Recent expanded hours at select DPL locations were funded by a measure Denver voters passed at the tail end of 2022. This same fund has also made it so that DPL could invest in upgrades at select facilities, both maintenance and cosmetic.
These 10 books were most popular among library visitors and efforts to diversify DPL's collection of books and media have also fallen under the fund's reach. New learning platforms have become available to library cardholders.
First, who qualifies for a library card?
Colorado residents and students attending a Colorado college or university are eligible for a free Denver Public Library Card. Educators who reside or work in Denver may also apply for an Educator Card.
Click here for info on how to get a library card.
Here are 5 underrated DPL resources that you can tell your friends about:
Free passes to museums and other cultural institutions
Use your library card to get free passes to various museums around the city. Reserve a date to attend participating institutions, some that offer admissions valid for multiple people. Museum passes may be reserved two weeks in advance. Here are all of the participating locations:
- American Museum of Western Art
- Butterfly Pavilion
- Clyfford Still Museum
- Denver Botanic Gardens
- Denver Firefighters Museum
- Denver Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys
- Denver Museum of Nature and Science
- Dinosaur Ridge
- Forney Museum of Transportation
- Four Mile Historic Park
- History Colorado Center
- Molly Brown House Museum
- Museo de las Americas
- Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
- Wings Over the Rockies
Cardholders can also check out Colorado state park passes for one carload of people. This includes a kit containing a Check Out Colorado Birds guide, a Colorado Trees & Wildflowers brochure, laminated fishing basics and more.
Check out sewing machines, ladders, power tools, lawn mowers, bicycle repair kits and GoPro cameras
Use your library card to check out a variety of useful equipment through DPL's Library of Things. This might include checking out sewing machines for a 4-week period, a bike repair kit to help fix a flat on-site or tools through their Denver Tool Library Pass including ladders, power tools, lawn mowers and post hole diggers.
For those dealing with an aging laptop, cardholders can also check out Chromebooks with integrated wifi or a wireless hotspot for a 3-month period.
Lastly, homeowners can check out helpful tools such as a draft check meter that uses an infrared sensor to find leaks, molding, ductwork and more around the house. Or borrow a power check meter to monitor energy costs around the property and a speck indoor air quality monitor to evaluate indoor pollutants.
Get access to 3D printers, laser cutters, recording studios and other creative software
If you like to produce videos, create games or make music, anyone can access DPL's ideaLABs, free community makerspaces equipped with tools to work on the next creative project. Spaces include sewing and embroidery machines as well as Adobe Photoshop and Premiere.
There are six total ideaLABs (one that is temporarily closed for renovation) and equipment varies by location.
Access The New York Times, Kanopy, Tutor.com and other learning platforms
Platforms such as The New York Times and Tutor.com have become available to DPL card holders.
Other platforms include Udemy, a learning platform with a range of courses in areas such as data science, IT operations and marketing, and The Shelf TV, a platform for streaming audiovisual services in Spanish for libraries in Latin America and the U.S.
Cardholders can also access Libby, a large collection of digital magazines and Denver residents can use Kanopy, a streaming platform with many award-winning films and documentaries.
Meet with a librarian with help starting a small business, navigating the patent and trademark process or writing research papers
Schedule a one-on-one virtual or in-person appointment with library professionals with help on starting or growing a business, a technology 101 on how to use a cell phone, tablet, email, social networks or even navigating the internet and even help with school assignments.
Librarians also offer opportunities to talk through the patent and trademark application process and even offer assistance with researching your family genealogical history.
