Laramie Library Holds Blind Date With a Book Fundraiser for ACPL Foundation

The Albany County Public Library Foundation reported a record turnout for its Blind Date With a Book fundraiser, selling 142 wrapped book packages and increasing funds for library services in Laramie. The Foundation described the event as a successful return to grassroots fundraising that funnels community support into programming, collections, and facility needs.

County 5 posted a community announcement on January 22, 2026, describing the fundraiser format as “wrapped books with enticing short descriptions.” An Instagram post from organizers thanked the community, saying “… Laramie their continued support of this event means we raise more ...” and “Thank you to everyone that came to our first blind date book swap!” The package count and the Foundation’s language that it “Raised a record amount selling 142 packages with our Blind Date with a Book fundraiser” are the clearest measures released so far of the event’s scale.

The Foundation’s materials list a number of financial and grant items that put the blind date fundraiser in broader context. Foundation documents state “Library Disbursement: Provided $15,000 to ACPL.” They also report grant receipts, noting “Received $43,750 in grant funding from the Guthrie Family Foundation, the Wyoming Community Foundation, the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation, the First Interstate Bancsystem Foundation, and the Socrates Foundation,” and separately list “$25,000 from the Guthrie Family Foundation.” The materials do not specify whether the $25,000 figure is included in the $43,750 total; the Foundation has not published a dollar figure tied to the blind date event in the excerpts provided.

Other fundraising lines in Foundation materials show a mix of small and mid-sized community efforts. “Library Swag Fundraiser: Raised over $700 for ACPL in FY23.” “UniWyo Boos & Q’s: The virtual trivia event raised $2,700 for ACPL.” Holiday giving efforts likewise supported operations: “Holiday giving and the Giving Tree supported ACPL with $17,342!” The Foundation also described outreach success in FY23: “Homecoming Tailgate: This outreach program was crazy popular! With your help, the ACPL Foundation raised the necessary funds for EVERY program at the library in FY23.”

Organizers emphasized resuming in-person events. Foundation notes say the “Cupcake Ball was back for the first year after the pandemic,” and that Appreciation Night drew strong attendance: “We had a great crowd to celebrate staff, volunteers, board-members, donors, and Friends of the Library members.” Community partnerships remain active; the Foundation said, “The ACPL Foundation partnered with Leadership Laramie to improve the Storywalk® with a fresh coat of paint and tempered glass. Concrete pads were added to make the Storywalk® more accessible.” A truncated sentence in Foundation materials reads “Grant Funding: The ACPL Foundation is adding sensory and learning development structures to the [...]” and lacks completion in the available excerpts.

Sponsors listed in Foundation excerpts include Premier Bone & Joint, First Interstate Bank, Toyota of Laramie, Quality Inn & Suites, and UniWyo Credit Union; the materials also highlight community recognition as “Community Support: Toyota of Laramie Cares winning organization!” Grant-making organizations named include the Guthrie Family Foundation, the Wyoming Community Foundation, the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation, the First Interstate Bancsystem Foundation, and the Socrates Foundation.

To avoid confusion, the Laramie County Library System and its Booklovers Bash are separate. Laramie County’s materials list a Booklovers Bash event set for October 16, 2026, with activities such as a Dessert Dash and Book & Bottle Pull and an extensive sponsor roster; that event is not part of the Albany County Public Library Foundation’s Blind Date With a Book program.

For local residents, the blind date fundraiser underscores continued community investment in ACPL’s services and programs. The Foundation has reported package counts and several grant and disbursement lines, but has not published a dollar total for the Blind Date With a Book event in the materials provided; readers and local stakeholders can expect follow-up from the ACPL Foundation for full financial breakdowns and details on planned sensory and learning development projects.