Editor:

On June 20, the library in Mountain View was saved by the mercy of the county commissioners. As most of the residents of Bridger Valley are religious people, you will understand when I write “saved by mercy but at a great sacrifice.”

Just as we experience one of those ferocious Wyoming winds followed by damage, so we experience damage in the wake of the decision made not only by the commissioners but also by the library board, of which I am a member.

This is not what we had hoped for or wanted, and we looked at every scenario you can imagine to do the least damage. People’s lives have been affected, library hours have been cut and library services have been reduced; this was inevitable and expected.

I want to thank the people of Uinta County for their support — it was overwhelming! We have received numerous phone calls asking what they can do and how to support the libraries, letters were written and given to the county commissioners from people ages 4 (pictures drawn) to 60ish, and a large number of you showed up at the commissioners meeting and expressed your support and said why the libraries are important to you.

This made a difference — you made a difference. The united voice spoke, from all over the county, people from Evanston area as well as all the communities in Bridger Valley. I am humbled and so very grateful for your support.

I want to thank the Uinta County Commissioners and Uinta County Clerk Lana Wilcox for the work they put into our resolution and for their mercy. I want to thank my fellow board members, our acting Library director and our business manager for the long hours, sleepless nights, time away from families and hard work; this too added to the great sacrifice, but in this case, willingly given.

You have asked us “What can I do?” This is a few things we could think of on the spur of the moment:

• Volunteer, ask the local librarian if there is a task you can do for whatever time you can give

• Donate, if able and that is your preference.

• Support, support, support, USE your library, every time you come into the library you are counted and every time you ask a question, check out an item (and the numbers you check out) is counted, use the computers or other services, and every time you attend a program. Continue to let the library board and count commissioners know how much the libraries mean to you. It is all counted; you count.

• Contact the state legislators and let them know that Wyoming must look to other revenue sources than mineral and ranching. They, we, must get a vision for our great state, as to other revenue sources.

Again, thank you for your support

Nita Duncan

Uinta County Library Board