[WLA-All] For Immediate Release, Laramie County Library System(Cheyenne, Wyo.) named 2008 Library of the Year

[Erin Kinney]

Laramie County Library System named 2008 Library of the Year
Krista Rafanello, Marketing Manager
RBI Publishing Group
(646) 746-6420
Krista.rafanello at reedbusiness.com
 
 
New York, NY, June 7, 2008* It is no accident that more than 80 percent
of the residents that Laramie County Library System (LCLS) serves have
library cards. Cutting-edge technology, a newly constructed building,
highly effective publicity, dedicated staff, exemplary service to the
city of Cheyenne and the county, all of these reasons and more make
Laramie County Library System of Cheyenne, Wyo., Library Journal and
Gale Cengage*s2008 Library of the Year. Each year LJ andGaleselect a
library whose high standards, innovative services, and commitment to
their community make them extraordinary. 
LCLS*s success is due in part to a recent and carefully planned vision
that grew out of its relationship with patrons. After years of operating
in a cramped and *dingy* environment, the library received 55 percent of
the resident*s votes for a proposition that added a one penny per dollar
sales tax to the state*s five percent for the sole purpose of building a
new main library. The new library*s design embraces the capital city*s
urban and civic character, as well as the wide open spaces of
surrounding landscape. It also achieved a Silver certification as a LEED
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), making it a shining
example for local developers and citizens. 
 
The main building, the system*s two rural branches, new bookmobile,
partnerships with the community college and University of Wyoming, the
2003 launched Literary Connection, a two-day event featuring five
acclaimed authors, and strong partnerships with agencies and
organizations such as the YMCA, Cheyenne Boys and Girls Club, and Susan
B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, exemplify only a portion of LCLS*s
outreach efforts. 
 
In addition, LCLS offers targeted programs tailored for homeschooling
families and age groups ranging from infants to seniors. More than 200
homeschool families get regular mailings and specific programs to meet
their needs; small group computer classes are offered to older adults;
and the 40 adolescents that make up the LCLS Youth Advisory Board meet
monthly to discuss and plan teen services and collections. 
 
Laramie County Librarian Lucie Osborn will outline LCLS*s success story
when the library is honored at a special ceremony on Monday, June 30,
during the annual American Library Association conference in Anaheim,
CA. The award includes a $10,000 cash prize.
 
For more information and to read the feature article that appears in
the June 15th issue of Library Journal magazine, visit
http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6568073.html. 
 
Judges for the award were Norma Blake, State Librarian, New Jersey
State Library; Leslie Burger, Immediate Past-President, American Library
Association; Tina Creguer, Senior Vice President, Circulating & Trade
Publishing, Gale; Meribah Mansfield, Director, Worthington Libraries,
OH; Susan K. Nutter, Vice Provost & Director of Libraries, North
Carolina State University. Judges also included LJ*s Francine Fialkoff,
Editor-in-Chief, John Berry, Editor-at-Large, Rebecca Miller, Executive
Editor, and others. 
 
For more information on theLaramie County Library System, contact Troy
Rumpf
Manager, Community & Media Relations, Laramie County Library System,
307.773.7225 or TRumpf at lclsonline.org 
For more information on Gale, contact Tina Creguer at 248.699.8442 or
Tina.Creguer at cengage.com 
For more information on Library Journal, contact Francine Fialkoff at
Library Journal
646 746 6807 or fialkoff at reedbusiness.com
 
Troy Rumpf
Manager, Community & Media Relations
Laramie County Library System
2200 Pioneer Avenue
Cheyenne, WY  82001-3610
307.773.7225
www.LCLSonline.org