Thomas Ivie, 1967-2021
Hearts are heavy at the Wyoming State Library today as we mourn the death of one of our own. Thomas Ivie passed away over the weekend, after a brief illness. He was 54.
His Celebration of Life will take place at 10 am on Friday, June 11, at the Cheyenne Hills Church, 7505 U.S. Highway 30 in Cheyenne. His obituary can be found at https://buff.ly/3cmMuTd.
Thomas was the WSL’s Research & Statistics Librarian. He originally joined us On October 30, 2013, as the Digital Initiatives Librarian working on the Wyoming Newspapers project. In June 2015 he moved into the Library Development Office to take over library statistics, while continuing to head up Wyoming Newspapers. He created special online exhibits on Wyoming’s 125th birthday and on the Heart Mountain Internment camp. His work on Wyoming Newspapers led to an invitation to speak on a digitization panel at the American Library Association Mid-Winter meeting in 2018.
Thomas on Snapshot Day 2017
Thomas worked closely with libraries across the state. He was Wyoming’s State Data Coordinator for the national Public Libraries Survey, conducted annually by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and a coordinator for the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant.
The pandemic brought not only facemasks, but also extra federal grants to manage. Thomas and fellow LSTA Coordinator Susan Mark hold up their “Frequent Flyer” award from IMLS.
Showing off his John Lorenz Award for timely work on the public libraries survey with State Librarian Jamie Markus.
He worked with the state’s 13 institutions, providing expert advice and much-needed assistance to those libraries serving Wyoming’s incarcerated, elderly, and other groups in need. He also, with Paige Bredenkamp, put together the monthly training calendar, which is used nationally.
Thomas with fellow members of the LDO team — Chris Van Burgh (left) and Paige Bredenkamp.
Thomas’s career spanned over 20 years in state, academic, school, and public libraries. He held a bachelor’s degree in business, a master’s in public administration from the University of Idaho and a Master of Science in library and information science from the University of North Texas. He received a SWIM grant to earn his master’s degree, funded by an IMLS grant to a four-state cooperative of South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana.He was a member of the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL).
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na STATMAN!
He was our STATMAN (always willing to don a Batman mask for the role) and our “What the Tech” guru, doing the work to bring that popular session to the Wyoming Library Association conference. He could not only dress as a pirate to promote a database, but also find and tell bad pirate jokes to go with the outfit. If he was on the planning committee for the next office party, you knew it’d be a good one. He was always ready with a smile or a laugh and was a bright spot in our day. He will be missed in our library.
Why stop at one pirate eye patch when you can wear two?
Thomas with (l to r) Tekla Slider, Skye from Paw Patrol, and Jamie Markus.
Thomas and Laramie County Library System’s Rachael Svoboda getting in the holiday mood.
At the 2017 holiday party.
A Snapshot Day bookface.
Thomas and Paul Goodson (no longer at the WSL) on the occasion of the 2017 solar eclipse.
Thomas’s presence in our library will be missed.
I am so sorry to hear he has left us. Tom was so helpful as I completed my MLIS and worked on a project with the Wyoming Department of Corrections. He was kind and helpful and fun to talk with. He will be missed.
Tom was a fine librarian, ever generous with his knowledge. Heartily sorry to learn of his passing.
Bidding peace to all his friends, his family, and his fellows at the State Library.
I’m so sorry to hear this news. Tom was so great to work with. He brightened any room he entered. It was an absolute pleasure to know him. We will miss him at the SDC meetings and I will miss working with him. Sending love and condolences to his family.
I am saddened at the passing of Tom. Although I do not lnopw him personally I “know” his sister Karla. The pictures potray a beautiful soul and I am so very sorry for his family’s loss. May he rejoice in peaceful slumber in Abraham’s arms till His Heavenly Father comes to take him home in glory. My prayers of comfort are with the family.
I always enjoyed working with Tom. He was so helpful and kind even when reminding me to submit reports to him. He is a loss to Wyoming libraries and the library profession.
I knew Tom only through SDC meetings, but it was clear that he was the kind of person everyone wanted on their team to bring humor, cheer, and thoughtful perspective. My condolences to his family, coworkers, and colleagues.
I will miss that smiling gentle voice Tom had. He was fun to be around. He help me get the cpr training equipment and had been on the A&I safety committee. My thoughts and prayers goes out to his family. RIP my friend and hope to see you again one day.
Tom was a fantastic guy. I worked with him on committees and planning with WLLI (Wyoming Library Leadership Institute). He had an amazing sense of humor and was a genuinely kind person. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. He will not only be missed, but will be remembered for the positive impact he had on the people around him.
Tom Ivie – what a vibrant, life-loving guy. Tom was passionate about the work, and he brought joy to every room he was in. Sending my condolences to his friends, loved ones, and all Tom’s colleagues at the Wyoming State Library. Tom will certainly be missed.
Tom was always so fun at our annual SDC meetings. He will be missed by all of us across the country. I am saddened for his family, friends, and coworkers and will keep them in my heart.
My fondest memory of Tom was when we were counselors at kids camp. Tom boys raided our cabin with sword and underwear on their heads. Great memories filled with sharing our lunches, hanging out together, midnight scavenger hunts and fireworks (sparklers and smoke) and midnight hikes. You will be forever in our hearts until we all reunite in heaven!♥️ Love and hugs friend. I will remember you. You,Joyce Stephens Tuttle, and me. Those were the days!
Tom was one of the best humans. I will miss seeing him at conferences and I will miss his hugs.