Contemplate this literary haven that stands before us. This is the Denver Public Library. It is more than just a repository of books. It is a cornerstone of Denver’s community and a testament to the city’s commitment to knowledge.
The Denver Public Library started humbly. It began in 1859 as an outdoor facility. A carpenter’s bench under a tree served as the first library. Arthur Pierce, a pioneer during the gold rush, founded it.
In 1889, the Denver Public Library was officially established. John Cotton Dana became the chief librarian. The library then moved into its own building in 1910. This was a Greek revival design funded by Andrew Carnegie. It was located in Civic Center Park downtown. This building now serves as the McNichols Civic Center Building.
Between 1913 and 1920, Carnegie also funded the construction of the library’s first eight branches. Before this, the city relied on traveling trunks of books.
In the 1950s, the city commissioned a new Central Library. Fisher & Fisher and designer Burnham Hoyt were chosen. This new library was built on Broadway and West 14th Avenue. Before the library, the property was an auto dealership. It sold Ford Model Ts, Model As, and Model Bs. The city condemned the property in 1953.
The Fisher/Hoyt Central Library opened in 1956. In 1990, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. To celebrate the opening, Yale Library loaned rare books. These included the 1455 Gutenberg Bible and the 1640 Bay Psalm Book.
Denver grew rapidly between the 1950s and 1970s. More branches were needed. Four Ross branches were funded by Frederick Ross. He was a Denver real estate investor and Library Commissioner.
In the 1990s, voters approved a bond issue to expand the Fisher/Hoyt building. Michael Graves and Klipp Colussy Jenks DuBois designed the new structure. It opened in 1995. The exterior features limestone, pre-cast concrete, and copper accents. Murals by Edward Ruscha and fossils in the floor enhance the interior.
The Denver Public Library has significant collections. The Western History collection includes photographs, manuscripts, books, maps, and art. Its collection of oil paintings rivals that of the Denver Art Museum.
The Special Collections and Archives holds the Otto Perry collection. It contains 20,000 railroad photographs. The Western History and Genealogy departments merged in 1995.
The Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library opened in 2003. It focuses on African American history and culture in the Rocky Mountain West.
Today, the Denver Public Library offers many services. These include public computers, internet access, and WiFi. The Library of Things allows card holders to check out equipment. This includes bicycle repair kits and GoPro cameras. There are also makerspaces called ideaLABs.
The Denver Public Library offers free passes to local museums. These include the Denver Zoo and the Molly Brown House Museum.
In 1997, the Denver Central Library hosted the G8 Summit. Leaders from around the world met here. The meetings took place in the General Reference room. Lunch was served in the Vida Ellison gallery.
The Denver Public Library stands as a beacon of knowledge and community. It enriches the lives of all who enter its doors. Remember the Denver Public Library’s humble beginnings the next time you are here. Consider its impact on the cultural life of Denver.