Denver, Colorado, New Public Library, 1911

 

Denver’s first public library opened in 1889, but it was small and inadequate.

Andrew Carnegie, known for funding libraries nationwide, donated $200,000 in 1902 for a new central library.

Designed by Albert Ross, the new building was completed in 1910.

The library served Denver for decades before being replaced by a larger, modern facility in 1956.

The original Carnegie Library now houses the McNichols Civic Center Building.

Dayton Memorial Library, Regis College, Denver, Colorado

[LIB9435] - Maximum capacity of 150,000 volumes, the building seats 400 with a variety of cheerful, practical seating accommodations, including tables, carrels, independent study hall, group study and seminar rooms. Unique design of the library dominates panoramic view of campus. [from the back of the card]

1915 Lily Pond, City Park, Denver, Colorado Postage by markomundo
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Public Library, Denver, Colorado

[LIB1889] Special Collection: Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library - Denver's Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, the only library of its kind between Detroit and Oakland, serves as an educational and cultural resource for the people of Denver, Colorado,
and the world, focusing on the history, literature, art, music, religion, and politics of African Americans in Colorado and throughout the Rocky Mountain West. Exhibits highlight areas such as the historic Five Points neighborhood, African Americans in early Denver (including the city's earliest arrivals), the Black West, African American leadership (the Mayor's Office and other distinguished mayors of Denver) and a
gallery of temporary exhibits. The Blair-Caldwell AARL offers full, traditional library services and is housed in a three-story, wheelchair-accessible, 40,000 square foot building. [Website]

Mary Reed Library, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado

[LIB1293]

The Mary Reed Building at the University of Denver (DU) was originally constructed as the University’s library. It was built in 1932 to replace the Andrew S. Carnegie Library. The building was first used on January 1, 1933. The building was named after Mary D. Reed (Mrs. Verner Z. Reed), the donor. The building was decommissioned as a library in 1972. It houses administrative offices including those of the chancellor and provost. The building is located at 2199 South University Boulevard in Denver, Colorado, 80208 [read more at the website]

1937 Public Library from Voorhees Pool, Civic Center, Denver, Colorado

[LIB676] Click on the image to order a reproduction of this postcard!

1954 Carnegie Public Library, Denver, Colorado

[LIB0311] Website

Public Library and State Capitol, Denver, Colorado Postcard

Public Library and State Capitol, Denver, Colorado by scenesfromthepast
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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)

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]