For upcoming events at the Laramie County Library, please visit our events page.
Library History
Established in 1886 when Wyoming was still a territory, the Laramie County Library System (LCLS), located in Cheyenne, WY, is the oldest continually operating county library system in the United States. Territorial citizens of Cheyenne rallied for five years to fund the first library building, which opened in 1886. It was located on the third floor of a business building on Carey Avenue, and after that in the basement of what was then known as the Central School. When Wyoming became a state in 1890, state statute dictated library service should be provided for residents by the county government. With funding being withdrawn from city resources, American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie offered $50,000 toward a new building in 1899. Three years later, the Laramie County Library opened on May 19, 1902, on the southeast corner of 22nd Street and Capitol Avenue, offering 10,000 square feet of space.
Almost sixty years later, the need arose for a larger building, and on October 19, 1969, a new building of nearly 38,000 square feet was opened to the public, located at 2800 Central Avenue.
Once that facility was built, ownership of the historic Carnegie Library building reverted to the City of Cheyenne. No one came forward with adequate funding for major renovations and repairs needed to bring the building up to code; sadly, it was torn down in 1969.
On September 8, 2007, the new Laramie County Library in Cheyenne opened at 2200 Pioneer Avenue. Thanks to money approved by voters, the new library is a three-story, 100,000+ square foot experience that has become a destination for the community.
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
- My Library Place, a spectacular interactive literacy center for children created and installed by The Burgeon Group.
- Five meeting rooms for the community, each with extensive audio-visual services, and eight study rooms.
- A 50-station computer center and training classroom (plus 23 more stations just for kids and teens).
- The Capital Room, a quiet reading area that serves as the living room for the community.
- An expanded collection of books, audiobooks, movies, music and more.
- The Loft, an area made just for teens (with input from the award-winning Youth Advisory Board).
- Self-check stations, with anticipated usage of 90% by library patrons.
- First LEED-certified public building in Wyoming (Gold Certification for Leadership in Energy and Environment Design).
- Named 2008 Library of the Year by Library Journal/Gale & listed as a Top Ten Destination Library by Nancy Pearl in USA Today.
The Weather Station
The Library’s Weather Station, located on the Laramie County Library roof, was installed in 2012 with the American Library Association’s Discover Earth exhibit (funded by the National Science Foundation). The Library’s Information Technology and Facilities teams installed the weather station in consultation with local meteorologist Don Day, Jr. to ensure it was situated for maximum accuracy. Day donated the webcam to enhance the weather station’s presence, and provide a view of the western sky.
Directions
Heading South on I-25:
Take the US-85 S/Central Ave exit (Exit 12), toward I-25 Business Loop.
Turn Left onto US-95 S/Central Ave.
Turn right to stay on Central Ave.
Turn right onto W. 24th St.
Turn Left onto Pioneer Ave.
Library will be on the right.
Heading North on I-25:
Take Missile Drive exit (Exit 10).
Turn right onto Missile Dr / WY-210.
Turn left onto W 24th St.
Turn right onto Pioneer Ave.
Library will be on the right.
Heading West on I-80:
Merge onto US-85 N via Exit 362 toward Central Ave.
Turn Left onto E 22nd St.
Turn right onto Carey Ave.
Turn left onto W 23rd St.
Library will be on the left.
Heading East on I-80:
Merge onto I-25 N/US-87 N via Exit 359C toward Casper.
Take the Missile Drive Exit (Exit 10D).
Turn right onto Missile Drive/WY-210.
Turn left onto W 24th St.
Turn right onto Pioneer Ave.
Library will be on the right.