Youth Services
Resources and Support
The Wyoming State Library’s Youth Services program serves as a primary resource for the advancement of early childhood literacy and statewide teen initiatives.
Popular Resources
Latest News
Munger Mountain Elementary School Helps Students Shop for Gifts With Special Event
Next week, Munger Mountain Elementary School (MMES) in Jackson, Wyoming,...
Ten Books Selected for Wyoming Reads 2026
Ten children's books were recently selected for Wyoming Reads 2026....
CSLP 2026
The 2026 CSLP “Unearth a Story” manual has officially clawed its way online — and it’s T-Rexcellent!
Get ready to dig deep into prehistoric programming ideas, Jurassic-level activities, and rawr-some artwork that will make your summer library programs truly legendary.
Don’t be a lazy-saurus — the manual is live and ready to download, but you’ll need the special access code to excavate all the fun.
Let’s make 2026 a pterrific, dino-mite summer full of ROAR-some reading adventures!
- Contact Joanne for the access code
Newsletter Sign Up
Sign up to The WY-YS Librarian Lowdown, the official Youth Services newsletter. Learn more about our new format!
Youth Services Consultant
Joanne Pruitt is the Youth Services Consultant at the Wyoming State Library and her life is pretty much an open book. She spends her days ensuring our state’s youth librarians have a novel amount of support, helping them navigate the twists and turns of literacy and programming without ever losing their plot.
Whether it’s acting as the CSLP Wyoming State Representative to keep our summer reading from becoming a cliffhanger, or serving as the “J” to the PB&J webinar series (because every great session needs a little jelly to stick together!), she’s dedicated to making sure our libraries are the best spots in the West.
In short, Joanne is here to make sure Wyoming’s youth services are never overdue for an upgrade and she’s always ready to help you check out new ideas or return to the basics of great library service!
Opportunities & Resources
Grant Opportunties
Carol McMurry Library Endowment
Deadline: March 31, 2026
Provide support to Wyoming library staff and volunteers and to publicly accessible Wyoming libraries in three areas: (1) Education & Training, (2) Library Resources, (3) Library Foundation Development.
The Pilcrow Foundation Rural Public Libraries Grant
Deadline: April 1, 2026
Libraries qualify for the Children’s Book Project grant on an individual basis. To qualify for the grant, libraries must be located in a rural area within the 50 United States, have a limited operating budget, have an active children’s department, and raise $200-$400 through a local sponsor.
Daniels’ Fund Grant
Deadline: Ongoing
The Daniels Fund provides grants to organizations delivering programs in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Utah that align with our funding areas, as defined by their founder (Aging, Amateur Sports, Disabilities, Drug & Alcohol Addiction, Early Childhood Education, Homeless & Disadvantaged, K-12 Education Reform, and Youth Development.
National Leadership Grants for Libraries
Deadline: Ongoing
The National Leadership Grants for Libraries Program (NLG-L) supports projects that develop, enhance, or disseminate replicable practices, programs, models, or tools to strengthen library and archival services for the American public.
Black Hills Corporation Community Giving
Deadline: Ongoing
Areas of focus are arts and culture, civic and community development, education, environment, human services, and youth development. Giving limited to Black Hills Energy service areas.
The Community Heart & Soul Grant Program
Deadline: Ongoing
Provides $10,000 in funding for resident-driven groups in small cities and towns to start the Community Heart & Soul model. Grant funding requires a $10,000 cash match from the participating municipality or a partnering organization.
Believe in Reading – Grants for Literacy Program
Deadline: Ongoing
Grants are made to organizations with 501(c) (3) status or its equivalent for educational institutions, including public libraries.
Rural Technology Education & Assistive Technology (AT) Grants
Deadline: Ongoing
Grants are typically $500 – $2,500 for staff and student-led projects in public schools and libraries.
Links & Resources
WyoState-YSC Facebook Page
Updates on Wyoming YS happenings, a space for making connections, and programming ideas!
WyoState-YSC Pinterest Page
Vetted links with various ‘boards’ including CSLP ideas, Grants, and Youth Services Programming plans.
Wyoming State Library YouTube Page
Webinars, instructional videos, and library resource guides produced by the Wyoming State Library.
Wyoming Children’s Performer Directory
Please edit, add, share performers that are willing to visit Wyoming Libraries! Many performers will give multiple-library discounts if booking together.
Wyoming Library Association
To promote the profession of librarianship and participation of Wyoming libraries in regional, national, and global library arenas.
WLA’s Youth Services Interest Group
To provide leadership, collaboration, and educational opportunities specific to public library services, issues, and technology impacting youth and those who serve them.
WLA’s School Library Interest Group
To provide leadership, collaboration, and educational opportunities specific to public library services, issues, and technology impacting youth and those who serve them.
Wyoming Libraries.net
The Wyoming Library Association has developed a private online community for Wyoming library professionals to connect, collaborate and share ideas and information. To join our community, please email wyominglibraries@gmail.
Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP)
Shared resources and collaborative committees, CSLP makes it easier and more affordable for libraries to host high-quality summer reading programs that enrich their communities.