Happy birthday to us! Today, the Wyoming State Library has been in existence for 145 years. On December 16, 1871, the Wyoming Territorial Library opened its doors. Not only did the state librarian “have charge and custody of all books, papers, charts, engravings, paintings and all other things properly belonging to the library,” they also were to collect minerals and geological specimens from the territory’s residents. The 1871 Territorial Legislature Session Laws have the full text of the legislation.
Twenty years ago, Gwen Rice and Linn Rounds wrote History of the Wyoming State Library, December 16, 1871-1996. This document has many details about the WSL’s beginnings. Find it in WYLDCAT.