Every October, libraries across the country celebrate National Friends of the Library Week, a time to recognize the extraordinary volunteers whose generosity and dedication make our libraries stronger. Here in Natrona County, our Friends of the Library are an essential part of everything we do, from fundraising and community outreach to hands-on service that extends far beyond our walls.
A Legacy of Support
This year, the Friends reached remarkable new milestones. Since their founding, total income from book sales has surpassed $1.5 million, a testament to decades of consistent community support.
In 2024, their sales brought in $38,227, and in 2025, they have already exceeded $39,200.
2025 Book Sale Highlights
Music Sale – $2,611.59
Spring Book Sale – $11,057
Special Nonfiction Sale – $6,327.56
Summer Bag Sale – $7,733.41
Comicon Booth – $1,458.17
Fall Book Sale – $10,020
Holiday Bag Sale coming December 4–6
From Book Sales to Community Building
Three special events added both revenue and heart: a Music Sale featuring Casper Symphony musicians and an “instrument petting zoo,” a one-day Nonfiction Sale highlighting a generous collector’s donation, and a booth at Comicon filled with sci-fi and comic treasures.
Those events did more than raise funds. At the Music Sale, patrons donated to the Casper Humane Society and the Library’s Summer Reading Program in place of admission, reminding everyone that generosity multiplies when it starts with community.
Expanding Reach Through Partnerships
The Friends also expanded their reach through a new partnership with BetterWorldBooks, shipping nearly 1,905 pounds of surplus books and generating $475 in profit while saving the equivalent of 22 trees. Rare and unique items found new homes through online sales, adding another $2,000 in revenue.
Investing in the Library’s Future
The Friends’ financial contributions matched their effort. In 2024, they donated $35,000 to the Library and $3,000 to Wyoming Reads. In 2025, they have already contributed $25,000 toward Library services and programs.
These gifts fund everything from children’s and teen programming to adult workshops and creative projects in the Creation Station. Each dollar stretches the Library’s reach a little further, turning community donations into lifelong learning.
Volunteers at the Core
Behind those numbers are people: 48 volunteers who gave 3,590 hours of their time to sort donations, staff sales, and support Library programs. Their work also extended to creative and community partnerships, leading Junk Journal classes, supplying prizes for adult Summer Reading, and collaborating with groups like the Fort Caspar Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Casper Autism and Special-Needs Support Group to celebrate National Library Week and honor Library staff.
Their outreach efforts reached farther than ever before. This year, the Friends donated materials to local schools, daycares, and libraries in Casper, Edgerton, and Glenrock, sent books overseas to the Philippines, and provided reading materials to hospitals, retirement communities, and even the Casper Humane Society.
Gratitude for the Friends Who Give So Much
As we celebrate National Friends of the Library Week, we extend our deepest gratitude to these volunteers who transform time and effort into impact and inspiration. The Friends of the Natrona County Library remind us that libraries do not just collect stories, they depend on them.