The Denver Public Library has been up to a few things over the past year, especially with their latest funding boost from the Strong Library Strong Denver tax increase.
DPL officials gave a presentation to the Business, Arts, Workforce, Climate & Aviation Services Council Committee on Wednesday and explained what the organization has done since the implementation of the funding source. They also gave an update on what other bond measures have covered and what we can expect from them in the upcoming year.
First things first: teen spaces!
During committee, City Librarian Michelle Jeske said in the past year DPL has completed several steps in their Strategic Roadmap, a 2021 plan that sought to increase access, renovate existing spaces, address inequalities in the system and simply make DPL a go-to place for all types of services.
One of those involved increasing services for teens, which they've done by creating specific spaces in various library branches like at the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, adding more teen programming and the addition of librarians that are focused on teens.
Some other steps on that roadmap have been adding more children's material to bookmobiles and implementing free printing and copying at all library branches.
Now, what about the additional funding?
In 2022, voters approved ballot measure 2I, a property tax increase that would provide extra funding to DPL for operational needs, from building maintenance and improvements to hiring more staff, increasing hours and community services. DPL said the increased tax will boost funding by more than $32 million.
With that money, DPL officials said the biggest change has been extending hours at 17 branches, with five branches now open seven days a week. DPL also hired 98 new staff members and increased pay for eligible staff members.
The funding has also reduced wait times on books and increased digital resources for card members, such as access to the New York Times.
Money was also used for branch improvements at the Westwood, Blair-Caldwell and Central library branches
The renovations on those branches were also paid for through bonds approved by Denverites.
The Elevate Bond, which passed in 2017, allowed Blair-Caldwell to be renovated for the first time since it opened in 2003. The branch reopened in August.
Currently, the Athmar Park and the Pauline Robinson Branch in Northeast Park Hill are closed for renovations funded by Elevate. DPL said both branches will be expanded to include new study rooms and meeting spaces. They'll get updated infrastructure, technology systems, air ventilation, along with new furniture, carpeting and paint.
DPL said with both projects, they've been working with nearby recreation centers and schools to continue providing services to the neighborhood. Both are expected to finish around the end of the year.
The Elevate Bond will also pay for renovations at Ross Barnum, Schlessman Family and Ross-Broadway branches. All three are currently in design phases and, when all is said and done, they'll be expanded to include more community space and children space.
Then there's the RISE Bond funding, which passed in 2021. Currently, that money is going toward the renovation of the Hampden branch, which is in the design phase. It's also going toward the construction of the new Lena Archuleta Branch in Westwood and a new branch in Globeville.
According to "Activate! Denver," DPL's 10-year plan regarding renovation needs and branch expansion, DPL acknowledged that there were gaps in branch services, particularly in Westwood and Globeville.
The Westwood neighborhood had a library branch. But, at about 900 square feet, it is the tiniest branch in the DPL's system. The goal with the Lena Archuleta Branch was to build a bigger and better library more suited for neighborhood needs. The new branch will be about 6,000 square feet and feature a larger collection, more access to technology, as well as community meeting spaces.
DPL partnered with Lifespan Local, a Southwest Denver community service group, to open the new branch at the site of the old Redeemer Lutheran Church on the corner of W. Nevada Place and S. Irving Street.
The Globeville branch will live in a similar place. It will anchor the 4995 Washington Street project, an affordable housing development that will have at least 170 income restricted units. Currently, the project is on hold due to some financing issues.
And what about the Central Branch? DPL is hoping that will fully reopen in the fall of 2024.
So, what's next for DPL? With the Strong Library Strong Denver funding, DPL said they're going to continue improving digital access and network infrastructure, increase physical and digitals copies to lower wait times and continue ramping up their Plaza Program, which assists immigrants and refugees with acclimating to their new life in Denver and the states. The funding will also help renovate the Woodbury and Park Hill Branches and provide additional staff members to the Central Branch for when it reopens.
So, head to the library and take advantage of the free things they have to offer!
