Carrie Lucas has been named a “Mover and Shaker” in the library industry by the national publication Library Journal. In its March 15 issue, Library Journal named 50 outstanding individuals whose efforts have not only expanded the services libraries provide, but who are transforming libraries themselves in the 21st century. Lucas was selected because of her commitment to the profession, as well as her development and implementation of the Early Literacy Center at the Laramie County Library System (LCLS).
Lucas currently serves Laramie County Library System as the Assistant Manager and Children’s Librarian for the Youth and Outreach Services (YOS) Division. She began working at the Laramie County Library System in 2007 as a part-time youth desk assistant. She was promoted to Assistant Manager and Children’s Librarian in 2011, and completed her Master’s in Library Science in 2012.
Lucas’s significant contribution to the Library and local community was the successful implementation and development of the Early Literacy Center (ELC). With the release of the second edition of Every Child Ready to Read from the Public Library Association and the Association for Library Services to Children, she saw an opportunity to institute the five practices of early literacy (reading, talking, playing, singing, and writing) to build on early literacy skills already promoted by LCLS in storytimes and preschool events.
By implementing learning spots within the storytime room at Laramie County Library, Lucas highlighted specific activities that parents and caregivers can do with their child that build early learning skills. She then worked to create attractive, engaging publicity, including the Elsie and Eddie mountain lion mascots.
In addition to her work with the ELC, Lucas is also commended for working with the Laramie County Library and local school districts to encourage summer reading among elementary school students; implementing a Junior First LEGO® League with support from the Space Science Institute and First LEGO® League (LCLS was selected as one of three pilot libraries nationwide for the program); and helping to raise $18,000 in donations for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) programming for children and teens.
The 2015 Movers & Shakers were selected by the editors of Library Journal, the profession’s leading trade magazine. Each of the Movers & Shakers will be prominently featured in the March 15th issue of Library Journal and celebrated at a special luncheon in June during the American Library Association’s annual conference.