The Sublette County Libraries in Pinedale and Big Piney were busy places this summer! The two libraries that comprise Sublette County’s library system both hosted an extensive lineup of programs and events for their patrons, with a total number of 4,559 youth programming visits across both libraries, according to Kathy Lecheminant, Sublette County Libraries’ Children’s Programming Specialist.
Art is messy, but fun for this tiny Sublette County patron.
One such event was a drop-in tie-dye event in for kids and teenagers on June 5. Young people were invited to the Pinedale Library to tie-dye tote bags for their summer reading adventures. More than 200 kids and teens came (even in the rain!) to tie-dye their bags.
“I just went swimming with my daughter at our local pool and multiple kids were using their bags to hold swimsuits and towels, said Kathy. “It makes my heart happy seeing them around town.”
Salad spinners and other unusual methods were used to create beautiful works of art at the Sublette County Libraries’ Mess-tival.
The Pinedale Library also hosted Mess-tival, a messy art festival for children and teens, on June 12. They ran one session for birth through 5th grade and another for 6th through 12th grade, with a total of 262 patrons attending. With the help of volunteers, the library staff set up stations for sidewalk chalk, Jackson Pollock-style painting, rock painting, spin art in salad spinners, seed bomb making with native wildflower seeds donated by Sublette County Weed and Pest, bubble wands with 14 gallons of bubble solution, sand art bracelets and more. Local artist, Mae Orm, contributed 30 original line drawings that kids painted, which were later displayed in the library’s gallery space. Despite the labor-intensive setup and cleanup, the event was “an absolute blast,” to quote Sublette County Library staff.
Giant pieces of cardboard make great canvases for creativity!
More art was created at the Big Piney Library’s Giant Painting event during which patrons were invited to come paint on an epic scale at the library. The courtyard was lined with cardboard, staff brought out washable paint, plastic totes were filled with water for rinsing and everyone had a blast making beautiful masterpieces.
Sublette County patrons enjoy a library tea party.
“The Sublette County Fair was the perfect opportunity to offer henna tattoos and set up a bracelet making station, as well as host a tea party with finger sandwiches and fancy hats!” said LaTisha Phillips, Sublette County Libraries Youth Services Specialist. Many stopped by to partake of the activities throughout the duration of the fair.
Sublette County patrons work on self-portraits during the Create Like the Greats event.
Another Pinedale Library event, Create Like the Greats, allowed patrons to explore the work of several famous artists and create their own art, as well, with stations highlighting famous artists including Self Portraits with Frida Kahlo, Pop Art hands from Andy Warhol, Starry night inspired by Vincent Van Gogh and splatter paintings with Jackson Pollock
“It was fun to explore different types of art and different artists!” said Amanda DeBernardi, Sublette County Libraries Adult Services Specialist.
A spooky Friday the 13th Teen Lock-in provided thrills and chills.
The Big Piney Library hosted their annual teen lock-in in June, which is most anticipated teen event of the year. This year, the event was held on Friday the 13th, so it was full of fun and frights! Teens had to solve the case of the missing librarian and set her spirit free from a cursed book, had Mario Kart tournaments, and played laser tag in the stacks. S’mores, popcorn, and a not-so-scary movie were enjoyed by all.
Paint-filled balloons + kids = fun in the sun
Big Piney Library patrons put paint to another use during the Great Paint Bomb Battle. Staff filled water balloons with washable paint and water. After the kids strapped on safety goggles, everyone had a great time outside.
A young patron examines some berries found during a foraging event.
The Pinedale Library hosted a two-day foraging workshop lead by Arlaina Goddard, local forager and library champion. There was a classroom information session followed by a field trip to Boyd Skinner Park in Pinedale. All ages participated and patrons learned about the different edible plants that grow natively in the area and different ways to use them.
Cupcakes and birthday books make story time sweet!
Summer story time is always so much fun, but it’s even more fun when it’s on your birthday!! At a birthday-themed story time in Big Piney, young patrons talked about their special days, read books about birthdays and sang fun songs. Cupcakes to decorate and enjoy made the event even more special!
Kids connected with Sheriff K.C. Lehr and learned about safety.
Kids connected with local heroes through stories and safety tips at a special story time with the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office on June 18. More than 140 people attended the event that featured Sheriff K.C. Lehr.
Smokey the Bear was on hand to meet and greet Sublette County kids at a special safety-themed story time.
At another special story time on July 2, more than 150 patrons enjoyed listening to stories and learning about fire safety with the U.S. Forest Service. Staff and patrons got to sing Gene Autry’s “Smokey the Bear” as a big group, and meet Smokey at the end of storytime. More than 150 patrons came.
Patrons had their choice of canvases to add to at the Street Art Spray Painting event.
Teens, and even some grown ups, participated in a street art spray paint event! A spot right on Big Piney’s main street on 4th of July weekend was the perfect place for patrons to hang out and add some art to the library’s many canvases!
“Isn’t this vandalism?” asked a patron.
“No, it’s art!” replied a member of Sublette County Libraries staff.
Families danced and splashed in a giant cloud of foam at a foam party on July 24, which was described as “the embodiment of joy.” A total of 218 kids and their families participated in the kids’ session, while 40 teenagers attended a special foam event just for them.
A Pantry for All
Story time on July 30 combined literacy with community service. Along with other books, participants listened to a special book called, “A Pantry for All,” written by Kathy LeCheminant and volunteers from The Food Basket volunteers and illustrated by Maria Pereira. Donations of hygiene products were collected for the local food pantry, The Food Basket, so kids and families could have hygiene products for the back-to-school season. The donations were counted and celebrated at the end of the story time.
Sublette County kids got to be rock stars, too!
A musical celebration partnership show with the Pinedale Fine Arts Council on August 1 wrapped up the season. The Lonesome Heroes set up a line of microphones so young Sublette County Library patrons could also be rock stars, and library patrons and staff sang and shook it to “Old Time Rock and Roll” and some Lonesome Heroes originals.
Sublette County Libraries’ summer reading fun has now come to a close, both the Pinedale Library and the Big Piney Library host a variety of engaging and enriching programs and events throughout the year. Check out their events page for updated information.