898.

Although by 1895 she had sold her interest in the copper mining company here, Mrs. Hearst never lost her affection for the community. When she came here in 1895 and asked the city fathers what she could do for the town, they hesitated.  She finally said, "I have an idea, I have in mind a library."  They replied, "That is what we need, and what we want."  Asked by the gracious lady why they hadn't told her sooner, they replied it cost too much money and they did not want to impose on her.

The Hearst Free Library is as a beautiful example of a classic library built at the turn of the 20th century. No expense was spared. The doors were open to the public on June 1, 1898, and remain open and ready to serve the reading community of Anaconda--more than a century later.