Mike Kamber Appointed as Library’s IT Manager

Laramie County Library System is excited to announce that Mike Kamber, a long-time employee of the library, has been hired as the organization’s Information Technology Services Manager. In his new role, Mike will oversee the management of software, telecommunications, and hardware throughout all three library facilities. He will also ensure that the library provides patrons and employees with access to cutting-edge technology while protecting the organization by adhering to the latest cybersecurity recommendations and innovations.

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1% Specific Purposes Sales and Use Tax Election

The Specific Purpose Sales and Use Tax (often referred to as SPOT) provides a way for voters to approve local projects that will be paid for with a one cent sales tax. Unlike bonds, this tax does not put governing bodies in future debt by making improvements today. Most Specific Purpose Sales and Use Taxes have taken three to five years to collect, at which point the extra penny drops off until the voters see another need for improvement in their community.

There are 14 propositions (74 items) on the ballot that will be presented to the voters on November 2, 2021. Please review the informational brochure linked below for more information on this year’s proposed projects.

Click here to review information about the 1% specific purposes sales and use tax election.

 

Welcoming New Board Member Keyosha Atwater to the Library

Laramie County Library System recently welcomed Keyosha Atwater to its Board of Directors. Keyosha’s first term on the Board will last from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024. Board members for Laramie County Library System are appointed by the County Commissioners who are required by Wyoming State statutes to provide library services to their constituents. Individuals who are interested in serving on the Laramie County Library Board must fill out an application and turn it into the Commissioner’s office at least two months in advance to an open position. Every time we welcome a new member to our Board of Directors, we like to offer the community an opportunity to get to know a little bit about them and their goals for Laramie County Library System. Keyosha shared a little bit about herself and her future contributions to Laramie County Library System.

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Laramie County Library System’s Strategic Plan For Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023

Laramie County Library System recently concluded its strategic planning process and has released a new strategic plan which includes revised vision, mission, and commitment statements to help the organization meet the needs of the Laramie County community. The strategic plan establishes a direction and vision for future library services, and allows the organization to purposefully plan for the continued expansion and progression of resources, collections, outreach efforts, and more.
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Summer Reading Drawing Prize Winners

Our 2021 Summer Reading Challenge ended on August 16. With thousands of participants, millions of minutes read, and lots of prizes passed out, this year’s challenge was an absolute success! Keep an eye out in the coming months for more activities and reading challenges in Beanstack.

To review a list of our youth, teen, adult, and treasure chest drawing prize winners, please click here.

What is Noir Fiction?

Laramie County Library’s Virtual Book Discussion Group recently discussed Oyinkan Braithwaite’s My Sister, the Serial Killer.  Some reviewers referred to the novel as darkly humorous and stylistically noir.  But what is meant by the term “noir” when used to describe fiction?
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Narratives of the Possible: Artists’ Books

Featured image: “Tongue-tied” by Toni Mosley of Auckland, New Zealand

Introduction from exhibit curator, Mark E. Ritchie:

We all know what a book is, right? 

We generally think of a book as a vessel that contains words, sometimes images, is made of paper and usually presented in a codex format – a sewn or glued spine that assembles a group of pages to be experienced in a sequence. 

In the West, that sequence moves from left to right. Artists’ books harness these relationships, challenge them and sometimes engage other book traditions. A few artists in this exhibition use scrolls and accordion structures. Some of the artists include books that may have multiple sequence experiences, or open in unexpected ways, and are comprised of text, images and objects that engage with the sculptural aspects of being a book, but may not look like that thing we consider a book.

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