Happy Fall - Enjoy the October E-Newsletter!

Here's your e-newsletter for the Albany County Public Library, the ACPL Foundation, and the Friends of the Library. Read on for updates and upcoming events. Mark your calendar for the next Friends of the Library sale!

ACPL Construction Update

Above: A photo of the completed public restrooms at the Laramie Branch. 

ACPL remains under construction in fall 2025. We're excited to note that the multi-purpose spaces are coming together nicely and an end to the construction portion of the project is in sight! 

To remind you, the project will allow ACPL to update two multi-purpose spaces and create one new space. The Meeting Room and Conference Room will be completely updated. The Activity Center, will be a place for ACPL youth programming and to add additional space for the Children's Area. All three spaces will be accessed through the new lobby space. 

Following the completion of construction, ACPL will prep the rooms for public access. ACPL will procure the needed furniture and items for each space. Library staff are preparing for an update to meeting room scheduling software. Staff will also be trained on how to run the updated technology and AV equipment in the spaces. 

Thank you to our project supporters: the Wyoming Library Multi-Purpose Community Facility Program (WLMCF), Albany County 1% Optional Funds, the Albany County Recreation Board, and the ACPL Foundation. 

Timeline:

• Our construction team is still hard at work in the spaces and on the front entrance. We expect to be substantially completed on the construction portion of the completed project by the end of 2025.
• Per grant guidelines, the project must be completed by September 2026.

Photo Progress:

Have you been following along with our weekly progress updates? You can see how construction is progressing every Friday on the ACPL website or on social media (Facebook or Instagram). 

Library Updates

• Our friends at First Interstate Bank helped with outdoor projects, such as repainting ACPL's yellow curb areas and general grounds clean up. The curbing looks so much better! (see photo, above)
• ACPL saw record numbers this year for the Summer Reading Program. The library had 1,228 sign ups, handed out 1,836 reading logs, and participants collectively read 18,950 hours!
• In July and August alone, ACPL saw 33,871 check outs and had 239 people sign up for library cards!
• ALBY, the bookmobile, has completed its summer/fall season. ALBY is headed off to work on interior updates and for a bit of R&R. 

Read the ACPL Foundation's FY25 Annual Report to see how your support helps the library!

Upcoming Programs: October to December 2025

Adults:

Drop-In Bedazzled Book Cover Art - Nov. 9 from 1pm-4pm. Join us for a drop-in class bedazzling your book covers! A limited number of supplies will be provided for participants. BYOBook to make beautiful!

Murder Mystery Scavenger Hunt - A scavenger hunt for adults. Participate anytime ACPL is open through the end of 2025. It's a murder mystery featuring various literary villains. 

Silent Book Club: Third Tuesday from 5pm - 6pm. In collaboration with the Wyoming Institute of Humanities Research. 

Murder Book Club (True Crime): Second Thursday at 6pm at ACPL.

Cozy Mystery Book Club: First Monday at 2pm at ACPL.

Tweens:

YAK! - Thursdays at 4pm in the Wyoming Room. For grades 4th-6th. Have a blast with science, tech, art, and more! Explore new ideas and skills.

Weekly Children Programs:

Book Babies - Tuesdays at 10:30am in the Children's Area. 

Preschool Circle Time - Thursdays at 10:30am in the Children's Area. 

Toddler Storytime - Fridays at 10:30am in the Children's Area. 

Preschool Playtime - Saturdays at 10am in the Children's Area. 

Kids Lego Club - Saturdays at 1pm in the Wyoming Room.

Special Children Events:

Read with a Ranger - Tuesdays (Oct. 14, Nov. 4, Dec. 9) at 4pm in the Children's Area. Programs oriented to children in grades K-5.

Children's Book Event - Nov. 1 from 10am-11:30am. Join award-winning Wyoming children’s author Leslie Colburn for a whimsical family experience: "Twinkle the Littlest Star" – an interactive book walk-through at ACPL. No registration required; supplies are limited.

Lantern Walk - Nov. 8 from 4:30pm-5:30pm. Join us for a celebration of the changing seasons! Bring the whole family to make a lantern, sing songs, take a candle-lit walk and enjoy a warm beverage. Supplies are limited; no registration required.

Children's Book Event - Dec. 5 from 4pm-5:30pm. Join local author and artist Tara Pappas for this special family friendly children’s book event. Listen to Tara read her new book, "Better with a Bear" and then join her for a creative art project to follow! Books will be available for purchase and signing. No registration required; supplies are limited.

Winter Fest - Dec. 20 from 2pm-4pm. Al all ages/family winter celebration program with a hot cocoa bar, games, crafts, and fun! Adult Take & Make Kits will be available for pickup at Winter Fest.

*No programming the week of Thanksgiving.

You can learn more about upcoming events on ACPL's website or by following ACPL on Facebook or Instagram.

Your support makes a great library event better! Consider providing a donation to support library services, programs, technology, and special projects.

o

Friends of the Library Upcoming Sale