The possibilities are endless in amateur radio and so are the new books in the newest collection on the shelves of the Great Falls Public Library and other public libraries in Montana. The books were donated by the Great Falls Masonic Amateur Radio Club, which received a grant from the ARRL to provide library patrons with study guides for the Technician, General and Amateur Extra exams administered by the FCC.
John Ross, KD7HKF, the club's vice president, said the Great Falls library's bookmobile will also carry a set of the books. The ARRL grant has also funded collections of books for Montana's Cascade Library, Fairfield Library and the library at the Malmstrom Air Force Base. Meanwhile, the library and the club have agreed that ham radio orientation sessions will be held at the Great Falls library if enough community members are inspired to learn even more.
The relationship between amateur radio clubs and libraries in the US is a strong one. Previous such gifts of books have occurred at other libraries around the US, including the Jackson Amateur Radio Club, which donated books last year to the Madison County Library System in Mississippi and the Cowley County Amateur Radio Club, which made a similar donation earlier this year to the Arkansas City Public Library.