WSL and GoWYLD.net roll out the welcome mat
Go nuts? Go crazy? No, GoWYLD!
GoWYLD.net is a portal page and database created by the Wyoming State Library that offers links to more than 750 Wyoming Web sites.
The concept for GoWYLD.net began in Jan. 2000 with Corky Walters, former Wyoming libraries database (WYLD) manager. GoWYLD! originally was slated as a generic homepage for Wyoming libraries that didn’t have a Web presence. Then, the Resource Sharing Council, composed of representatives from academic, county, medical, school and special libraries, proposed the portal page, offering a single point of access to the Internet. After further discussion, it was decided the portal page would focus on and create a portal to Wyoming information found on the World Wide Web.
In May 2000, Erin Kinney, electronic resources librarian, undertook the project and created its current design. It debuted at the Legislative reception Feb. 15.
The portal page went through two designs and took months to complete. The current page is modeled after the Michigan Electronic Library (MEL) Web site, http://www.mel.org.
According to Kinney, GoWYLD! is a “one-stop shopping” place for Wyoming and government information.
GoWYLD.net accepts links to non-commercial, Wyoming-related Web sites and personal Wyoming Web site pages provided Web site submission guidelines are meet: 1) the site does not require a fee or 2) the site does not primarily advertise a product or service. Web sites links can be submitted using the form at Libraries and other sites are welcome to link to GoWYLD.net from their Wyoming sites.
“I just want people to know that it exists,” Kinney said.
GoWYLD.net also has a frequently asked questions page, email reference form and a search engine.
Access GoWYLD.net at http://www.gowyld.net. For more information, contact Erin Kinney at the Wyoming State Library, ekinne@state.wy.us or 307/777-6332.
The Governing Board of the WYLD Network accepted a recommendation from the Lesley Boughton, Wyoming state librarian, to seek proposals to move the network to a new integrated library system by July 1, 2002. The system is currently using DRA Classic software.
The WYLD Governing Board had previously endorsed a migration to the DRA TAOS software pending successful implementation of that system in a similar consortium.
DRA has recently been acquired by SIRSI Corp. and continued development of TAOS is uncertain. The board agreed it would be in the best interest of WYLD members to formally review and evaluate systems now available.
“It is a good time to step up to the power and advantages the generation of library systems can offer our patrons,” she said. “We also need a more functional system for library staff.”
A System Assessment Team has been appointed by Lynnette Anderson, network president, who will chair the team.
Other members include Tony Goymerac, Teton County; Crystal Stratton, Laramie County Community College; Scott Kinney, regional council chair; Marcia Wright, Campbell County; the WYLD office and Boughton.
The team will hold meetings in each WYLD Region during July and August to solicit input from network members regarding desirable features and functional requirements.
Interested vendors have benn encouraged to provide product demonstrations at the Wyoming Library conference in Cody on Wednesday, Sept. 26.
The team will work with the State Procurement Office to produce the RFP in early October and expects to select the new system in December.
The controversy over closing the downtown Rock Springs Library continues to dominate the area news media and continues to top the agenda of Sweetwater County Commissions meetings. The destiny of the Rock Springs downtown library has been on a roller coaster ride since March, going from planned renovations to possible closure and then back to the renovations study.
“Watch how you spend your money,” was the message commissioners conveyed to the library system’s director during an April meeting reports the Rock Springs Daily Rocket-Miner newspaper.
Helen Higby, director of the Sweetwater County Library System, was invited to the meeting to speak about the library system and focus on recent talk concerning the proposed library closure.
She provided the board of commissioners with circulation figures, computer usage, library visits, size of the collection and other aspects of the library.
As reported in the newspaper, Higby said the Rock Springs Library has the smallest circulation figures, which she said was “hardly trivial.” She also said the library is the “most frugally staffed”, and that system-wide Sweetwater County has the largest collection numbers in the state.
“We’re pretty proud of that,” she said.
The entire county library system includes a main library in Green River, two in Rock Springs and rural branches in Bairoil, Farson, Granger, Reliance and Superior. The system also offers bookmobile and outreach services, and includes the Community Fine Arts Center.
Higby also provided members with issues that would have to be addressed if the library were to close.
Closing the library would force the School District to find room to house more than 400 works of art that are currently displayed in the Community Fine Arts Center (CFAC) in the library. Higby added that if the artwork was housed somewhere in the district, public access to the art would be cut off. The library would also lose money it currently receives from the district.
Keeping the CFAC center open while closing the library would force a portion of the library to be separated from the center. Higby said this situation would in her opinion cause concern for the security of the CFAC staff.
Higby pointed out other areas the county commissioners should consider:
The library is centralized for use by many area schools, and usage by school children is large;
It would take at least six months and two full-time employees to integrate the downtown library collection with that of the White Mountain Library.
Higby said closing the Rock Springs Library would also have a huge impact on the White Mountain Library. The library would have to expand its hours, and increase its activities, requiring more staff. In addition, meeting rooms might have to be converted into library space.
Commissioner Carl Maldonado said the commissioners have to consider the entire library system when looking at closing the downtown library.
“We have to provide for the whole system, not just one city,” he said during the meeting.
He asked Higby how much money was budgeted for the Rock Springs Library compared to the rest of the county.
She said last year, the library budgeted about $2.6 million.
As Higby said in a current “Check It Out” column in theGreen River Star, “The dollars involved are large; they support a large system.”
The library also applies for and receives grants each year. In Higby’s column, she said this year they received nearly $11,000 in grants.
In her column, Higby stressed the library “is not set up to be revenue generating. The concept contradicts the term public library. However, we do manage to raise some funds such as possibly $12,000 from over due book fines this year. There is also a charge for laminating and the use of book binding equipment. We may raise $2,100 that way this year,” she wrote.
What Higby stressed was that funds, gifts and grants for the library do not even come close to property taxes for providing the library system with operating funds.
The fate of the library has not gone unnoticed by Rock Springs’ residents.
During an April 2001 Sweetwater County Library Board meeting, a former Rock Springs’ Library Board member Norma Prevedel, asked how funds would be used if the downtown Rock Springs Library were closed.
Rock Springs’ resident John Moses said “he didn’t think Ware (Ted Ware, Sweetwater County commissioner) had the interest of the people in mind when he (Ware) suggested the library be closed in the future.
Other responses to the board included that turning the library into a “learning center” was redundant; not only is the library well used but also has one of the best collections in the state.
At a later meeting, Rep. Fred Parady said he “questions where the pressure is coming from to cut the budget” in light of projected revenues for the county.
Parady received information from the Wyoming Legislative Service Office that the county will receive $17.8 million this year, $20.66 million next year and $22.01 million in 2003.
“Supporting libraries is a badge of honor for this county,” said from Fred Parady as reported in the Green River Star.
However, Ware said at the same board meeting that “most people have no idea the amount of money spent” to maintain the current library system.
He asked the library board to consider three options: a 3 percent budget increase, a freeze on the current budget or a 10 percent decrease.
A newly formed partnership is the first big step for the town of Shoshoni to start working toward a new library.
The Shoshoni District 25 School Board voted to join into a partnership with the Shoshoni Branch Library and the town of Shoshoni.
School Superintendent Jessie A. Farr said the trustees of the school made a commitment to improve the library facilities for the community, reports the Riverton Ranger.
A motion was made and passed to sell the modular building that is currently used for storage by the school to the city of Shoshoni. The building, in turn, will be used for the library. With the new building, the library will triple in size.
Farr said the next step will be to move the building to city property and a permanent location so the city can develop parking and landscaping.
“The community will need to pull together to help with the next phase. (We) are looking for volunteers and anyone who would like to help in the relocation of the library,” she said.
Proposals made to move network to new system
Rock Springs Library alive and kicking . . . for now
Partnership works to create new Shoshoni Library
New database mobile training lab gets ready to roll
wireless networking featured
A new mobile training lab for the WYLD program and database training at the Wyoming State Library has been purchased.
The mobile training lab consists of nine Dell Latitude laptops featuring wireless networking.
Desiree Saunders, WYLD systems librarian, said, “This will simplify the setup of the lab and alleviate some problems involved with physical layout of buildings as well.”
“Another reason for getting the lab was to offer a model of how wireless technologies can work in the library environment,” Brian Greene, WYLD program manager, said.
The lab was purchased with the small balance of federal LSTA Title II funds and state dollars.
Dubois library breaks ground
Ground breaking for a new Dubois Library was held June 30, with an opening date for the new facility set for early 2002.
The Fremont County Commissioners agreed to guarantee enough funds to get the new $1 million-plus project under construction.
Big surprise
Sealed bids for the project were opened at the beginning of June, and those in attendance were in for a big surprise: bids were much higher than projected by the architect.
As reported in the Dubois Frontier, figures were $80,000 more than existing funds needed for phase one.
Friends of the Library had three alternatives:
1)ask the Fremont County Commissioners for financial assistance or a loan;
2)try and raise the needed money; or
3)start all over again with a new architectural plan and new bids,(the least desirable for the friends group).
Phase one of the project includes erecting the shell of the new building.
Off guard
As reported in the Riverton Ranger, Mary Kay Burmeister, friends president, said they were taken off guard by the bid, and some alternatives – such as a fire and security system, an outside reading arbor, air conditioning, a metal roof, a snow melting system and other upgrade finishes — will have to be given up.
“But we’re willing to do so just to get the construction started,” she said.
Phase two
She said phase two of the fund-raising would continue to hopefully find some way of purchasing the alternatives and the building’s furnishings.
The county commissioners agreed to the funding but not without some questions concerning outreach plans and the 2001-02 fiscal year budget.
Funds for the new library also got a boost for the second year in a row from the Fremont County Library Foundation in the form of a $10,000 check.
Wyoming Facts
by Statewide Information ServicesThe Internet and email have changed librarians’ lives forever. The Statewide Information Services staff answers Wyoming-related questions from all over the world. Many of these questions are asked frequently and we’ll be sharing them with you as an Outrider feature henceforth.
Wyoming FARQ 1:
What are the five largest towns in Wyoming?
A: According to the 2000 census (uncorrected), the five largest incorporated places in Wyoming are Cheyenne, 53,011; Casper, 49,644; Laramie, 27,204; Gillette, 19,646; and Rock Springs, 18,708.
These places were also the most populated in the 1990 census, with Rock Springs being more populated then than Gillette.
The above information is from the decennial census of population. Reports and data from the 2000 census are being released regularly. Wyoming’s Economic Analysis Division has this information on their web site at http://eadiv.state.wy.us/demog_data/pop2000/pop00.htm. Another excellent source for census statistics is the U.S. Census Bureau Web site at http://www.census.gov. Also on this site is the “American Factfinder,” which can be used to create tables and maps of demographic data for various geographic areas.
Finally, the printed publications for the decennial census’ of population from 1860 to the present are available in the federal documents collection at the State Library for anyone wanting historical information. Wyoming Territorial demographics are in the 1870 and 1880 census.
2001 Grants Directory ready for distribution
A new edition to the Catalog of Wyoming State Grant Programs 2001 has been printed and is being distributed statewide.
Compiled and published by the Wyoming State Library, the catalog outlines grants from more than 25 different state divisions, highlighting more than 60 grant programs this year. The target audience for the publication is municipalities, nonprofit organizations and other such entities.
Each program section includes a contact name, eligibility requirements, the dollar amount typically granted, financial and matching requirements, the sources of funding and the application deadline.
Not all the state grant programs were included in the catalog; mandatory or entitlement programs were excluded.
The publication is free to all libraries, private businesses, community organizations, government agencies and Wyoming residents.
To obtain a copy, contact the Public Programs, Publications and Marketing Office, Wyoming State Library, 2301 Capitol Ave.., Cheyenne, WY 82002, Candice J. VanDyke, at 307/777-6338, cvandy@state.wy.us, or Courtney Herceg at 307/777-5453, cherce@state.wy.us.
16 prepare for Library Leadership Institute
Developing leaders in Wyoming’s library community is a goal of the Resource Sharing Council, and individuals were invited to submit applications for the first Wyoming Library Leadership Institute (LLI).
The institute is a tool for nurturing both degreed and non-degreed individuals in leadership roles.
It is not a workshop on becoming a library director or a workshop on library administration.
The institute will be held July 16 to 18 in Casper.
The application process was competitive.
Those selected to attend are:
- Debra Adams, Teton County;
- Marylou Bowles-Banks, Fremont County School District No. 2;
- Patricia Brose, Campbell County;
- Dale Collum, Uinta County;
- Michelle DeSalvo, Casper College;
- Sukey Hohl, Sublette County;
- Jenny Ingram, Albany County;
- Katrina Jones, Sheridan County;
- Scott Kinney, Laramie County;
- Sue Knesel, Campbell County;
- Richard Landreth, Conestoga Elementary School Library, Gillette;
- Trish Palluck, Wyoming State Library;
- Debora Person, University of Wyoming Law Library;
- Valerie Roady, Big Horn County School District No. 4;
- Cynthia Twing, Johnson County; and
- Carolyn Groves Winkler, Jackson Hole High School.
Thirty applications for the institute were received.
Questions should be directed to Chris Van Burgh at cvanbu@state.wy.us or 307/777-3642.
Wyoming 'River of Words’ winners announced
Two students from Wyoming are national River of Words finalists for poetry: Brady Samuelson of Riverton for “Grand Teton National Park” and Kyla King of Moran for “Snowshoeing.”
Wyoming’s Center for the Book at the Wyoming State Library participated in its first-ever state level River of Words environmental art and poetry contest receiving more than 400 entries, with two entries named national finalists.
In its sixth year, River of Words is a national contest on the subject of watersheds: an area of land that catches rain and snow, which drains into a marsh, stream, river or lake. Children are encouraged to observe the natural world and express what they have learned through art and poetry.
State entrants are judged in four categories and compete for first and second place. Category I is for entrants in grades kindergarten to second, category II for grades 3 to 6, category III for grades 7 to 9 and category IV for grades 10 to 12.
Winners in Category I are:
first place, Cody Mares, Douglas Primary School, Douglas, for his poem “Rivers,” and
second place, Britney Kirby, Douglas Primary School, Douglas, for her poem “Fish at the River.”
Winners in Category II are:
first place, Brady Samuelson, Ashgrove Elementary School, Riverton, for his poem “Grand Teton National Park,” and
second place, Kyla King, Jackson Hole Middle School, Jackson, for her poem “Snowshoeing.”
Winners in Category III are:
first place, Deidre ComesRunningBuck, Starrett Junior High School, Lander, for her artwork “Untitled,” and
second place, Jamie Wolf, Worland High School, Worland, for her poem “Journey.”
Winners in Category IV are:
first place, Dillon Vessels, Worland High School, Worland, for his artwork “Fear of Another Oil Spill,” and
second place, Tammy Hall, Worland High School, Worland, for her poem “Sacred Cycle.”
State-level winners received $50 for first place and $25 for second place along with a certificate.
Three volunteers from Wyoming judged this year’s state contest: Judy Lissman of Torrington, and Michael Shay and Stephen Roseberry of Cheyenne.
Art and poetry entries from the contest are available for distribution to libraries in the state. If you're interested in displaying entries or would like to know how many entries are available from your county or for more information on the WCB at the Wyoming State Library and Wyoming’s River of Words contest, contact Linn Rounds, 307/777-5915, lround@state.wy.us; Courtney Herceg, 307/777-5453, cherce@state.wy.us; 800/264-1281 (option 1, then 6) or Fax, 307/777-6289.
20 years, 9 months and 23 days
Judy Yeo retires in July
Imagine seeing your trade progress from using 3” x 5” cards filed in a wooden catalog file to locate books shelved by categories to using one of most unique and top of the line computer programs to locate the same books that are shelved not only in your own library, but those in every library in the state.
But that is exactly what Judy Yeo, library development officer for the Wyoming State Library, has seen in her career since she began working at the State Library.
And now after 20 years, nine months and 23 days, she has decided to shelve her library and cataloging skills and begin using the other skills she has cultivated over the years, such as, gardening and spending quality time with her family.
From a job to a career
“So many of us started with a job and ended up with a career,” she said. “Working in a library is exciting and challenging; the kind of things that keep you going in a job.”
At the State Library, Yeo first worked at the circulation desk checking out books.
"That was back in the days when we stamped a card with the due date and put it back in the book,” she said.
As the world began to evolve, Yeo watched the library keep pace and watched as an “electronic card catalog” was created. Yeo moved on to the technical unit and witnessed the beginning of automation.
Computers, computers
“I never thought I could work on a computer,” she said. “Today, I can’t live without one.”
She also wrote grants and worked on special projects.
After moving to the community service section, Yeo began to promote adult education while at the same time, working on her own master’s degree.
Working for a degree
Two of her co-workers, Jerry Krois, deputy state librarian, and Corky Walters, former WYLD manager, pushed her to return to school and get her degree.
Throughout her years at the State Library, Yeo also worked in Public Programs, Publications and Marketing and then library development.
She has also planned and held workshops for WSL staff and organized workshops around the state for other library staffs.
Since the beginning of her career, she has seen the library develop using automation and Web access.
The Web access, she explains, has been wonderful and now allows students to take courses without ever leaving home.
“The geographical barriers in Wyoming are no longer a problem,” she said.
But for all the changes she has seen and aided with, Yeo says it’s time to leave.
Good people
“The State Library has been a really good place to work; especially because of the people,” she said.
“It’s time for me to retire,” she said, “but working as a volunteer is the next natural step.”
In addition to volunteering at the museum, Yeo also volunteers her time at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens.
She also recently became a “Master Gardner.”
“I need to do a better job with my own garden because it’s become a jungle,” she said.
And of course she plans to spend more time with her grandchildren.
Krois elected president of ASCLA
Jerry Krois, Wyoming deputy state librarian, will serve as president of the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) from July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002.
ASCLA includes individuals interested in state libraries, services to special populations, independent librarians and regional systems.
Krois previously served as vice president from July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2001.
He was elected by the organization’s membership and was honored at a dinner at the American Library Association’s recent conference.
Library team participates in ACS relay
Coveted Tailgate Gourment trophy wonFrom Chicago to L.A. along Route 66, the Wyoming Library Community team at the Cheyenne Relay for Life wowed the judges’ taste buds and won the grand prize trophy for the Tailgate Gourmet.
Deep-dish pizza from Chicago, bean dip and pico de gallo from Santa Fe, barbecue from St. Louis and avocado salad from Los Angeles, made by members of the team, were up for sampling.
Team members were Chris Van Burgh, Jackie Tabor, Bobbi Thorpe, Courtney Herceg, Desiree Saunders, Ben Saunders, Roberta Smith, Nick Panella, Cindy Jacquot, Lori Mares, Cathy Moody, Sheila Russell and Susan Vittitow.
The team raised almost $1,500.
Relay For Life is a nationwide community-based event designed to celebrate cancer survivorship and raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Girls and Boys State 'takeover' Wyoming government for a day
Wyoming state government, including the Wyoming State Library (WSL) received a visit from the American Legion Wyoming Boys and Girls State delegates on June 7 and 8, 2001.
WSL visits
The boys visited the WSL on June 7 and the girls visited the WSL on June 8. Each year, Boys and Girls State delegates participate in a simulation of state government. The students run for offices and learn more about their real counterparts in elected and appointed positions.
Sharing information
Lesley Boughton, Wyoming state librarian, and Jerry Krois, deputy state librarian, shared information about their roles in representing Wyoming libraries and the State Library. Norma Lockhart Cloyd, WSL executive assistant, served as tour guide for the two groups of students.
All will enter their senior year of high school this fall.
WSL visitors
Those who visited the State Library are:
(top photo, left to right) Jerry Krois, WSL deputy state librarian; Alexie Pitsch, Rock Springs; Christina Rasmussen, Newcastle; Tami Peterson, Upton; and Brianna Papa, Laramie, who all “served” as staff to Robyn Smith
(sitting), Worland, who was elected as the Wyoming state librarian.
(bottom photo, standing, left to right) Gary Lankford, Pinedale, who was elected state librarian, worked with his staff of Austin Walters, Buffalo; and Michael Whitby, Cokeville. They were advised by Lesley Boughton, Wyoming state librarian.
Two WSL employees take retirement
As of June 30, the Wyoming State Library will bid farewell to Judy Yeo and Karen Mydland, two employees taking retirement.
Yeo, library development and continuing education officer, has been with the State Library for 20 years. She has written the continuing education newsletter Coming Attractions since 1994.
Chris Van Burgh, training and continuing education coordinator, will assume LDO duties. Contact her at 307/777-3642 or cvanbu@state.wy.us.
Mydland was the federal publications access librarian in Bibliographic Services. She has been with the State Library for six years.
Trish Palluck and Venice Beske will assume Mydland’s duties. Please contact Palluck at 307/777-5913 or tpallu@state.wy.us, for MARCIVE and cataloging questions, and Beske, 307/777-7982, vbeske@state.wy.us for non-cataloging questions.
VanDyke receives first place for Outrider
Candice VanDyke of the WSL Public Programs, Publications and Marketing office, recently received first place from the Wyoming Media Professionals for an issue of the Outrider. The issue has gone to compete in the national competition.
WSL employees get hitched
Congratulations to the newlyweds! Courtney Hall of Public Programs, Publications and Marketing is now Courtney Herceg, cherce@state.wy.us. Desiree Sallee of WYLD is now Desiree Saunders, dsaund@state.wy.us.
Around the State
People/Staff changes
- Dr. Richard Machalek will become the University of Wyoming’s interim dean of libraries as of July 1.
- Becky Hawkins has been appointed the new Big Horn County Library director. She has been with the library system for 18 years.
- Nellie Pacheco has donated her time and books to the Laramie County Library Family and Local History Room. She donated a large collection of journals from the Genealogical Society of Hispanic America from Colorado and New Mexico. She is available for assistance on Wednesday afternoons, especially to those with Hispanic family research.
- Frank Zielke, Greybull High School librarian, has taken early retirement. He has been the librarian since 1976.
- Doug Cooper, Natrona County Library Board of Trustees, was honored for six years of service as the board’s president. He has stepped down from his position. Jenny Black’s board term also expired.
- The Fremont County Library Foundation presented a $10,000 check for the new Dubois Branch Library to the Fremont County Commissioners. The Dubois Friends of the Library also received a $10,000 gift from Stephen Gordon, owner of the Diamond G Ranch in Dubois. (See related story, page 9.)
- The Natrona County Friends of the Library donated $36,000 from their annual book sale. The money will fund the Reading Is Fundamental program, adult and youth fiction, nonfiction, recorded books and audio-visual material.
- Doralyn Edwards and Tami Hert received a Lola Homsher Endowment Fund Project Grant from the Wyoming State Historical Society for their project “Making Tracks Through the Yellowstone Country: the History of Railroads and Yellowstone National Park.” The grant will assist them in travel funding related to the project.
- Western Wyoming Community College’s Hay Library received a donation of 830 books from the family of the late Jan Horst, former WWCC instructor and longtime coordinator of the college’s Mystery Readers Book Discussion group. Richard and Christie Horst of Rock Springs donated the collection.
- The Niobrara County Library received a check for $220 from the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA).
- Howard “Newly” Schwartzmann, Jackson’s own “crocodile hunter,” presented “Last of the Ruling Reptiles” at the Teton County Library in May. He entertained with slides of various alligators and crocodiles and their similarities before unleashing the real thing. More information on Schwartzmann’s programs can be obtained by calling him at 307/739-1717.
- The Roundtop Wranglers 4-H Club completed a two-year beautification process at the Hot Springs County Library. The process included planting perennials, evergreens and shrubbery. Grants for the project came from the Lutheran Brotherhood.
- Joe French, 307/777-5916, jfrenc@state.wy.us
- Debbie Buchmeier, 307/777-3513, dbuchm@state.wy.us
- Gary Poch, 307/777-3514, gpoch@state.wy.us
- Jack Willmarth, 307/777-5917, jwillm@state.wy.us
- Jackie Tabor, 307/777-6331, jtabor@state.wy.us
- Gloria Contratto, 307/777-5918, gcontr@state.wy.us
Donations/Money
Programs
Buildings
‘Count on us’
Business, Acquisitions and LAN offices offer support to many libraries
Editor’s note: This is the second of a six part series on the Wyoming State Library.
You don’t have to be a mathematician to figure out why Wyoming’s libraries count on the Wyoming State Library’s Business, Acquisitions and Local Area Network (LAN) offices.
The business office handles billing and purchasing for the State Library. They also handle statistics for academic and county libraries, prepare federal and state financial reports, and handle the WYLD Foundation account. The office aids the Central Acquisitions and LAN offices in various areas such as setting interest rates and helping with software and hardware requests.
The central acquisitions office purchases materials and books for libraries in the state and helps libraries to save money by using the Centralized Purchasing Program. Established in 1964 to accommodate Wyoming libraries, the program serves public, academic, school and institutional libraries, and other state agencies. The office also maintains more than 350 individual accounts in the program.
LAN provides support to the State Library’s staff regarding server, hardware and software maintenance and upgrades. The office also aids in purchasing new hardware and software equipment for State Library staff.
Staff
There are six people in the Business, Central Acquisitions and LAN offices: Joe French, Debbie Buchmeier, Gary Poch, Jack Willmarth, Jackie Tabor and Gloria Contratto.
French is the business office manager. He has been with the State Library for approximately 12 years. He also oversees the central acquisitions areas and the LAN administrator. He reviews and forecasts the State Library budget to determine financial status.
French has produced the Wyoming Public Library Statistics since 1998.
Prior to working at the State Library, French was in the United States Air Force for four years, in banking for 13 years and a realtor for three years.
Buchmeier is a financial/technical specialist in the WSL business office. She has worked at the State Library for 11 ½ years working her way from mail clerk to acquisitions to the business office.
Buchmeier’s work in the business office includes requisitioning equipment, handling statistics, setting up WYLD quarterly billings, paying invoices, making deposits and reimbursing travel.
Buchmeier has spent 14 years in the United States Air Force Reserves, where she is currently a master sergeant and medic. She is also a volunteer at the COMEA Shelter for the homeless.
Poch is a financial statistical technician II in the business office. He is in charge of inventory, orders supplies for the State Library, pays the vendors, distributes State Library mail, sends mail and sends merchandise to the surplus warehouse.
Poch has worked for the state for 15 years, working in other areas including the Wyoming Highway Department, Wyoming Game and Fish and Central Printing. He has been with the State Library for five years.
Gov. Jim Geringer has recognized Poch for sending 9,000 copies of The Diary of Anne Frank to libraries, schools and other organizations in the state.
Willmarth has been the central acquisitions manager for five years. He has worked at the State Library for 11 years. He began at the circulation desk for one and a half years before going into the acquisitions office as a fiscal technician for two and a half years.
He helps libraries by maintaining more than 350 accounts for the centralized purchasing program, ordering equipment and supplies, and troubleshooting.
Willmarth is an Administration and Information Orientation Board member with the state. In the community, he is a Junior League baseball umpire.
Tabor also works in acquisitions as a fiscal technician. She has been with the State Library for almost two years. She shares the acquisition duties with Willmarth.
Tabor is a volunteer at the COMEA Shelter for the homeless. She also helps her son with stock car racing.
Contratto is LAN’s one and only. She is the part-time LAN manager and has been with the State Library for 15 years. She started at the State Library in central acquisitions for four years, and then moved to the WYLD Help Desk as manager for seven years, and then moved to LAN.
LAN started when the library needed a network in order to share files. Contratto and Marc Stratton, WYLD systems manager, took a 30-hour class to learn the job. Both managed the LAN in the beginning until Contratto began sole management.
As the LAN manager, her day is never the same, but her duties include keeping all hardware and software equipment current and working, helping users solve equipment and server problems, and backing up the network. She also rebuilds computer hard drives and uploads new programs to staff computers.
Contratto has her own scroll-saw woodworking business, Elegant Wood Creations. Her work is featured at The Flower Shoppe, Between Friends and the Holiday Inn, Cheyenne.
Business, Acquisitions and LAN contacts:
http://will.state.wy.us/slpub/outrider/mayjune2001.html