Platte County Record-Times
September 20. 2006
Laora Tercosi, Staff Writer
Gov. Dave Freudenthal presents a check for $103,553.39 to Platte County Library System Director Julie Henion. (l-r) PC Clerk of Courts Skrinny Dixon, Gov. Freudenthal, Julie Henion, Jan Kahler. Photo/Laora Tercosi
Governor Dave Freudenthal made the rounds in Wheatland last Thursday, meeting constituents and discussing issues ranging from fire engines to concerns about the high cost of health insurance premiums.
The highlight of the day was the Governor¹s presentation of a check for $103,553.39 to the Platte County Public Library.
For the first time in Wyoming's history, the state legislature voted to invest money in county libraries. "It's really wonderful," said Julie Henion, Director of the Platte County Library system. "It shows that the legislature appreciates what an essential role libraries play in their communities." Over $4 million was distributed to county libraries across the state.
According to Jan Kahler, a member of the library's board of directors, a portion of the money will immediately go towards updating older non-fiction material. "And DVDs," laughed Kahler, "everyone likes the DVD collection. They're expensive, and they don't take up a lot of shelf space either."
The money from the legislature is restricted to purchasing materials, and must be spent over a three-year period. Staff will decide on books, subscriptions, audio books, CDs and DVDs that will enhance the library's current collection. "We're taking suggestions too," said Henion. Library
patrons are invited to drop in and let staff members know of any specific materials they'd like to see on the shelves.
Freudenthal encouraged library staff to ask patrons to thank their legislators for making the commitment to county libraries. "You do something like this once and it can make enough of a difference that maybe it's worth doing again," Freudenthal said. "Talk to your legislators
about it."
