Long-time Powell Library employee Jane Foley reminisced about bringing her sons to the Powell Library nearly a half-century ago as she finished some of her final duties at the facility at 217 E. Third St.

“They kind of grew up in here,” she said of her sons Tim and Steve Foley.

About 25 years later she applied for a job at the library and is currently assistant children’s librarian. She has some sweet memories working in the building, especially watching her two sons both grow up to become educators. Tim is now the assistant superintendent for the Cody School District and Steve is the assistant principal in Burlington.

She has been through several remodeling efforts at the building, requiring strong arms and backs to move thousands of books. Yet, Wednesday was the last day Foley and the rest of the library staff will work at the location until a new building is complete in 2026.

Powell Branch Manager Roseanne Spiering won’t miss the old building.

“It might be an emotional goodbye for some. It isn't for me,” she said bluntly. “This building is three buildings cobbled together. It's falling apart in multiple directions and it's had so many renovations that it would be more expensive to try to add on to it at this point. It's better to start from scratch and build a really nice, modern library.”

Until the new library is finished, Homesteader Hall at the Park County Fairgrounds will be its new home. Librarians rushed to load shelves Wednesday as fast as city employees could put them together. The last load of books and equipment arrived at the hall Wednesday morning, toted by employees from Cook Moving and Storage in Cody.

Books waiting to be placed on temporary shelves made for a tight fit for employees moving quickly to get the new location open by Monday.

“It's going be a little bit smaller for us,” Spiering said. “We’re able to fit at least two thirds of the collection in there. So the public shouldn't suffer as far as access to materials.”

The staff will still be able to provide printing and computer services, but programming and events will need to be a “little more creative,” she said. “We'll need to do more outreach in the community, partner up with more businesses and other nonprofit organizations and then, during nicer weather, we're really hoping to use fairground facilities like the pavilion and lawn space.”

One last event will be held at the old library as the staff is hosting a silent auction Friday and Saturday for unneeded office furniture, chairs, tables, cubicles and shelving, as well as some printers, miscellaneous office supplies and a few books. The auction will be on Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. People can pick up their items from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

After that, the building will be prepared to be demolished. Park County Engineer Brian Edwards previously said that would likely happen in July or August, to allow for work on the new, roughly $12 million structure at the same location to start by October.

Spiering said the Fairgrounds location is convenient for many of the students who frequent the library.

“We're just so grateful to have the space. Most libraries have to shut down during a remodel such as this,” she said, thanking county commissioners for making the move possible. “Staying open and being able to provide a fully functioning library for the next two years is huge.”

(Zac Taylor contributed reporting)