The Lincoln County Public Libraries have a full calendar of events scheduled for the community during August. All library events are free and open to the public.

The Libby and Eureka branches of the library host story time for preschool-age children. Story time in Eureka takes place every Thursday at 11:30 a.m. In Libby, story time is every Tuesday at 10 a.m.

The Troy branch offers chess games every Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. All ages and experience levels of players are welcome to attend. Participants are encouraged to bring a partner and their favorite board and come to play. Some boards are available at the library, as well as players, teachers and mentors.

Operation Paperback is continuing until Aug. 15. The public libraries will be accepting donations of lightly used paperbacks to be sent to American military personnel abroad.

The summer reading short story and art contest is scheduled to end Aug. 15. Participants should create a piece of art or a short story of no more than 5,000 words that illustrates this idea: A man sprints down the sidewalk, looking over his shoulder. Half a block away, someone is chasing and gaining on him. Why is the man running? Is he a good guy running from evil? Or is he the villain? All submissions are due by 6 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Libby library.

Aug. 1: Eureka Friends of the Library used book sale at the Historic Village during the Eureka Montana Quilt Show.

Aug. 4, 6 p.m.: Libby Friends of the Library meeting at the Libby library.

Aug. 5, 11 a.m.: Eureka Friends of the Library meeting at the Eureka library.

Aug. 5, 4 p.m.: Celebrate National Watermelon Day during the Libby library summer afternoon program for children ages five to 12.

Aug. 7, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.: Libby Friends of the Library book sale, entrance is on the Main Street side, across from the post office.

Aug. 11, 6 p.m.: Local author H.M. Bowker will sign books, answer questions and read an excerpt from her new novel, I Can’t Breathe! This event is at the Cabinet Mountain Brewery in Libby.

Aug. 12, noon: Lemonade on the Lawn at the Libby library.

Aug. 12, 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.: The end of summer reading event at the Troy library will feature Steve and Patty Johnson for a dinosaur display and discussion.

Aug. 12, 4 p.m.: Libby library summer afternoon program for kids between ages five and 12. The program features a demonstration of performing everyday tasks while blindfolded or with the opposite hand.

Aug. 19, 4 p.m.: “Chalk on the walk,” summer afternoon program at the Libby library for children ages five to 12.

Aug. 21, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.: Special Libby Friends of the Library book sale. Enter using the Main Street entrance across the street from the post office.

Aug. 22, noon: All Lincoln County libraries will be closed for a special celebration in Fireman’s Park honoring retiring librarian Lynn Zimmerman and the volunteers of the various libraries.

Aug. 26, noon: Lemonade on the Lawn features Neal Lewing and “Singing the Westward Legacy.” The program will examine the role of music in American history, heritage and cultural evolution.

Aug. 26, 4 p.m.: The summer afternoon program for children aged five to 12 will celebrate the end of summer with a marshmallow roast.

Aug. 28: Amnesty Day. The last Friday of every month is Amnesty Day at the library. All materials less than 90 days overdue and returned in good condition can be returned without fees and penalties. Interlibrary loan materials are not included.

Aug. 29, 11 a.m.: Hot Drink and a Good Book at the Libby Library will feature discussion of The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult.