Tongue River Branch Manager: rural residents are returning to their libraries

The Sheridan County Library System’s smaller branches are still recovering from COVID-19, according to the Ranchester Branch manager, Zac Smiley. 

Smiley is the branch manager of the Tongue River Branch Public Library, located in Ranchester. The building and the amount of material contained within is approximately one tenth the size of the Fulmer Library located in Sheridan. 

During a recent appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse, Smiley said he was proud to be a part of a library system that remained in operation during the COVID-19 crisis. The Sheridan County Library System had to follow the recommendations and guidelines of the county Incident Management Team, the county health officer and the governor, but the libraries made a determined effort to provide as many services to the community as possible.

Although the libraries in Sheridan County managed to remain in operation, doors had to remain closed in the interest of public safety. Since that time, many have returned to life as usual but according to Smiley, the numbers of visitors are only now returning to pre-COVID levels. 

Learn more about the Sheridan County Library System by clicking here.