Several library branches across the city will be opening for a longer time and an additional day, thanks to a small portion of your property taxes.
The Green Valley Ranch Branch Library, Sam Gary Branch Library, Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales Branch Library, Hadley Branch Library, and Hampden Branch Library will each be adding extended morning and evening hours to their schedule. Each branch will also begin operating on Sundays.
The schedule change starts Sunday, July 23. Each branch will operate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Each branch will also have extended hours one day a week, operating from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Service during the rest of the week will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Limited services will be available during the first hour and during the late hours from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. According to DPL, visitors will be able to "access library materials, use self service checkout, computers, print and copy, community rooms, and study rooms."
DPL said the late evening hours will allow the Plaza program to return to these branches for the first time since March 2020.
The program gave immigrants and refugees access to resources and assistance in navigating the city. It also provides newcomers with a community of their peers.
The service expansion is the first to be funded by the Denver Public Library Fund through Strong Library, Strong Denver.
The fund was established through ballot measure 2I in November 2022 that increased property taxes by 1.5 mills.
Homeowners will pay $0.89 per month for every $100,000 of assessed residential property, and $3.63 per month for commercial property. So for the average homeowner, the increase would be about $4.19 per month, a figure based on the city auditor's price of $469,000 as Denver's median home value.
The increased tax would provide the library with an additional $32 million a year.
Besides increasing service hours, that funding will go toward building maintenance and renovations, along with increased wages for staff. DPL said this expansion will be the first of many. Library visitors are encouraged to check the website for any additional updates.
"One of the main commitments made to Denver voters was that we would expand access to our buildings," said Michelle Jeske, city librarian in a press release. "We've done a lot of work to hire additional staff and ensure infrastructure is in place to be able to add hours at several geographically diverse locations. This is the first step in expanding hours systemwide."
Editor's note: This article was updated with the correct hours of operations for each branch following an update from the Denver Public Library.
