The Schlessman Family Branch Library is closed for renovations as of January 20, 2025.
Overview
Address: 100 Poplar Street
Year opened: 2002
Square footage: 14,884 sq. ft.
Renovation project includes:
- Reimagine service point for technology and service models
- Updating/relocating the community room
- Exploring new arrangements for flexible learning spaces
- Redesigning the children’s area
- Modifying material shelving arrangement
- Redesigning staff rooms
- Exploring new arrangements for computers/mobile device access
- Exterior improvements to research and repair leaking titanium façade panels, replacing the roof, addressing landscaping, sidewalk and exterior lighting
- Improvements to building systems including HVAC
- Reducing solar gain on east and south curtain wall, life safety, surveillance and access controls, electrical, data, and communication systems
- Provide new interior finishes, furniture, fixtures, and signage
- Compliance with current ADA requirements
Architecture Firm: studiotrope Design Collective
General Contractor: Mark Young Construction
Estimated Budget: Elevate Denver GO Bond Program: $3.53M, Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the Denver Public Library Fund: $1M
History
The Schlessman Family Branch Library opened in March 2002 and replaced the Montclair Branch, which closed in January the same year. The modest-sized branch is one of DPL’s most popular and its technology, collections and facility are heavily used by community members of all ages. The 14,850-square-foot building cost $3.2 million and was designed by architect Michael Brendle and was designed to be a bridge between the adjacent historic neighborhoods and the aviation history of the former Lowry Air Force Base.
The Lowry Trios, a 12 painted panels installation by artist Stephen Batura, is inside the library. The paintings are based on historic photos of the area.
The branch is named for the Schlessman family, who donated one million dollars for the project, which was combined with bond issue money and funds from the Ross Trust.
The branch serves a diverse service area including families with children across a range of ages, singles and married couples without children, immigrants and seniors. The branch’s collection and programs reflect the neighborhood’s diversity and address their needs and interests.
Community Input
The Schlessman Family Branch Library community conversation was held in July 2016 and brought residents from Lowry together with library staff to discuss the future of the area. Lowry residents want a peaceful and safe community for children and desire to create a community where neighbors know one another. Attendees expressed concern about existing safety and security and a lack of available resources for families of different ethnic and economic backgrounds. Overall, residents opined for the ideal of Lowry as a planned, safe and walkable community.