Common Ground: 250 Years of Stories in the Making

On July 4, 2026, the United States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This national milestone—America’s semiquincentennial—invites us to pause and reflect on the nation’s journey: its challenges and achievements, the people who shaped it, and the future we hope to create for generations to come.

At the Laramie County Library System, this moment is an opportunity to bring our community together around stories—national and local, historical and personal—and explore what connects us across time, place, and experience.

LCLS is proud to launch Common Ground: 250 Years of Stories in the Making, a countywide semiquincentennial commemoration that will continue through early summer.

A Countywide Celebration

Rather than focusing on a single event, Common Ground is designed as an unfolding series of experiences that patrons can engage with in many ways. From February through July, programs, exhibits, reading initiatives, and interactive projects will take place across all LCLS locations, offering opportunities for people of all ages to participate.

Some experiences will invite quiet reflection through reading or exhibits. Others will encourage conversation, creativity, or hands-on participation. Together, these elements form a connected celebration that reflects the many ways people interact with history, libraries, and one another.

What You’ll Find Throughout the Celebration

Across the system, the semiquincentennial commemoration will include:

• Public programs such as lectures, film screenings, and discussions
• Traveling and in-house exhibits exploring history, civic ideas, literature, and Wyoming’s cultural landscape
• Reading initiatives and challenges that invite sustained engagement
• Interactive projects that allow community members to contribute their own stories and reflections

All semiquincentennial events and programs will be listed on the online events calendar and identified as part of the Common Ground celebration, making it easy to see what’s happening across all library locations.

A Shared Moment, Many Ways to Participate

At its heart, Common Ground is about participation. There is no single way to take part. Whether you join us once or throughout the year, your participation becomes part of the larger story we are telling together.

Learn More and Stay Connected

A dedicated webpage will serve as the home for the semiquincentennial commemoration, with information about programs, exhibits, reading initiatives, and ways to participate as the celebration unfolds.

Explore upcoming events, learn more about the project, and find your place in Common Ground: 250 Years of Stories in the Making.

As new opportunities are announced, the page will continue to grow—so we invite you to check back often and join us as we reflect on 250 years and imagine what comes next.