Pictured l to r: Shannon Reynolds, Nancy Bowles, Jenni Palm, Library Director Bonnie Stahla, Serena Buckner, Shannon Weaver, Carrie Riley, Lacey Rasco
Tonia Blakeman
The Crook County Library has had a number of staff changes in the past couple of years with new faces and with familiar folks taking on new roles. This seems a good opportunity to get to know some of those who work in the system’s three libraries:
Crook County Library, Sundance
Carrie Riley began her library adventure in the spring of 2016 as the Adult Services Librarian at the Crook County Library in Sundance. She has enjoyed many great years of hosting craft classes, reading challenges and the opportunity of getting to know our patrons and their literary likes. In the summer of 2022, Carrie took over as the Branch Manager, which started a year of big changes, not only in her new role at the library but a completely new set of librarians at the library. Our staff has come a long way and Carrie is looking forward to what will come next in her journey. Her favorite genres are fantasy, horror, general fiction and some non-fiction, but she will read just about anything.
Shannon Weaver has been the Adult Services Librarian since October of 2022. She come to us from the early childhood education field. Shannon loves working with the patrons and being back in the community. She enjoys teaching the adult craft classes and visiting with all of the patrons. She is also restarting the Lunch Bunch Book discussion group. Shannon enjoys books by Ann Charles, Fern Michaels, and Nora Roberts.
Tonia Blakeman has been the Youth Services Librarian since August 2022. She enjoys reading to the children in our community very much. She also enjoys visiting with the kids about what books they are reading and helping find books that interest them in the library. Tonia recently took the advice of a couple of students and is reading the Warriors series by Erin Hunter and the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riorden and both series have been excellent.
Hulett Branch Library
Nancy Bowles started working at the Hulett Branch Library in March 2014 as the Branch Manager/Adult Librarian. She schedules the Adult Programs, leads Book Discussion group as well as senior exercise Monday through Friday and a 5-mile walking group twice a week. She enjoys listening to audio books from Libby on her long commute to work.
Jenni Palm started the first part of July as the Hulett Youth Services Librarian. She was the librarian at a private school in Casper before relocating to Hulett a couple years ago. She listens to audiobooks whenever possible. Right now she is trying to catch up on all the children’s through young adult books.
Moorcroft Branch Library
This building has three full time staff members who all just happen to be Moorcroft natives.
Serena Buckner is the newest member of the team. She joined us in March 2023 as the Branch Manager. Her favorite part of her job is the variety. She can be found covering the front desk, assisting in the children’s section, leading crafts or behind her computer promoting the library. Serena is an avid reader and currently working her way through Fern Michael’s Sisterhood Series.
Lacey Rasco became the Youth Services Librarian in January of 2016. While her primary role is working with the youth, she is the craftiest of the Moorcroft staff and we greatly appreciate her help with our adult craft classes. Lacey’s favorite part of her job is interacting and conversing with the kids during programs. She is currently reading November 9 by Colleen Hoover.
Shannon Reynolds has been the Adult Services Librarian since May 2022. Shannon has an amazing knack for remembering patrons’ names, reading preferences and any information they have shared with her. Shannon leads a monthly book club and is reading “The Giver Of The Stars” by JoJo Moyes for the August meeting. She has chosen Colleen Coble’s “Tidewater Inn” for their September book.