Perhaps when you think of Kremmling, an image of the cliffs comes to mind. Maybe it’s the Fair, Middle Park Meat, Big Shooters or dirt bikes. When I think of Kremmling, I think of community. A town that looks out for each other with a thriving library at its hub.

Kremmling Library is known for its technology services. The audacious team of Shelly Mathis, Emily Pederson and Deborah Haft is often the first to embrace and expand programming with new technologies for the library, including virtual reality, mobile technologies and cybersecurity classes. As a public library, they’ve embraced their role as information providers.

In fact, library associate Shelly is being recognized nationally for her research on information literacy. She is a recipient of the Association for Library and Information Science Education’s Bohdan S. Wynar Research Paper Competition, along with co-author, Dr. Xiaofeng Li, for their case study regarding the information literacy practices of homeschoolers recently published in the Journal of Research on Libraries and Young Adults. Shelly, who is currently completing her Master of Science in library science, used the evidence from their research to develop an information literacy instructional program targeted to homeschooling teens and parents.

“Today, we’re inundated by information overload, and it can be a daunting task to evaluate and identify what is trustworthy and what isn’t,” comments Shelly. “That’s where the public library steps in to help by empowering community members and partnering with all types of educators to instruct and equip learners of all ages with information literacy skills.”

It is impossible to think of Kremmling Library without thinking of the children in the community. Pedersen is the branch manager and specializes in early literacy. She has been the lead facilitator on Grand County Library District’s school readiness program, Explorers, thanks to resources from the Bay Area Discovery Museum toolkit. She combines her love of math, science and literacy to present a nature-based discovery program geared toward children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers.

Whether it is sixth-grade book talks, Storytime events at the Kremmling Preschool and Early Child Center or delivering books and materials to classrooms, the librarians of the Kremmling Library go where the children are and create relationships that connect children and families to the library. This connection is evident with the number of teen volunteers that shelve materials and judge the scary story competition, as well as provide program support for Lego Club, Movie Night or Afterschool Club.

You’ll often see Emily and Shelly out in the community delivering materials to Cliffview, hosting a program at the Kremmling Fire Station, or helping people connect with a hike to Lower Cataract Lake, but don’t worry. Deborah is back in the branch, ensuring your access to a wealth of reading, listening and viewing materials that are available in both English and Spanish. She’s also available to troubleshoot your wireless printing, help you access your digital accounts, and ensure that patrons have a respite from our bustling world to read a newspaper in a cozy leather chair.
Kremmling Library is a community resource.