Goshen County Library (GCL) was recently honored by Library Journal as the Best Small Library in America 2026.
“To say this is an honor is a bit of an understatement.,” said Goshen County Library Director Cristine Braddy. “When the editor called me, I was choked up and lost for words (not a norm for me). This award is a representation of extensive community engagement, relationships across the Wyoming library landscape, and a lot of hard work by the GCL staff, board and volunteers. I am thrilled that we were chosen the same year that Ten Sleep received the National Medal for Museum and Library Service and Conrrado Saldivar received the Library Journal Mover and Shakers award. These awards tell the story of exceptional library service in Wyoming.”
The GCL is located in Torrington, Wyoming, and serves a population of over 12,500 Wyomingites in the communities of Torrington, Lingle, Fort Laramie, LaGrange, Yoder, and their surrounding areas.
“I feel like it’s a great honor for our little library,” said Bethany Rose, a 5-year GCL employee who serves as their adult programming coordinator and circulation manager of the GCL’s award.
Presented in partnership with the Association of Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) and sponsored by Junior Library Guild (JLG), the Best Small Library in America Award was created to showcase the exemplary work of libraries serving populations under 25,000. Read more about the GCL’s well-deserved award on the Library Journal’s website.
“I was very surprised but very pleased,” said Janet Flock, who has worked at GCL for 37 years and currently works in cataloging and acquisitions, in regards to hearing the library’s great news.
In operation for over 100 years, the GCL continues to provide resources, services, and programming for Goshen County citizens of all ages. Find out more about their upcoming events and programming on the GCL’s website.