The Albany County Public Library suffered $2,500 in damage from an act of vandalism to the entrance and inside the building that occurred between 6 p.m. Nov. 9 and 9 a.m. Nov. 10 by one or more perpetrators.
When staff members arrived that Saturday morning, they walked in to see glass all over the floor from the two glass front doors and three windows being shattered. Numerous items inside the library had been broken as well, including a chair, trash can and two shelves. No other damage has been found or reported.
As a result of the crime, the library had to close down for the day and reschedule the final day of the Friends of the Library Book Sale, an event attended by hundreds. The sale was projected to be the busiest book sale day of the year; the closure will cost the library a significant chunk of income since book sales fund over $50,000 worth of the library’s materials and book collection.
Library Director Ruth Troyanek believes it was a random act of vandalism and the library was not directly targeted. She believes the library was just at the wrong place at the wrong time.
“We don’t believe this was a targeted act of violence.” Troyanek said. “We’re very grateful to the community for their outpouring of support – with their words, clean-up assistance and financial donations.”
Vandalism is the deliberate destruction or damage of public or private property. In Wyoming, vandalism is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, jail or prison time and possible restitution, where the convicted pays the victim for the value of what was damaged. Currently, the library will have to pay for the damage and is seeking donations.
The library has been vandalized about four times during Troyanek’s 15 years there. This includes when the library was broken into on the Fourth of July in 2014.
In that incident, the glass in the office door of librarian Cindy Moore was shattered along with several other exterior and interior doors. A small amount of cash was stolen. Troyanek was not the director at this time, so she could not provide details of this particular incident.
The Laramie Police Department announced the current case is under investigation and is looking for any information on the case. Officers Hutchinson, Austin and Greenwalt came to the library when the vandalism was discovered; Lt. Gwen Smith is currently covering the case.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call CRIMESTOPPERS at 742-CARE (2273). Callers can remain confidential and can earn a cash reward up to $1,000.
