The GCL’s street entrance
The Goshen County Library (GCL) has been serving the citizens of Torrington, Wyoming, and the surrounding area for over one hundred years. Three Wyoming State Library (WSL) employees including Abby Beaver, Wyoming State Librarian; Letitia Bulic, the WSL’s Youth Services Consultant; and Christi Weinzierl, the WSL’s Communications and Grants Specialist, had the privilege of visiting and exploring the GCL on June 19.
The GCL’s north entrance
Cristine Braddy, the GSL’s director, graciously provided a tour of the library grounds, which includes beautiful spaces both indoors and outdoors for patrons to enjoy library programming, visit and play with friends and family, or simply enjoy a great book from the library.
The GCL’s indoor exploration area
The GCL features Goshen County’s only indoor play and discovery space for kids, which includes a construction site and a grocery store for imaginative play, as well as cloud light covers to provide a “playing outside” feel, even when the Wyoming weather doesn’t cooperate.
Barbara, a community member, and Cristine Braddy, director of the GCL with some of the library’s orchids
Breathtaking orchids, provided by and cared for by a Goshen County community member, both beautify and bring the outdoors inside and beautiful artwork by local artists, including two literary-themed archways, one indoors and one outdoors, contribute to the library’s visual appeal. Several other indoor spaces allow for summer reading activities, crafting, or other programming. Numerous board games and puzzles, including an oversized Connect 4, also provide sources of indoor/outdoor fun for patrons.
So many nooks and books at the GCL
Shelves upon shelves of classic and contemporary fiction and nonfiction books, as well as other media abound at the GCL. Racks of movies and video games filled in the space between the shelves. Tables, chairs, beanbags, and cozy nooks provide space to gather with others or read or study alone.
Another amenity provided at the GCL include a PATHS telehealth booth for community members to use for remote medical appointments. According to the GSL;s director, the PATHS booth gets a lot of use and is very beneficial to those who live in the area. “It cuts down on travel time,” said Christine. “Many people would need to drive a long distance for medical appointments. This allows them to see their doctor or specialist without having to travel.” Read more about PATHS telehealth booth (exterior) PATHS here.
PATHS telehealth booth (exterior)
Even more wonders await outside the library’s main building. A collection of benches that convert to picnic tables surround an outdoor presentation area. Raised garden beds filled with dirt, seeds, and dreams also adorned the library’s “backyard.” A fossil area (currently awaiting fill dirt) will soon allow young library patrons to dig for fossils; the area is surrounded by stones just perfect for parents and caregivers supervising their budding archeologists.
Fossils waiting to be buried and unearthed by young GCL patrons
The GCL hosts weekly summer reading events with educational, motivating, and entertaining activities. It happened to be a Wednesday when the WSL visited and so many things that were happening at once. Some children were making bracelets with beads they’d earned for reaching their summer reading goals, while others participated in crafts or other literacy-related activities. Still others waited in line to check out their most recent book choices to take home and enjoy. The GCL was a beehive of excitement with children, parents, and library staff–all abuzz with their love of reading.
The GCL’s outdoor garden and fossil areas
“We have between 100 and 125 show up each week during our summer reading program,” said Cristine.
A decorative archway designed and installed by a local artist
The GCL, with its amazing staff and beautiful indoor and outdoor facilities is a great asset to Torrington and the rest of Goshen County. If you haven’t paid this amazing Wyoming library a visit, yet, you need to put it on your list!
The Goshen County Library offers programming for patrons of all ages. Check out their events calendar for more details.