The Ten Sleep Public Library in Washakie County may be small, but it's filling huge roles in this tiny town in northcentral Wyoming.
Yes, it's filled with books to share and check out, but it's also the town's main community center, tech center, gathering spot, and even public health clinic.
“Our library is a learning place,” Director Karen Funk said. “We're all wrapped up in more than just books.”
With an official population of 246 in Ten Sleep and many more in the outlying ranches and rural areas, the Ten Sleep Branch Library is also the local school library, public library, and a spot to host after-school and adult programs.
Now, it's also become a place residents go to for medical consultations.
“We try to provide people with things that they will see in a big library, like the large-print reader,” Funk said. “But we also provide the one-on-one experience and small-town hospitality that you would not get in big libraries.”
This dedication to the community has just earned the library the prestigious 2025 National Medal for Museum and Library Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The library was nominated by U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman.
According to the Wyoming State Library, it's the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities.
Librarian Rhonda Carter displays the blood pressure cuff that the Ten Sleep Branch Library will check out alongside books. The cuffs have gone to both locals with medical issues as well as students for their health class. (Jackie Dorothy, Cowboy State Daily) 
While the Ten Sleep Branch Library does much more than just provide books, reading is still a major part of the small library which recently won the 2025 National Medal for Museum and Library Service from The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The library which doubles as a school library and public library, is also a community center and a safe place for Telehealth consultations. (Jackie Dorothy, Cowboy State Daily) 
Carol Greet holds a book for an upcoming author visit. The Ten Sleep Branch Library recently won a prestigious national library award for their work in their small rural community. (Jackie Dorothy, Cowboy State Daily) 
The Ten Sleep Branch Library was expanded to include a much needed community space that is available for programs, workshops and Telehealth consultations. (Jackie Dorothy, Cowboy State Daily)
Medical Center
The branch library fills needs that facilities in larger urban areas would not even consider, such as providing blood pressure cuffs for people to check out.
To add medical consultation services, the library is adding a telehealth booth for private medical consultations.
The University of Wyoming had asked the library to provide the rural community with telehealth service that has been needed for an aging community and residents who may not otherwise be able to make appointments in person.
“A lot of the people have to travel to Cody or Billings to see their specialists and doctors,” librarian Carol Greet said. “There is a bus for our senior citizens, but the roads are not always the best.”
The staff will assist people seeking consultations, careful to protect their privacy as federal regulations require.
“Perhaps they don't have a laptop at home or a camera capability or the know-how to use their devices,” Funk said. “That's where we can step in to help.”
The blood pressure kits are available to check out with instructions for use and have doubled as an educational tool.
"We've had the health teacher check them out for students,” Funk said. “They're available in nearly every library in Wyoming.”
The staff at the Ten Sleep Branch Library are celebrating the prestigious 2025 National Medal for Museum and Library Service that they just received for the work they do for their community from providing a safe place for medical consultations to after school programs for young students. Pictured from left, are Carol Greet, Karen Funk, and Rhonda Carter. Not pictured is Veronica Risch. (Jackie Dorothy, Cowboy State Daily) 
The Ten Sleep Branch Library was expanded to include a much needed community space that is available for programs, workshops and Telehealth consultations. (Jackie Dorothy, Cowboy State Daily) 
The Ten Sleep Branch Library was expanded to include a much needed community space that is available for programs, workshops and Telehealth consultations. (Jackie Dorothy, Cowboy State Daily) 
While the Ten Sleep Branch Library does much more than just provide books, reading is still a major part of the small library which recently won the 2025 National Medal for Museum and Library Service from The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The library which doubles as a school library and public library, is also a community center and a safe place for Telehealth consultations. (Jackie Dorothy, Cowboy State Daily)
Library For All
The branch library in Ten Sleep is unique because it is both the school library and a public library.
The building is owned and taken care of by Washakie County and built on school property so that the school takes care of the grounds. There is an agreement between the school board and the Washakie County Commissioners on how this is all coordinated according to Funk.
“The elementary has set times they come over each week, and the high schoolers come over to do database research,” Greet said. “We train the students how to use a database and not just Google things.”
Librarian Rhonda Carter oversees the after-school program, ‘After the Bell,’ three days a week that is for kids who otherwise have working parents and nowhere else to go in their small community.
On Wednesdays, the local churches have their youth nights and Fridays, the students can go ski at Meadowlark Ski Area and Lodge.
“We try to introduce them to new, fun things,” Carter said. “We also provide story hour for the preschool.”
For the adult population, the library offers craft night, book discussions and one-on-one technology support which includes helping their older generation apply for hunting licenses online.
“We really pay attention to what people like to read,” Funk said. “The library collection is driven by what our readers enjoy because otherwise there's no sense in having the book to just sit on the shelf.”
The library also serves as an unofficial visitor’s center when people come in asking for directions.
“We're just here to serve our community and visitors in any way we can,” Funk said. “We really are more than just books.”
Jackie Dorothy can be reached at jackie@cowboystatedaily.com.
