Laramie County Library will host a public reception in the Cottonwood Room from 10am to 12pm on Saturday, July 1 to honor Carey Hartmann as she retires from her position as County Librarian. Having served the library for over 42 years, Carey’s leadership, vision, and experience have helped shape the organization into the outstanding community resource that it is today. Members of the public are invited to attend and celebrate all Carey has done to further the library’s mission to “be a hub for engagement, literacy and learning, and lifelong curiosity and discovery.” The reception will feature refreshments prepared by The Library Café and live musical entertainment performed by the Bluegrass band Pickin Up the Holler. A presentation of remarks from community stakeholders will begin at 10:30am. The event is free and open to all.
Carey began her career with the library in November 1980 when she joined the organization’s Children’s Division. She continued working in positions of increasing responsibility before ultimately being appointed as the County Librarian in August of 2015. She holds a Master of Library Science degree from University of Arizona and has served the library profession through her roles with the American Library Association, Wyoming Library Association, and other committees and organizations.
Her impact on Laramie County Library System is tremendous. Carey led the library through the COVID-19 pandemic, balancing the need to provide vital community services with a dedication to protecting employees and community members. She played a pivotal role in successfully opening the new library building in 2007 and has tirelessly worked to expand the innovative services offered in the Cheyenne, Burns, and Pine Bluffs libraries and on the bookmobile.
The Laramie County Library System congratulates Carey on an incredible career and looks forward to celebrating her achievements at the public reception on July 1.
Contact:
Community & Media Relations at communityrelations@lclsonline.org. For general library information, please call 307-634-3561 or visit https://lclsonline.org.
On Thursday, May 18, Melanie Hornbeck, Laramie County Library System’s Outreach Librarian, received the Carol Mead Leaders in Literacy Award. Dr. Kimberly Gustafson, Director of the University of Wyoming’s Literacy Research Center and Clinic, presented the award to Melanie in front of an adoring group of fans, the kindergarten classes at Afflerbach Elementary School.
Laramie County Library System’s Board of Directors has announced that after over 42 years of remarkable service to the organization, County Librarian and Executive Director Carey Hartmann will retire from Laramie County Library System, effective July 1, 2023. Having served as the library’s Executive Director for nearly eight years, Carey’s leadership, vision, and experience helped shape the organization into the outstanding community resource that it is today.
During the month of February, Laramie County Library’s Cheyenne Book Discussion Group read The Good Lord Bird by James McBride. A work of historical fiction featuring a Black main character and written by a Black author, the novel was chosen to coincide with Black History Month. The book follows the adventures of young Henry Shackleford, a Kansas slave boy who finds himself tangled up with abolitionist John Brown’s ragtag army during the turbulent period in American history known as Bleeding Kansas. Today, the events of Bleeding Kansas along with John Brown’s failed Harpers Ferry armory raid, and his subsequent execution, are recognized as precursors to the American Civil War.
For the month of January, Laramie County Library’s Book Discussion Group read Gillian Flynn’s 2012 novel Gone Girl, a keen psychological thriller tightly woven through a series of twists ending in a subtle cliffhanger. The plot revolves around the novel’s two main characters, Nick and Amy Dunne, a youngish married couple who have recently relocated to Nick’s hometown of Carthage, Missouri. The story is set during the Great Recession in which both Nick and Amy have lost their jobs as writers in New York City. The novel opens on the day of their fifth wedding anniversary and the mysterious disappearance of Amy Elliot Dunne, who also happens to be the living archetype for her psychologist parents’ popular Amazing Amy children’s books.
Laramie County Library System is pleased to announce it has welcomed Beth Cook as its new Deputy Director of Public Service. In her role, Beth will oversee the Circulation & Branch Services, Cataloging Services, Youth & Outreach Services, and Adult Services divisions while ensuring that the library’s standards for customer service and innovation are being consistently met. She will help lead the library in its collection development, strategic planning, public programs and events, community outreach, and technological innovation. Her role is part of the library’s Administrative team and is responsible for helping Laramie County Library System operate on a daily basis while also envisioning and planning for its future growth.
