Happy New Year from Denver Public Library! 2023 was an exciting year for DPL. It was our first year implementing Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the Denver Public Library Fund. We’re grateful to Denver voters for passing measure 2i to support the library in November 2022, which established the DPL Fund and provided us with an additional $32 million a year.
Thanks to this additional funding, we started delivering on three key promises we made to the community: reduced wait times for extremely popular eBooks, extended hours, and addressing staff pay gaps. Additionally, we were able to introduce new resources for library card holders including access to The New York Times, new databases, and so much more. Our spaces also got some love thanks to the DPL Fund. Most notable was our Westwood Branch Library, which received an expansion that includes a brand new computer lab for the community. To learn more about Strong Library, Strong Denver, visit denlib.org/stronglibrary.
In 2023, the renovation of the first floor of Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library was completed thanks to the 2017 Elevate Denver Bond. Our Athmar Park and Pauline Robinson Branch Libraries also kicked off their Elevate Denver Bond renovations. The community was able to celebrate the reopening of the Ross-Cherry Creek Branch Library, as well.
With all these exciting additions, we were still able to provide our customers with all of the great library programs, services, and resources that the community relies on us for. As we enter 2024, we look forward to welcoming you to DPL and bringing you even more resources and services.
Sincerely,
City Librarian