People News

Cass Kvenild was appointed Dean of Libraries at the University of Wyoming in late March. Prior to this appointment, she had served as the Associate Dean of Libraries since August 2023. Cass graduated from UW in 1996 with a B.A. in English, then received her Master of Library Sciences from the University of Washington. She has held several other administrative positions at UW, including serving as Interim Associate Dean from 2015 to 2018 and was the Assistant Dean of Scholarship and Research from 2018 to 2019.

“I’m delighted to step into this new role at UW Libraries,” said Cass, “and to work closely with colleagues at libraries throughout the state to continue building partnerships and shared resources.”

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Lisa Brown joined the Hot Springs County Library as an Adult Services Librarian. Lisa is a New Hampshire native who relocated to Wyoming in March 2023. She has worked in public and school libraries, starting in 1999. Along the way, she obtained her Bachelors in Library and Information Services, and then her Master of Education with a K-12 Library Media Certification. Her children are now 25 (Kate) and Sam (30), and she has Henry, a dog whose heart is bigger than his small 13-pound body. Favorite activities include hiking, ultra-running, volunteering, reading, and repurposing thrift shop and estate sale finds.

Sammy Peter, chair of Research and Instruction at the University of Wyoming Libraries received the Library Instruction Round Table (LIRT) Librarian Recognition Award for 2024. This award honors librarians who contribute to the development, advancement, and support of information literacy and instruction. Peter has been a member of the UW Libraries staff since 2018 and was appointed to her current position in 2022. Read more here.

Bonnie Hefenieder, died April 7, 2024 in Worland, Wyoming. She served Washakie County as a library board member for two terms in the 1990s, and in 1998, she was given the Trustee Citations Award from the Wyoming Library Association for outstanding volunteer service and other accomplishments for the library. Appointed to the Wyoming State Library Board 2001-2003 by Governor Jim Geringer, she represented Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park, and Washakie Counties. Joining the  Washakie County Library Foundations Board in 2008, she was active in the WCLFB for 16 years. Her understanding of finance and investments guided the library and the foundation in ways that helped build a solid financial base. Her investment skills and historic knowledge of the library benefitted many decisions made by the Board.

“Bonnie was a friend of the library in more ways than just being a “friend” of that organization,” said Karen Funk, director of the Washakie County Library System. “The library was truly in her heart.” Read more here.

Amanda Bugbee joined the University of Wyoming Libraries as the Discovery Librarian. She holds a dual Master of Library Science with a specialization in Art Librarianship, and Master of Arts in Art History from Indiana University-Bloomington. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Art History, with Museum Studies and History minors from the University of Wyoming. Previously, she served as a Library Specialist, Acquisitions, in UW Libraries Resource, Discovery & Management department. Outside of work, Amanda enjoys trying new recipes, walking her four dogs, and watching old films. She also considers herself a dissectologist.

Tandi Valdez, a senior library assistant, is the recipient of the University of Wyoming Libraries Outstanding Staff Award for her contributions in 2023. Valdez has worked for UW Libraries since September 1986 and works with interlibrary loans to support the UW library and other libraries around the globe. She is a dedicated and knowledgeable employee and has provided unwavering support to ILL during multiple recent personnel changes. Read more here.