After being closed for over a year, the Pauline Robinson Branch library has reopened in Northeast Park Hill.
The branch closed in August 2023 for a $1.9 million facelift funded by the 2017 Elevate Denver bond. The branch got updated infrastructure, like ventilation and air conditioning systems, as well as a renovated interior.
“We heard many times how community groups lacked accessible community spaces to work together and make change in this neighborhood and how the outdated youth spaces and study rooms hindered the neighborhood's youth from reaching their full potential,” Denver Public Library Executive Director Michelle Jeske said at an opening ceremony.
The branch is named after Pauline Short Robinson, Denver’s first African American librarian. She died in 1997, a year after the eponymous library branch was opened.
Her nephew, Don Short, praised the renovation, particularly for its focus on renovating its children’s sections.
“The renovation project is another testament to the legacy of Pauline Robinson,” he said at the opening ceremony. “The additional space is mostly dedicated to the children. That would've been very pleasing to Aunt Pauline.”
The Pauline Robinson branch renovation is one of several renovations funded by the 2017 bond. Denver Public Library got $61 million from the bond package, which included funding for its years-long renovation of the Central branch.
With many projects from Denver’s last two bonds wrapping up, city leaders are hoping voters will approve another bond package, with efforts to identify projects covered by the Vibrant Denver bond underway.
Denverite’s Kevin Beaty contributed to this report.
