INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE THE ECONOMIST FEATURES LARAMIE COUNTY LIBRARY

One of the world’s most read and respected magazines has just featured the nation’s best library.

In the latest issue of The Economist, readers will find the article “Why Cowboys Read” which explores the tremendous success that the Laramie County Library has had.

“We received an initial contact from them about a month ago after they had heard about all of the awards and recognition the library was receiving,” said Troy Rumpf, manager of community relations for the library.

Earlier this year, Library Journal named the Laramie County Library System the national Library of the Year. USA Today also proclaimed it to be one of the nation’s 10 great public libraries.

Joel Budd, one of the magazine’s reporters who covers the western United States, spent a day at the Laramie County Library, including an extended trip to Burns to see the branch facility.

According to Rumpf, Budd was fascinated how this library continues to thrive and grow. While many others are scaling back services or losing tax elections to garner additional funding, Budd wanted to visit a community that was willing to tax themselves to obtain a new library building.

The article closes with the lines: “In southern Wyoming…an excellent library system was not built in the face of resistance to public spending. The interesting truth is that it is excellent precisely because of it.”

“That’s just it,” Rumpf said. “We wouldn’t be where we are or who we are without the incredible support of the community.”

The Economist is available to read at the Laramie County Library in Cheyenne. The article is also viewable at Economist.com.

For more information about the Laramie County Library, call 634-3561.