Wyoming libraries seek sales tax vote to become hubs for borrowing more than books

Libraries in southeast Wyoming could soon become places where residents borrow far more than books and DVDs if county voters approve two sales tax measures on the Laramie County ballot.

The Laramie County Library System says approval of two county sales tax propositions would allow its libraries in Cheyenne and Pine Bluffs to add services such as makerspaces, telehealth booths, expanded workforce support, and a "library of things."

Here's what to know

According to Cap City News, there are two Sixth Penny Specific Purpose Sales Tax questions on the Laramie County ballot — Proposition 3 and Proposition 13 — and, if approved, the new funds would send millions of dollars to library projects.

The first, Proposition 3, earmarks $6,382,895 for repairs and upkeep. The second, Proposition 13, would add $7,348,711 for expanded services and redesigned library space, according to the outlet.

Voters are being asked to choose among 14 Sixth Penny projects, with total collections capped at $170 million before the tax expires. Cap City News explained the Sixth Penny adds 1% to purchases made in Laramie County on top of current state and local sales taxes, and the City of Cheyenne says visitors and industry are expected to cover more than half of the revenue rather than county residents.

Cheyenne's main library says some of its biggest needs are basic facility items with high price tags, including a roof replacement, new carpet and updated furniture. As Laramie County Library System Executive Director Antonia Gaona told the outlet, "We get over 500,000 visits every year into this facility."

In Pine Bluffs, the challenge is space. Officials say the library still occupies a building planned for the town's 1969 population, which has made larger events harder to maintain.

More background

The ballot measures also fit into a wider evolution in public libraries. Many are moving beyond book storage and becoming lower-cost community access points for equipment, technology, classes, meeting areas and job-related assistance.

For Cheyenne, the Proposition 13 plan would shrink some conventional shelving and turn lightly used parts of the building — including the computer lab — into study rooms, a creative studio, an art gallery and a larger workforce and business development center.

Gaona said to Cap City News that the "library of things" model could let patrons borrow items from "a standup KitchenAid mixer to podcasting equipment, to 3D printers" along with snowshoes, trekking poles, tools and backyard games.

What's being done?

The passage of both measures would allow the Pine Bluffs annex to be set up for self-service use, meetings, study rooms, and telehealth booths. In Cheyenne, the wish list includes a makerspace and creator-in-residence classes covering leatherworking, robotics, welding, and glass forging.

Gaona said the plans largely grew out of community input. According to her, residents have consistently asked for places to gather with family and friends across generations around hobbies, recreation and skill-building.

Officials also want to expand the library system's accredited workforce and business development center, which already assists with tasks such as polishing résumés and applying for LLCs, so it can serve more patrons.

As Gaona said to Cap City News: "It's not about print literacy, it's about health and wellness literacy, it's about job and career literacy, it's about recreation literacy. It's about anything that libraries can do to enhance the quality of your life."

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