Women's History Month feature: Library director Karen Funk

With origins dating back to 1981, Women's History Month is a chance to celebrate and recognize the achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields, according to the Women's History Month website.

Throughout the month of March, the Northern Wyoming News will be featuring a different woman each week who makes history within our communities with their positive impacts and achievements.

KAREN FUNK

While growing up on the shores of the Mississippi River in Winona, Minnesota, Karen Funk said she frequented her local public library with her mother. Having a love of reading instilled in her at a young age, Karen Funk now finds herself as Washakie County Library Director.

However, before her start with the county library system, Funk said she first visited Ten Sleep to attend the prestigious National Girl Scout camp at the Girl Scout National West.

After attending as a camper, Funk started working part time at the camp in 1976, then permanently moved to Ten Sleep in 1980 and worked at the camp in a variety of positions, she said.

"I worked at the camp for 13 years, teaching riding and camping skills to young woman and taking three- or six-day pack trips into the mountains, and managing the horse herd. It was the best of times," said Funk.

Funk moved onto working as a part time librarian at the Ten Sleep Library and eventually became Branch Manager in 2003.

When the opportunity arose for Funk to become director of the Library System, after a stint as interim director in 2010, Funk said she was encouraged to take the position by Jody Wesnitzer.

According to Funk, Wesnitzer was the former executive director of the Girl Scout camp in Ten Sleep, and, "She had been my mentor since the day we met," she said.

"[Wesnitzer] was very instrumental in my life [...] she was a big role model," said Funk. From Wesnitzer, Funk learned valuable lessons and skills that led her into accepting the position of library director in 2011.

Funk additionally highlighted Leslie Boughton and Jamie Markus, two former Wyoming State Librarians, as significant supporters of her and her career. "Both were great library mentors," she said.

Now as library director, Funk's job entails handling budgets, attending monthly meetings, ensuring the board adheres to state statutes and foundation policies, applying for grants and much more.

Funk especially works hard to make the library a valuable resource available to all.

"Even though we live in a small, rural community, everyone needs access to as much as we can provide," she said.

Funk noted how libraries have become more than a place for people to borrow books. The Washakie County libraries have made advancements in gaining numerous reading and educational options. According to Funk, the Washakie County library is even in the process of making a telehealth booth, which will feature a soundproof room.

"I want to service everybody, and I want to treat everybody equal [...] I like to do it all. I like to give it back to the people," said Funk.

While the county libraries have upcoming plans and aspirations, Funk looked back on her career thus far and highlighted some accomplishments.

"When I started in the library, I never expected to do the things I'm doing now," said Funk.

The expansion of the Ten Sleep Library in 2018 and the move of the Washakie County Library into its current downtown location in 2021 were significant feats, said Funk. Encouraging teamwork and cooperation between the two county libraries was an additional accomplishment, said Funk.

When not managing two county libraries, Funk enjoys working with horses and previously worked for the Rome Hill Ranch for 25 years.

Funk also enjoys spending her time fishing, with her two horses and dog, Cedar, and with her two sons, Max and Sam.