A-Tisket, a-Tasket, a WLLI Basket!

From Anna Smedts, WLLI Advisor

Congratulations to all our basket winners and a HUGE THANKS to all those who so graciously (and creatively!) contributed to the Wyoming Library Leadership Institute (WLLI) basket fundraiser.

At the drawing (L to R): Johanna Tuttle, Abby Beaver, Darcy Acord, Chris Van Burgh, and Anna Smedts.

This year, the baskets were especially eye-catching and generously stuffed, drawing in many last-minute ticket purchasers with hopes of taking home the bounty. The “Basque-kit,” “Spirit of Sheridan,” “Devil’s Tower,” and “Wyoming Redneck” baskets were popular and fun reflections of our Wyoming culture. Raffle contestants were hard-pressed to choose between titles like “Zen and the Art of Gardening,” “Don’t Mess With a Princess,” “Margarita Madness,” and “Tuscany, WY.” From literary themes (“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” — WOW!), date nights (“Movie” or “Staycation”?) to “Canning” and “Creativity” baskets, there was something for everyone. Thank you all again, so very much, for your generous support of the WLLI; whether you bought tickets or built a basket, we appreciate you!

Nearly $1,400 was raised, which will go toward covering the costs of the 2018 Institute in beautiful Lander, Wyoming, next July. We hope to continue the tradition of providing opportunities for Wyoming librarians to gain skills in leading, communicating, collaborating, and engaging within their library systems and communities. Please consider applying to attend the 2018 Institute, or recommending it to a colleague — we have some exciting plans in place!

About 25 baskets were contributed to the WLLI raffle this year. Volunteers who helped out included Cynthia Twing, Megan Herold, Abby Beaver, Johanna Tuttle, Rachael Yates, Nancy Venable, Michelle Humber, Marci Mock, Karen Funk, Darcy Acord, Bonnie Stahla, and Anna Smedts. A few of the winners are pictured below with their baskets.

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