About Us

Mission

We foster literacy and lifelong learning, inspire creativity, and strengthen community.

Vision

A welcoming community inspired to pursue its passions, forge connections, discover new ideas, and engage in civic life.

Strategic Direction

In February 2023, the Library Board approved the Teton County Library Strategic Direction 2023-2027. This community-driven, action-oriented plan provides an exciting framework for the continued growth and enhancement of the library as a community hub.

History & Facility

Jackson Main Library

Founded in 1938, and first housed in a room in the log cabin American Legion Hall in downtown Jackson, Wyoming, Teton County Library later moved to the corner of King Street and Hansen Avenue, and then to its current home at the corner of Virginian Lane and Snow King Avenue. In 2013, the library completed a voter-approved Specific Purpose Excise Tax-funded renovation, which included the addition of a dedicated Youth Wing. The project attained Gold level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. See a more detailed history here>

Alta Branch Library

In 2009, the Alta Branch Library opened in its location on Alta School Road, in Alta, WY.

People Served

Teton County Library serves a population of over 20,000 year-round residents, a significant seasonal workforce and regional visitors that number in the millions annually.

Staff & Resources

Teton County Library has a staff of skilled librarians and paraprofessionals, core and special collections, a range of robust and growing digital resources, a host of skill-building classes and dynamic programs, as well as public meeting rooms with state-of-the art audio-visual equipment.

Teton County Library strives to provide a current, diverse and responsive collection that meets the informational and cultural needs of our community. Additionally, we are committed to maintaining our Jackson Hole and Western Americana Collections. We endeavor to create a collection that reflects the broad and diverse interests of our active, engaged community in the formats that best reach our full population across an expansive geographic area. 

Governance & Funding

Teton County Library, a county agency, is governed by a Board of Directors whose members are appointed by the Teton County Board of Commissioners.

County property taxes function as the primary funding source for the library, providing the budget to sustain the facility, staff and core collections. County support comprises 85% of the library’s total fiscal year operating budget.

Teton County Library benefits from an active private-public partnership with the Teton County Library Foundation, from which the library garners 10% of its annual budget. Additionally, the library receives in-kind volunteer support, totaling 5% of its annual costs, from the Teton County Library Friends.

Supporting Nonprofit Organization

The Teton County Library Foundation was originally founded in 1982 to accept gifts to the library. In 1994, it became an active fundraising organization with the goal of securing the land at 125 Virginian Lane.

In 2023, the Foundation merged with fellow supporting organization Teton County Library Friends, which had long contributed a wide range of volunteer services and income earned from book sales and the operation of the Book Nook in the library lobby.

Teton County Library Foundation & Friends contributes support from donations, grants, and fundraising events to provide library offerings such as public access computers and free Wi-Fi; computer classes and technology tutoring; early literacy initiatives; free inter-library loans, and speakers, programs, and multicultural events for all ages.