Four Denver libraries will close for 18 months, maybe longer
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DENVER — Four of Denver’s 26 public libraries are closing within the next two months and will remain closed for at least a year and a half.
The Hampden Branch Library closed Saturday, Oct. 4. The Ross-Broadway Branch Library will close Nov. 1, the Eugene Field Branch Library will close Nov. 26 and Ross-University Hills Branch Library will close Dec. 20.
Two of the branches — Eugene Field and Ross-University Hills — are closing six months ahead of schedule in response to the city’s budget cuts, said Olivia Gallegos, Denver Public Library spokesperson. Denver is currently in a $200 million budget deficit, and agencies across the city have made cuts.
“Like all city agencies, we were given a reduction target and we identified this as a way to get us almost halfway to our total reduction,” Gallegos said.
Libraries feel like the last free gathering space as winter looms and parks become less accessible, said Stephanie Yoon, who visited the Hampden Branch Library about three to four days a week before it closed.
“You have to pay money to just sit anywhere else, and that’s what makes libraries so unique,” said Yoon, who lives in Erie and tutors Aurora Public Schools students in math. The Hampden Branch Library served as a free and convenient halfway meeting space for her and her students. Yoon is now searching for a new place to meet students.
Mayor Mike Johnston’s office directed Denver Public Libraries to reduce 15% of its budget, about $9.2 million, which the early closures will cover. The library system also plans to cut an additional $3.7 million in services through cutting redundant subscriptions and IT programs, though Gallegos said the library has not cut those yet.
The Eugene Field, Ross-University Hills and Ross-Broaway Branches — all in South Denver — received a combined $12.5 million for renovations when voters approved the Elevate Denver GO Bond in 2017.
The Hampden Branch Library received $3.44 million when voters approved the 2021 RISE Denver GO Bond funding.
The 68 employees working in the four closing branches will be reassigned to other libraries in the city, Gallegos said.
When the libraries reopen, patrons can expect updated restrooms, plumbing and HVAC systems. The Ross-Broadway Branch will also expand more than 2,000 square feet with a courtyard and new community room. The Hampden Branch Library will receive 2,500 new square feet, a teenagers’ room and more public computers.
In addition to the bond money, Denver Public Library will dedicate $880,000 of its budget to the Hampden Branch Library renovations.
Ross-Broadway will use $3.7 million from the 2017 Elevate Denver Bond, $2.35 million from the Strong Library, Strong Denver fund and an anonymous $750,000 donation.
Renovations at Ross-University Hills will cost $4.53 million and Eugene Field will cost $3.4 million. Most of the money has come from the bonds, with some supplementation from the Denver Capital Improvement Fund and Denver Public Library Fund.
The Ross-University Hills Library was a source of warmth in the winter and a place to cool off in the summer, said Max Kleinfeld, who is homeless.
“I know I can come in here, read a book, use whatever I need to use and not be judged or looked at funny,” Kleinfeld said. “You can't get that really elsewhere.”
Closing four libraries in the same part of town isn’t ideal, Gallegos said. But the bond money voters approved required renovations, and renovations require closures.
Just over 2 miles away, Virginia Village is the closest open library to the Ross-University Hills Branch Library. The Central Library is less than 1.5 miles from the Ross-Broadway Branch Library.
The four branches will be closed at least 18 months, though the timeline could be longer, Gallegos said. Denver Public Libraries is working with Denver Parks and Recreation to integrate some library programs, such as game nights and craft workshops, into recreation centers.
Type of story: News
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. To read more about why you can trust the journalism of Rocky Mountain PBS, please visit our editorial standards and practices page.
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. To read more about why you can trust the journalism of Rocky Mountain PBS, please visit our editorial standards and practices page.