This practical session shares a proven, replicable model for offering knitting programs in libraries using two complementary formats: a structured Introduction to Knitting class and a supportive drop‑in skill‑building session. Attendees will learn how to plan and execute each format—from advanced planning through day‑of facilitation—while welcoming a wide range of skill levels and creating an environment that encourages repeat participation. We’ll also discuss how drop‑in style programming supports skill growth, peer connection, and sustainability over time. Participants will leave with adaptable templates and concrete strategies they can use to launch or refine knitting programs at their own libraries with confidence.
Adult Services Event Coordinator, Laramie County Library System
Geralyn Dyson coordinates adult programs at the Laramie County Library System, with over two years of event coordination experience and nearly a decade of knitting instruction.
Thursday October 1, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am MDT Wyoming Room B
WYZE (Wyoming Zine Exchange) is a new statewide project inviting people across Wyoming to share pieces of everyday life through zines. Centered in libraries and community spaces, the project aims to build a recurring statewide exchange and archive that captures the textures of living here, from small-town routines and local traditions to quiet moments that might otherwise go undocumented. This session will introduce the structure and upcoming launch of the program, including participation options, exhibits, programming support, and educator resources designed to make involvement approachable for libraries of all sizes. We’ll also talk about why zines work so well for community-building, creativity, and connection, especially in local spaces, and invite attendees to help shape the program’s next steps and future growth.
Over the past two years, the University of Wyoming Libraries has seen a growing interest in zines that helped transform a small collection into an active, collaborative creative community. Built alongside students through workshops, internships, exhibits, classroom partnerships, public events, and low-barrier programming, the project tapped into a broader desire for connection, creativity, and personal forms of expression rooted in the real, physical world. This interactive session will explore how the community developed while also introducing attendees to simple, adaptable zine workshop models they can bring back to their own libraries. Participants will leave with practical strategies for facilitating accessible zine programming, fostering creative engagement, and building collaborative creative communities across a range of library settings.
