Two public libraries will be closing temporarily to undergo renovations.
The Athmar Park Branch and the Pauline Robinson Branch in Northeast Park Hill are shuttering their doors while they both receive expansions and facelifts.
That closure will begin on Sunday, August 27. The Denver Public Library said there's no set reopening date, but the renovations could take about a year.
DPL said both branches will be expanded to include new study rooms and meeting spaces. Both spaces will also get updated infrastructure, technology systems and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. They'll also receive new furniture, carpeting and paint.
The renovations are being paid for by the Elevate Denver Bond, which passed in 2017. Through the bond, DPL received about $69.3 million to renovate 11 branches, including Athmar Park and Pauline Robinson.
So far, DPL has completed renovations of the Smiley Branch Library in Berkeley, the semi-newly named John "Thunderbird Man" Emhoolah, Jr. Branch Library in La Alma-Lincoln Park, and the newly reopened Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library in Five Points.
Work is currently underway at Central Branch and future renovations are planned for the Ross-Barnum Branch Library, which DPL is currently considering renaming, and the Schlessman Family Branch Library.
In a press release, DPL said it'll partner with neighborhood leaders to determine where they can provide offsite services. Information on those future pop-up sites can be found on each branch's Facebook page.
Folks who frequent the Pauline Robinson Branch can pick up holds at the Sam Gary Branch Library, located at 2961 Roslyn St. Athmar Park visitors can head to the Hadley Branch Library, at 1890 S. Grove St.
Hours of operations at both back-up branches were recently extended to include Sundays and one day where the branch is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. That extended schedule is in place for both branches on Wednesdays.
