When Abby Treviño first started coming to the Powell Library, she was very shy. But then she met Children’s Librarian Renee Hanlin, who greeted her with an honest smile and happy eyes.

“She was the first in the library that actually knew Abby by name,” said her mother, Jen Treviño. “She always seems so happy to see the kids and greets them all while looking them in the eye. You know, like, really connecting with them.”

Over time Abby began to look forward to activities at the library. Getting her to come out of the shell took some time, but Hanlin was there every step along the way.

“She remembered things about Abby. And I think that helped,” Treviño said.

Hanlin has a knack for finding fun ways to engage with children and introduce them to the exciting world of reading.

“It helps that I am child-sized,” she said.

She came to the library about 14 years ago after getting her master’s degree in audiology and raising her own two children. Hanlin also speaks fluent French and spent three years living in Quito, Ecuador, teaching the language while her husband, Brett, taught English in the South American country. It was a great experience for the entire family.

Shortly after the family returned to Powell, Renee joined the library. She was an instant hit with the children; not just at the library, but around town.

“Children will run up to her in the grocery store yelling ‘Miss Renee! Miss Renee!’” Brett said.

Her background and training set a foundation for the job. But she also believes God helped guide her throughout her career.

“I feel like the different things I have done throughout my life kind of prepared me for the job,” she said. “I didn't expect to become a librarian, but I loved it.”

Following her heart has allowed her to develop relationships with children and their parents as a trustworthy resource throughout her career. Her time at the library spanned the formative years from childhood to adulthood. Former Powell Library assistant Emmalee Nordland spent years under the tutelage of Hanlin.

“Miss Renee has been a special part of my life since I was very little. I've grown up in Powell my entire life and every time I was in the library she was there with a kind smile and lots of creativity,” Nordland said.

As a child, she was a part of Hanlin’s children’s story time, crafts and the library’s summer reading program. After graduation, Nordland began working at the library. Once again, Hanlin was there as a mentor.

“She helped me with the first steps of becoming a librarian,” Nordland said. “After that, she proceeded to help to me as I continued learning past the basics.”

Children’s librarians play a vital role in fostering a love for reading and learning, with a joyful spirit and inviting personality. They also serve as a community hub for families, connecting them to resources and activities, said Park County Library Assistant Nan Gross, who was also mentored by Hanlin when she first joined the system.

“She was a tremendous help to me as I got started as a library assistant,” Gross said.

She watched as Hanlin worked and saw a special spark.

“Her personality is naturally inviting to children. She speaks to them at their level, and she's always joyful. She brings a lot of fun when she speaks to children. And I think children just gravitate towards her because they, they kind of understand that she understands them,” she said.

Wyoming is served by 23 county library systems through 23 central libraries, 53 branches and two bookmobiles. Because services are organized along county lines, every resident of the state has a library available to them. On a single day — a snapshot in time — the Wyoming State Library estimated that approximately 7,000 people visit a public library, 1,200 use a library computer and 700 children and teens attend a program. Library staff also fielded about 1,000 reference questions a day.

Even those who don’t walk through the library doors are served. On the recent “Snapshot Day,” more than 2,200 e-books and e-audiobooks were checked out from the statewide Wyoming Virtual Library.

In Powell, it’s both a challenging and special time at the Powell Library after moving into Homesteader Hall at the Park County Fairgrounds while a new $8.4 million facility is being built. But Hanlin won’t be a part of the team for the transition into the new building.

Hanlin announced her retirement last month and spent part of her final day Friday playing Lego Bricks with several repeat customers, a favorite activity among both children and adults. Sitting on the floor with the fully engaged children, Hanlin said it was a bittersweet occasion.

“It’s very hard to leave,” she said, holding back tears so children wouldn’t see. “I’ve learned and grown with the kids.”

Now Hanlin and Brett, who is an English teacher in Greybull, plan to explore the natural wonders of Wyoming and destinations beyond. Their next move: a camping trip to the Bighorn Mountains. But you never know where Miss Renee will turn up next.