Library News

Excitement is building at the Converse County Libraries as the Summer Reading Season has begun for 2023! The theme this year is All Together Now and the programs for all age groups will explore positive themes of friendship, unity and kindness. The season will run through July.
We currently have two art exhibits in various stages at the Glenrock Library, the Dreams in Bloom show with photography by self-taught Canary Islands-born artist Fares Micue, which runs through July.
Currently being set up is the Deer Creek Days Art Show, which runs June 16-30. Pick up forms to enter at the library; the deadline to turn in art has been extended. There will be a reception June 24 at 1 p.m. 
June 7, we will have a fun activity for kids in the Meeting Hall to start off this season at 2-3 p.m. The kids will get their pen-pal assignments for the summer and meet a darling pot-bellied pig. Then, the Children’s Storytime for the summer will be in the Meeting Hall on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10-11 a.m.
Also June 7, the Adult Book & Brew Clubs will have a countywide potluck picnic at Natural Bridge, starting at 6:30 p.m., to discuss Perestroika in Paris, by Jane Smiley.
Glenrock will have a Kick-Off Party in conjunction with the Grand Re-opening of our outdoor courtyard space, which now has a stage and improved landscaping. The event will be June 8 from 5-7 p.m., and will feature free Oompah Ice, entertainment and games. Live music will be provided onstage in our new space by the always popular singer/songwriter JBird Shogren.
This gravely voiced prolific singer/songwriter has performed at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, numerous stages in Europe, and even represented Wyoming one year at the International Blues Festival in Scotland! 
In addition, The Lion’s Club will be on hand with their delicious burgers and dogs for sale! Bring along chairs, hats, sunscreen and bug spray.
The Mixology Classes for adults will continue this summer with a Friends and Girlfriends class June 12 at 7 p.m. Jacey, from The College Inn Bar, will demonstrate how to make cocktails inspired by the series Friends, and Sex and The City. You must be 21 or older to attend this free event. For planning purposes, we ask that you sign up for the class ahead of time.
The first adult craft class of the All Together Now theme will be a Quilted Heart class to make heart-shaped tokens to leave in trees, on benches, etc., to brighten people’s day! The event is June 14 from 6-8 p.m. in the MakerSpace in Glenrock. If you have a sewing machine and scraps of material, bring them, and if you don’t the hearts can be made without a sewing machine. We are asking for donations of fabric scraps, if anyone wishes to bring some in for us!
Finally, in the next couple of weeks, we will have a family-friendly Stargazing event at Natural Bridge June 16 at 8:30 p.m. We ask that you sign up in advance.
The final stages of getting the StoryWalk up and running has brought great excitement. With the generous help of Randy Rumpler and the crew at the Town of Glenrock it is almost complete. 
The walk will be along the creek path by the Town Park and will feature pages from children’s storybooks. The StoryWalk Project was the brainchild of Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. The StoryWalks in Converse County are the result of a great deal of time, effort and heartfelt dedication of our former director Cindy Moore. We will be having a grand opening for the project once it’s completed. Stay turned for information in the near future.
There is a fundraiser currently going on at the Converse County Libraries, sponsored by the CCL Foundation Board, which funds special projects and events year-round for the libraries. A 50/50 Cash Raffle will be held. Get tickets for a chance to win at either branch at one ticket for $1 or six for $5. The winner will be drawn June 9 during the Jackalope City Art Show Reception and Awards Night at CCL Douglas. Participants don’t have to be present to win, but need to claim their prize within seven days of the drawing.
To sign up for Summer Reading go to the Beanstack App, or to yourccl.beanstack.org then be sure to indicate the age of the participant and from which library they will be participating from (either Glenrock or Douglas).
If you don’t have a computer or device at home, stop by the library and we will help you get set up on one of our machines.
If you wish to participate in any of the events or classes listed above please contact Tamara Lehner at 436-2573 or email her via tlehner@conversecountylibrary.org to sign up in advance.