LCLS Director Antonia Gaona demonstrates the LCLS’s new self-service access system at the Burns Branch Library.
On Monday, March 2, Laramie County Library System (LCLS) became the first library system in Wyoming to offer self-service library access at its Burns and Pine Bluffs branch libraries, joining only a handful of libraries in the Rocky Mountain region to implement this forward-thinking innovation.
Eligible library users are now able to access the Burns and Pine Bluffs libraries from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., seven days a week, even when staff are not present. Using secure entry powered by Bibliotheca’s Open+ Access technology, patrons can now scan their library card to unlock the building and enjoy services such as browsing and checking out materials, computer use, printing, Wi-Fi access, hold pickups, and use of meeting rooms outside of staffed hours.
“Many residents in Burns and Pine Bluffs commute for work, school, or essentials like grocery shopping, which makes it difficult to visit the library during our traditional staffed hours,” said Antonia Gaona, Executive Director of LCLS. “This service is about breaking down that barrier. We are expanding access for our rural communities and making it easier for everyone to use their library on their own schedule. It’s a direct reflection of
our strategic plan and our commitment to equitable access across the county.”
Anne Kuipers, WSL State Documents Librarian; Abby Beaver, Wyoming State Librarian; and Antonia Gaona, LCLS Director peruse the collection at the Pine Bluffs Branch Library.
Self-service library access is an addition, not a replacement, for traditional staffed hours. Library staff will continue providing expert support, programming, and personal assistance during regular open hours. This new option is designed to remove barriers and increase convenience, especially for those whose schedules don’t align with staffed times. It also ensures continued access to the library’s main services during unexpected staffing challenges, when branches might previously have needed to close due to illness or coverage issues.
“This is truly about meeting people where they are,” said Beth Cook, Director of Public Services. “We’ve heard from residents whose schedules don’t align with traditional staffed hours. Self-service library access gives them more flexibility to use the library without requiring additional staff or increasing our operating budget, while also giving our small branch teams greater opportunity to build partnerships and spend time in the community working with schools, organizations, and local partners.”
The Burns Branch Library houses a diverse media collection, an inviting children’s area, and a meeting room, providing members of the community a safe and pleasant place to gather.
The project is a part of LCLS’ Rural Services Expansion Project, and is supported by, in whole or in part, by the Wyoming Library Multipurpose Community Facility Program (WLMCFP) funded by federal award number CPFFN0188 awarded to the State of Wyoming by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Members of the WSL’s WLMCFP team toured the Burns and Pine Bluffs branches of the LCLS with Executive Director Antonia Goana and were able to see the new technology in action.
“The biggest challenge with this project has been getting new technology to work in our older buildings,” said Antonia. “It’s taken a lot of creativity and problem solving.”
The Pine Bluffs Branch Library also provides self-service access to approved patrons.
This project will benefit the two communities greatly. The library branches in Burns and Pine Bluffs are truly community hubs for those who live there. By bringing innovative technology to rural branches, LCLS continues its work to expand services and ensure residents across Laramie County have consistent, reliable access to library resources. LCLS’ Self-Service Library Access represents a new model for rural libraries, expanding access, increasing reliability, and bringing innovative services to rural communities across Laramie County. Learn more at lcls.pro/selfservice.
Established in 1886, Laramie County Library System (LCLS) in Cheyenne is the oldest continually operating county library system in the United States. Serving more than 96,000 residents through locations in Cheyenne, Pine Bluffs, Burns, and a mobile library, LCLS works to ignite curiosity, fuel imagination, and connect community by providing access to information, lifelong learning opportunities, and welcoming spaces for all.
Funded through Laramie County property and sales taxes, LCLS offers free access to information, diverse collections, and innovative programs that support literacy, discovery, and community connection. Library events and exhibitions are supported through an endowment provided by the Laramie County Library Foundation.