Riverton Library welcomes new director and announces youth STEM exhibit

The Fremont County Library meeting held on March 18, 2025, focused on several key initiatives and updates regarding library services and community engagement. The meeting began with the introduction of a new librarian, who will join the Riverton branch in July. With 20 years of experience and a master's in library science, she is expected to bring fresh ideas and valuable expertise to the team.

Following this, the discussion shifted to various programs at the library branches. The Lander Library is currently hosting Youth Art Month, showcasing children's artwork from local elementary schools, which has attracted many families to the library. The Riverton branch has launched a hands-on STEM exhibit in collaboration with the Science Zone in Casper, featuring activities like launching paper rockets and working with circuits. This exhibit aims to engage students and is planned to run through mid-April.

DuBois, the manager of the DuBois branch, reported on outreach efforts to the Crow Heart School, where she conducts monthly story times. This initiative reflects the library's commitment to serving smaller communities and ensuring access to library resources.

The meeting also highlighted the results of a recent community survey aimed at assessing library services. The survey received 1,918 responses, with over half of the participants being long-term residents. Key findings indicated that 79% of respondents consider themselves regular library users, and there is a strong interest in both print and digital resources. Notably, 97% of respondents view the library as a valuable resource.

Concerns raised in the survey included social issues such as homelessness and substance abuse, as well as political divisiveness in the community. A significant portion of comments focused on the library's collection, with many respondents expressing opposition to censorship and book banning.

The meeting concluded with discussions on the strategic planning process, which will involve staff in developing an implementation plan based on the survey results. The library aims to enhance online services and content, reflecting changing user behaviors post-pandemic.

Overall, the meeting underscored the library's dedication to community engagement, innovative programming, and responsiveness to user needs, setting a positive direction for future initiatives.