School library professionals from across Wyoming convened at Casper College for learning and networking at the annual School Library Summit.
Ever wondered how your local school libraries stay ahead of the curve, supercharge their programs, and bring fresh, exciting ideas into Wyoming classrooms? It all starts with continuous learning! Thanks to funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Wyoming State Library consultants Paige Bredenkamp (E-Resources & School Library Consultant) and Joanne Pruitt (Youth Services Consultant) headed to Casper College on July 29–30, 2026, for the dynamic School Library Summit.
Here is how sending our team to high-impact events directly translates into real value for students, teachers, and communities across the state:
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Unlocking New Funding for Local Schools:
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From Fueling Joy: Grant Opportunities for School Librarians with Presenter Cassandra Hunter, Paige and Joanne brought back fresh insights on grants from the Wyoming Community Foundation, helping local libraries secure vital resources to expand their collections and programs.
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Raising the Bar for Library Excellence:
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From Melissa Snider’s presentation on Instructional Standards & Guidelines for WY School Libraries, the State Library team took away resources in the form of the AASL’s recently updated National Standards for Learners & Libraries. This includes purchasing extra copies of the 2nd edition to be made available (soon) on the Wyoming State Library professional collection.
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Paige Bredenkamp and Joanne Pruitt (also known as PB&J) joined the fun and learning in Casper, both as presenters and participants.
Sparking Civic Pride:
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The energetic duo behind the popular PB&J Library Show showcased fantastic civics resources on GoWYLD.net, giving educators turnkey tools to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in classrooms statewide. PB&J highlighted Gale (In context) and the pro-con features of hot debate topics. Additionally, PB&J shared the educator resources from Britannica, including their America 250 Hub. This consists of ready-made civics resources for educators to use with students in their libraries or classrooms! One such resource is an online scavenger hunt, tic-tac-toe: civics edition, and a plethora of mini-lessons and graphic organizers.
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IMLS professional development grants are more than just event passes—they are a direct investment in Wyoming’s educational ecosystem. By keeping our State Library team connected, energized, and plugged into the latest trends, we ensure that every school library in our state has the expert support, innovative tools, and top-tier guidance it needs to help our kids thrive!