LaDonna Leibrich
This month we are honored to feature a true champion of literacy and intellectual freedom who was recently named the 2025 Outstanding Librarian by the Wyoming Library Association and recognized by the House and Senate during the 2026 Legislative Session.
Meet LaDonna Leibrich
Title: School Librarian
School: Sheridan High School
District: Sheridan County School District #2
The Path to the Library
LaDonna is a veteran educator with a more than four decades of experience across elementary, junior high, and high school levels. Her journey includes 21 years as a school librarian and a background as a classroom teacher for Kindergarten and Junior High History, as well as leading gifted programs. A Nationally Board Certified educator, LaDonna brings a high level of expertise and a deep historical perspective to her work.
LaDonna with fellow author Lynn Painter
A Fun Fact: Fan Fiction & Advocacy
LaDonna recently wrote a fan fiction book based on Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter. Her goal was to write the book from the secondary male character’s point of view. In November, she had the incredible opportunity to present her work to the author at the NCTE convention in Denver! Her book is dedicated to her superintendent, administrators, staff, students, and everyone who has stood up to support the availability of high-quality, diverse collections in libraries.
Insights from the Library-The “Why” Behind the Work
For LaDonna, the heart of the profession is being student-oriented. Her most rewarding
moments involve:
- The Connection: Building relationships with students and connecting them with their next
favorite read. - The “Right” Match: The magic of putting the right book into the right student’s hands at the
perfect time.
LaDonna in her element at the Sheridan High School Library
What Parents & Students Should Know
“Librarians are all about the First Amendment,” said LaDonna when asked what she wishes the community understood. “Librarianship isn’t just about checking out books; it’s about the right to read.
Her work focuses on digital citizenship, or navigating the modern world safely and ethically and on intellectual freedom, or protecting the fundamental right of every student to access diverse information and literature.
Success in the Stacks: A Hub of Activity
The Sheridan High School library is a vibrant, bustling space integrated into the school’s
curriculum:
- Mock Interviews: Collaborating with the Chamber of Commerce, LaDonna helps technical writing students create resumes and practice professional interviews with community members.
- Titlewaves Reading Group: This group meets every Friday to network with the public library and share current reads (with snacks, of course!).
- Gothic Gallery Walk: A collaboration with English teachers where the library is transformed into an art gallery. Juniors analyze themes from Gothic literature, movies, or art and transform it into their own gothic work to win prizes.
- Career Development: The library regularly hosts guest speakers to help students plan for their futures.
A Few Closing Words
Having graduated college in 1980 prepared for book challenges, LaDonna waited 43 years for her first challenged book. Seeing history repeat itself is shocking to her, but it has only strengthened her resolve.
“I want to move forward, not backward,” said LaDonna, “My goal is to leave this library stronger and better than it was before.”