The Wyoming State Library (WSL) has approved $8.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act grant funding for nine Wyoming libraries. The grant funding stems from the Wyoming Library Multi-Purpose Community Facility Program (WLMCF), a federal subgrant program funded by the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund. The program awarded $12.6 million earlier this year to Wyoming library construction projects, bringing the grant program’s grand total to just over $21 million.

Earlier this summer, additional money became available, and the WSL accepted a second round of applications from Wyoming libraries. Seven libraries received funding for new projects, and three libraries were awarded additional funds to compensate for inflationary costs impacting projects already approved.

“Everyone has done such a fantastic job in this whole process,” said Wyoming State Librarian Abby Beaver. “We are very excited to see how each library’s project creates new and vital resources that will positively impact their local communities.”

With the second round of awards, Johnson County libraries received the largest award ($2,652,300) to improve the Kaycee Branch Library. The WSL awarded Albany County Public Library (ACPL) $1,238,869 for the second phase of their multi-purpose spaces project, which began with the first round of subgrants; the ACPL also received an additional $246,773 to cover first phase inflationary costs.

Campbell County Public Library System received $1,000,000 for the Wright Branch Library project; Park County Public Library received $889,452,80 for the Powell Library building project; and the Natrona County Public Library received $90,272 to enhance their business center and improve access to certain areas of their library.  

The Laramie County Library System will soon begin a two-part expansion of rural services and received $280,680 to begin this project.  Uinta County and Washakie County Libraries received $85,049 and $231,556 respectively to cover inflationary costs for previously approved projects.     

The WSL made a “conditional” award of $1,751,550.50 to the Sheridan County Public Library (SCPL) while the SCPL determines which parts of the proposed project this grant will fund.

The WLMCF is a competitive subgrant program that provides funding for library construction and renovation projects that support work, education, and health monitoring. All projects address community needs the Covid-19 public health emergency created, exacerbated, or made apparent.  Questions about the WLMCF may be directed to Abby Beaver, Wyoming State Librarian, at abby.beaver@wyo.gov or (307) 777-5913.

The Wyoming State Library was first established in 1871 as the Wyoming Territorial Library. By statute, it is the official repository of state government documents and is responsible for the extension and development of library services statewide. The WSL manages the statewide WYLDcat library catalog, the GoWYLD research databases and electronic resources and the Digital Collection Suite of Wyoming historical documents and information. Learn more about the WSL at library.wyo.gov.