Background
We’re grateful to Denver voters for passing measure 2i to support the library in November 2022, providing DPL with an additional $32 million a year. We will share updates about how DPL is using this funding under the name Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the Denver Public Library Fund.
This was an effort that was years in the making and is a big win for the library system and our community. This additional funding will allow the library to more fully meet the evolving needs of the community.
2023 is our first year with this dedicated funding source and we are taking a phased approach to implementing this funding. There is a lot of work being done at the beginning of 2023 to ensure we have the infrastructure in place to launch some of the projects you, our customers, can see at your local branches and online.
Some things the public can expect to see over the next year include:
- Enhancing, expanding, and diversifying the collection of books, media, and other popular items to reduce wait times and ensure more appropriate linguistic and cultural representation
- Expanded hours at locations
- Upgrades at our facilities - both maintenance and cosmetic
- Expanding programs and services for children, youth, older adults, communities of color, job seekers, and vulnerable groups like immigrants and refugees
April 2024
Introducing Newspapers.com and Fold3 by Ancestry
The Denver Public Library now has subscriptions for Ancestry's Fold3 Library Edition, a unique collection of military records, and Newspapers.com World Collection, a vast repository of historical newspapers. Looking to explore these new resources? Get started with Fold3 here and navigate Newspapers.com here.
March 2024
Celebrate Pi Day, March 14 with author Stacey Mei Fong
Stacey Mei Yan Fong, author of 50 Pies, 50 States: An Immigrant's Love Letter to the United States Through Pie joined us for an author visit on Pi Day, March 14, 2024. She spoke on how she uses her passion for home baking to honor the people, places, and flavors that made her love this country by baking a pie for each state. This author event was made possible thanks to Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the DPL Fund.
Ford-Warren Branch Library expands hours to include Mondays
The Ford-Warren Branch Library has expanded its hours and will be open Mondays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. This marks the fifth library location to receive hour expansions in 2024 and the twenty-second library location overall since last summer. Library hour expansions have been made possible thanks to Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the DPL Fund. For specific branch hours, visit DPL's hours and locations page.
February 2024
The Virginia Village Branch Library Has Reopened with Expanded Hours
The Virginia Village Branch Library has reopened with expanded hours. After experiencing some building maintenance issues, the library location temporarily closed last month but is now ready to welcome back customers. The library location has expanded hours to include Mondays and will be open six days a week. Library hour expansions have been made possible thanks to Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the DPL Fund. For specific branch hours, visit DPL's hours and locations page.
Valdez-Perry and Westwood Branch Libraries Now Open Six Days a Week
Valdez Perry Branch Library and Westwood Branch Library are now open on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Stay tuned for more library hour expansions shortly! Library hour expansions have been made possible thanks to Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the DPL Fund. For specific branch hours, visit DPL's hours and locations page.
January 2024
The Ross-Barnum Branch Library is Now Open Six Days a Week
The Ross-Barnum Branch Library becomes the ninteenth library location to expand its hours thanks to Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the DPL Fund. The library location is now open Mondays and until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays. More library hour expansions are on the way. For specific branch hours, visit DPL's hours and locations page.
First Year of Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the DPL Fund, Brings More Access to Community
The Denver Public Library (DPL) was able to increase library access for customers in 2023 thanks to funding from Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the DPL Fund.
Library customers can now enjoy extended hours at 18 branch locations, including five that are now open seven days a week. View branch hours here.
Fans of ebooks also saw reduced wait times for extremely popular titles. The funding also made new resources available for cardholders including access to:
- The New York Times online
- TheShelf TV
- Tutor.com
- Freegal Music+
- Statista
- Craftsy and Craftsy en Español
DPL was also able to hire additional staff, fund the new Teen Library space at Central Library, provide Launchpads (tablets geared towards children ages 3-7), and make facility improvements at the Westwood Branch Library.
One of the main goals of the DPL Fund was to address staff pay. DPL staff received a bonus in March 2023 while DPL completed a pay analysis. In August, DPL was able to provide pay increases for 76 percent of eligible employees thanks to Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the DPL Fund.
Still to come, the public can look forward to more open job opportunities at the library, additional expanded hours at branch libraries, refreshed spaces at more branch locations, and more available resources for cardholders. Stay tuned for regular updates on this page.
November 2023 Update
Eleven More Library Locations Receive Hours Expansions
Eleven library locations have extended their hours thanks to Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the DPL Fund. Additional hours have been added at the following branch libraries:
- Bear Valley Branch Library
- Decker Branch Library
- Eugene Field Branch Library
- Montbello Branch Library
- Park Hill Branch Library
- Ross-Broadway Branch Library
- Smiley Branch Library
- Woodbury Branch Library
- University Hills Branch Library
- Westwood Branch Library
The Ross-Cherry Creek Branch Library also reopened to the public with extended hours. Hours at the John “Thunderbird Man” Emhoola Jr. Branch Library have shifted from a Tuesday to Saturday schedule to a Monday to Friday schedule. Check out the hours at specific locations on DPL's Hours and Locations web page.
October 2023 Update
Quarter Three Investments and Accomplishments to Date
During the first nine months of this year, the Denver Public Library (DPL) has been able to fulfill many of the commitments made to the community thanks to funding from Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the Denver Public Library Fund. Some highlights include reduced wait times for very popular titles, the addition of several new resources for cardholders, staff pay adjustments, and extended hours at several branch locations. Read the media release for more information.
The New York Times Online Now Available for DPL Cardholders
Thanks to funding from Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the Denver Public Library Fund, we’re excited to launch online access to The New York Times! For folks who don’t have internet access at home, they can still visit a branch and use a DPL computer, or our wifi to access the NYTimes on their device. DPL’s subscription includes access to NYTimes.com (News & Opinion, Book Review, Wirecutter, etc.), Games, Cooking, and The Athletic. Check out the New York Times Online.
August 2023 Update
TheShelf TV Now Available for DPL Cardholders
TheShelf TV, the leading platform for streaming audiovisual services in Spanish for libraries in Latin America and the United States, is now available for DPL cardholders. Customers can access their extensive catalog of movies, TV and so much more thanks to funding from Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the DPL Fund. Learn more about TheShelf TV.
Tutor.com Now Available for DPL Cardholders
Tutor.com a free online platform for kids, teens and adults is now available thanks to funding from Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the DPL Fund. DPL is thrilled to offer this resource to customers of all ages to support their academic and professional journeys. Check out tutor.com.
July 2023 Update
Westwood Branch Library Reopens on August 1 with Facility Improvements!
The Westwood Branch Library reopens Tuesday, August 1. Upgrades to the library include an expansion of the space by 50%, the addition of a computer lab, and a renovated lobby. Come see what’s new and stop by anytime between 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. on August 4 for a celebratory open house. There will be refreshments, DPL branded swag, and a guided tour of the branch updates made possible thanks to Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the DPL Fund.
Extended Hours Are Here!
Five DPL locations are now open seven days a week thanks to funding from Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the DPL Fund. Green Valley Ranch Branch Library, Sam Gary Branch Library, Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales Branch Library, Hadley Branch Library, and Hampden Branch Library are now open for additional hours in the mornings and on Sundays. Plans are in the works to add hours at other locations over time.
An Evening with Author Jasmine Guillory
Denver Public Library is excited to announce An Evening with Author Jasmine Guillory as our first Strong Library, Strong Denver funded program! Guillory is a New York Times bestselling author and is known for her novels The Wedding Date, the Reese's Book Club selection The Proposal, Drunk on Love, and many more. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Cosmopolitan, Bon Appetit, and Time, and she is a frequent book contributor on The Today Show. The program will take place on August 12 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Register and learn more about the program here.
June 2023 Update
Launchpads Have Landed at the Library!
The library is now offering Launchpads thanks to funding from Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the DPL Fund! These tablets, geared towards children ages 3-7, come pre-loaded with exciting games, stories and learning apps all designed to educate in an entertaining way. With no wifi connection required, Launchpads reduce technology barriers, meet kids where they are, and encourage their exploration and learning. Each tablet has a theme, including STEAM, math, music and favorite characters. View all Launchpads in our collection here.
Westwood Branch Library is Temporarily Closed for Facility Improvements
The Westwood Branch Library will temporarily close for building improvements beginning June 14. This project is the first facility improvement to be funded by Strong Library, Strong Denver supported by the DPL Fund. Learn more.
May 2023 Update
Join the team at DPL!
We’re gearing up to bring even more library access, resources and materials to the community this year thanks to funding from Strong Library, Strong Denver supported by the DPL Fund. In order to make this happen, we’re growing our team at DPL. Check out all the positions we have available now.
Quarter 1 2023 Update
DPL announced its quarter one Strong Library, Strong Denver investments and accomplishments on April 6. Read the media release for more information.
March 2023 Update
Ebook wait time for extremely popular titles reduced thanks to funding from Strong Library, Strong Denver supported by the DPL Fund
Thanks to Denver voters, we recently added additional funding to OverDrive which provides our collection of ebooks, audiobooks and magazines. This has allowed us to reduce wait times for extremely popular titles. Previously, these in demand titles ranged from approximately an eight month to year long wait time for customers, now wait times for these very popular titles have been reduced by half to approximately three to four months.
New Learning Platform Added for Cardholders
Craftsy and Craftsy en Español are now available to anybody with a DPL library card thanks Denver voters. Both are learning platforms that offer classes on a variety of topics that are suitable for beginners to those with more advanced skills. Craftsy is available via Libby.
February 2023 Update
We're Hiring
We’ve been hiring to ensure we have staff in place to support projects like maintenance upgrades and future hours expansions. Check out our current job openings.
New Databases Added for Cardholders
Two new databases are now available to anybody with a DPL library card thanks to Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the DPL Fund.
- Freegal Music+ is an ad-free, unlimited streaming platform that gives you access to millions of songs from 200+ genres. Learn more about Freegal or access Freegal.
- Statista is an easy-to-use portal that integrates statistics and reports from thousands of sources on topics related to business, media, public policy, health, technology, and many others. Visit Statista now.