January 2012: New Libraries Coming in the New Year

Happy New Year! As 2012 dawns, we continue to make progress on our construction projects. Two new libraries are slated to open in 2012 and the remaining two projects will break ground in 2012. Read on to learn about what's in store for our libraries in New Castle, Silt, Glenwood Springs, and Carbondale.

New Castle Branch Library

Join us for the grand reopening on April 14, 2012, to see the amazing transformation to our 1968 building. The building's roof was raised and we now have beautiful wood beams throughout the building as well as two new clerestory windows bringing light into the middle of the building. The library will have 10kwh of solar panels designed and installed by Colorado Mountain College's Integrated Energy classes. Currently, we are finishing up drywall and preparing for paint, flooring and fixtures. GCPLD recently received a generous donation from Encana Energy Inc. to purchase the natural gas heating systems for this facility and the one to be built in Silt. We have also received a $20,000 grant from the Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation for an interactive early literacy installation in the children's area. Other donor opportunities are still available. Contact Kelsy Been at kbeen@gcpld.org or call 625-4270 for more information.

Silt Branch Library

We are preparing to break ground on the new Silt Branch Library in March at the corner of Seventh Street and Home Avenue, next door to the current library. The new library will also have an expandable meeting room, two study rooms, separate teen and children's spaces and expanded computer access. The new library has a community plaza between the building and the Silt Town Hall. One of the features of this space will be 28 "volumes" cut into the concrete representing 28 titles. Donors can select a favorite book to honor for $250. Titles will need to be known titles of published works and the library can help with suggestions. If you are interested contact Kelsy Been at kbeen@gcpld.org or call 625-4270. We hope to be open in this location in late 2012.

Glenwood Springs Branch Library

Design work continues on the new Glenwood Springs Branch Library. The 14,000 square foot building will feature a 1,500 square foot public meeting room, a community plaza, quiet study room with a fireplace, special children's and teen areas and several private study rooms. The new branch will be built at the corner of Eighth Street and Cooper Avenue with construction starting in April 2012 and opening in mid-2013. Architect Dennis Humphries of Humphries Poli Architecture is leading the process. For more information call Amelia Shelley at 625-4270 or email ashelley@gcpld.org.

Carbondale Branch Library

We are continuing to seek public input for the new Carbondale Branch Library. The design team’s goal is to create a library that is not only in Carbondale, but of Carbondale. Our goal for ground breaking is in the summer of 2012 with an opening date sometime mid-2013. The new 13,000 square foot library will be located at the corner of Third Street and Sopris Avenue, adjacent to Bridges High School. The site affords ample parking, proximity to downtown and the Third Street Center and great views of Mount Sopris.

Third Public Open House – Thursday, January 12, Progress Check: This meeting gives the community another opportunity for input as the direction of the new library facility design develops. Particular emphasis is being placed on integrating local artisans into the process. The meeting will be held at the Third Street Center in the Callaway Room. All community design open houses will take place from 4:00pm to 6:30pm with after-hours open house available until 8:00pm for those who need to come later. People are encouraged to come when they are able and jump into a lively community event. The design team is led by Willis Pember Architects with support from library architect Humphries Poli, Land+Shelter, DHM Design, Schmueser Gordon Meyer, Dan Richardson, KL&A, Beaudin Ganze, Group 3 Planners, Mark Chain Consulting. Community meetings are also graciously supported by the Third Street Center. Please contact Andrea Korber of Land+Shelter with any questions about the community outreach process at 970.963.0201 or andi@landandshelter.com.