July 28, 2026 |
Photo – Bigfoot 99 File Photo
The Carbon County Library System has a new director, albeit part-time. This arrangement appears likely to continue.
The Carbon County Library Board met last week to discuss its priorities and pass a budget for the current fiscal year. After handling clerical matters, the Board chose Deb Riker to serve as its new chairperson. The previous chair, Addie Myers, recently resigned.
Myers isn’t the only person connected to the county’s libraries to step down. After nearly three and a half years as director of the Carbon County Library System, Maria Wenzel left in September. Her departure came shortly after the county’s annual contribution to the system was cut by more than 50 percent due to statewide property‑tax relief programs.
Library Foundation member Jenita Calton stepped in to serve as interim director until Wenzel’s replacement could be found. In May, the Library Board announced that a new director had been hired: Jacob Ray. In an open letter, the Board wrote that Ray worked in Alaska’s North Slope and understood the unique challenges of operating rural libraries.
Despite the Board’s optimism, Ray served as Library System director for only six weeks. In his resignation letter, he wrote that remaining in Carbon County would not benefit his professional career.
At the July 22nd Carbon County Library Board meeting, Jenita Calton was appointed interim director once again. However, this time, she will only serve part time.
The Library Board asked Wyoming State Librarian Abby Beaver, who was attending the meeting virtually, if any other library system in the state uses a part‑time director. Beaver said she didn’t believe so, but added that the Board should review state law to ensure they remain in compliance.
State Librarian Beaver recommended reaching out to Big Horn County Library Director Barbara Johnston, as she has experience running a library system on a severely reduced budget.
For now, Jenita Calton will serve as interim director for the Carbon County Library System. She asked to wait before searching for a permanent replacement again to avoid further disruptions to library employees. While Calton acknowledged that she may not be able to fulfill all the duties of the library director while working part time, she said the stability of having a consistent director will benefit staff.
The Library Board members agreed they may need to revisit the duties of the library director before reopening the position, saying times have changed and the role may need to look different than it has in the past. Instead of a traditional director, Board member Kathy Beck recommended having the position focus on financial responsibilities and helping branch managers increase engagement.
The Board will review the proposed changes to the director’s position at a future meeting. The members also approved the work Calton has already completed as interim director. As reported by Bigfoot99 and Bandit102, Calton created a budget that keeps all seven of the county’s branches open. Under her Partner Program, the Library System is asking towns to contribute to staffing while the Library Foundation, which fund raises for all the county’s branches, covers operational costs. Supported by a $30,000 contribution from the Board of Carbon County Commissioners, this model ensures that every branch can remain open for at least five hours a week.
