Denver Library plans cuts, Byers branch closing

Thanks to the Rocky Mountain Independent for this story: The Denver Public Library's (DPL) historic Byers branch may be closed as part of 2010 budget cuts. (Photo courtesy of the Denver Public Library, Western History Collection)

DPL will save an estimated $604,000 by shuttering this branch. The Byers branch, which was named after Rocky Mountain News founder William N. Byers, was one of nine Denver libraries built between 1913 and 1920 using funds from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Built in 1918, the Byers branch has been designated a historic landmark by the Denver Landmark Preservation Commission.

Only five of the Carnegie libraries in Denver remain in use: Byers, Smiley, Decker, Woodbury and Park Hill. The original Central Library building, located in Civic Center, is being used by the city and county of Denver. [Read the entire story from the Rocky Mountain Independent by CLICKING HERE)

Library, University of Colorado, Boulder CO

A Mike Roberts card no. C230. "One of the later additions to the beautiful campus of University of Colorado, is this unusually styled and architecturally lovely building. Here in the Rocky Mountains, this campus is sought by thousands of summer students who wish to combine a grand vacation with further education."

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1908 New Public Library GREELEY COLORADO

Addressed to Miss Isabelle Hamilton, Cripple Creek, Colorado.

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Public Library, MANITOU, COLORADO CO

A contemporary view. [Image Source]

An early 20th century view.

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Buy a reproduction of this vintage post card!

1913 Public Library, Denver, Colorado

In June 1889, City Librarian John Cotton Dana established Denver's first public library in a wing of Denver High School. He referred to it as a "center of public happiness." In 1910, the city opened a Central Library building of its own, an elegant Greek temple design funded by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and located in downtown's Civic Center Park. Between 1913 and 1920, Carnegie also underwrote construction of the city's first eight branch libraries. [http://www.denverlibrary.org/about/history.html]

Public Library, Fort Morgan, Colorado

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