About Us

Our Mission & Vision

The WSCL mission is to provide access to a diverse collection of resources serving our community’s educational, cultural, and recreational needs.

Our History: Since 1996

The library began as Lakeside Library in response to the lack of a visiting Bookmobile. The groundwork was laid in Debbie Effertz’s (now Spaulding) coffee shop in Lakeside. On January 26, 1996, the founders and 32 volunteers, opened the library in a space donated by Bill Brass, Sr. at 162 Bills Road. Everything was donated – materials, labor and books. After two years, the library moved to the Eisenlohr Lakeside Business Center, 100 Bierney Creek Road, boasting 200 patrons and 4500 books. The Lakeside Library was renamed West Shore Community Library in 2002 to acknowledge the community support of Lakeside, Somers, Rollins, Dayton, Elmo, Proctor and Big Arm. 

After almost 23 years in the Lakeside Business Center, we moved again, for what we hope is the last time, as we finally have our own home in the newly expanded Volunteer Park. WSCL is forever grateful for the generosity bestowed on the library with the gift of the building at 7191 US Hwy 93 S. This is a dream come true. Widespread support for the gift was voiced by the community at a meeting hosted by the Flathead County Parks Committee on December 2, 2019. Plans were approved, and thanks to so many volunteer hours, our now sizeable collection of nearly 16,000 books and materials was moved and ready for opening day on October 1, 2020.  With a 25+ year history of volunteerism, it is only fitting that WSCL now calls Volunteer Park home!

Current Board of Directors

• Dennis King, President
• Debbie Meiers, VP/Secretary
• Gale Thornburg, Treasurer
• Karen Almdale
• Susan Bagley
• Carol Cory
• Jeff Lewis
• Nancy Pensa
• Ellie Stimpson
• Shelia Zohrer