Garfield County has some wonderful libraries, most of them built about a decade ago following a successful public vote on a bond issue. But 10 years is long enough to call for a second look and to freshen things up.
Our first building refresh is the New Castle Branch. Branch manager Ana Gaytan cut the ribbon on May 28, 2025. Jenn Cook, former New Castle branch manager (now Technical Services Director for the district) held one end and I held the other. Just beyond was a couch, chairs and Spanish materials for all ages.
I recommend a visit. The project, completed on time and on budget, reflects the changing use of the public library.
We still check out a lot of books — over half a million a year. And just try to get through our displays without grabbing something. The book will endure.
But these days just over 50% of our checkouts are virtual. That includes ebooks, audiobooks, and movies. It also includes electronic research tools: a vetted list of information sources for anyone from student to small business owner. That’s the big takeaway from COVID. Now people can “go to the library” from anywhere, 24 hours a day. The library never closes. Sometimes the building does.
Our first building refresh is the New Castle Branch. Branch manager Ana Gaytan cut the ribbon on May 28, 2025. Jenn Cook, former New Castle branch manager (now Technical Services Director for the district) held one end and I held the other. Just beyond was a couch, chairs and Spanish materials for all ages.
I recommend a visit. The project, completed on time and on budget, reflects the changing use of the public library.
We still check out a lot of books — over half a million a year. And just try to get through our displays without grabbing something. The book will endure.
But these days just over 50% of our checkouts are virtual. That includes ebooks, audiobooks, and movies. It also includes electronic research tools: a vetted list of information sources for anyone from student to small business owner. That’s the big takeaway from COVID. Now people can “go to the library” from anywhere, 24 hours a day. The library never closes. Sometimes the building does.
Today fewer people come in for the quick transaction of a book. More of them swing by for other reasons. It could be that they’re attending a children’s storytime. It might be a teen or adult program. Kids now have more space, playful new furniture, and some pretty cool places to curl up with a book.
Another big use is study and virtual office space. New Castle used to have two small study rooms and a big community room. We carved out more spaces using moveable furniture rather than walls. You will now find that anywhere you look there are inviting places to spread out, plug in your devices, and soak up the ambiance.
We have also sketched out some new spaces (mostly local history and maker station) still under development. Look around and let us know what you think.
I should also note that the Parachute Branch has been going through even more extensive changes, although along the same basic lines of approach. It opened June 21.
When we conducted our community interviews at the end of 2023 we heard loud and clear the longing to belong, the craving for community. That desire informed our designs. We wanted our buildings to send an unambiguous message: You are welcome here. We celebrate not only each other but also the light, whether the sunshine streaming through our clerestory windows or the light of knowledge.
As I think about how best to assess our progress it occurs to me that it isn’t just how many copies of some title passed through public hands. It’s how many of your neighbors you saw and talked to. It’s how long you stayed to catch up with folks. Hanging out at the library doesn’t require you to buy anything. It’s prepaid through your taxes.
But maybe how long you hang out is a new measure of success. That might mean nothing more than finding your sanctuary. For me, the library was always the safest place. I know I’m not alone.
We have also sketched out some new spaces (mostly local history and maker station) still under development. Look around and let us know what you think.
I should also note that the Parachute Branch has been going through even more extensive changes, although along the same basic lines of approach. It opened June 21.
When we conducted our community interviews at the end of 2023 we heard loud and clear the longing to belong, the craving for community. That desire informed our designs. We wanted our buildings to send an unambiguous message: You are welcome here. We celebrate not only each other but also the light, whether the sunshine streaming through our clerestory windows or the light of knowledge.
As I think about how best to assess our progress it occurs to me that it isn’t just how many copies of some title passed through public hands. It’s how many of your neighbors you saw and talked to. It’s how long you stayed to catch up with folks. Hanging out at the library doesn’t require you to buy anything. It’s prepaid through your taxes.
But maybe how long you hang out is a new measure of success. That might mean nothing more than finding your sanctuary. For me, the library was always the safest place. I know I’m not alone.
I wanted also to underscore the economics of library construction. Garfield County sees some wild fluctuations of oil and gas revenue. It isn’t reliable. So when we see a spike we stash most of it away for capital projects.
Library construction makes jobs. We favor local contractors in the attempt to plow local tax money right back to our residents. The good news is that we have a lot of skilled local workers. They did a fantastic job. I got a big kick out of the subs who came back to see the finished product. They don’t usually get to. But a public library is public.
We’re not just building libraries. We’re building community.
Library construction makes jobs. We favor local contractors in the attempt to plow local tax money right back to our residents. The good news is that we have a lot of skilled local workers. They did a fantastic job. I got a big kick out of the subs who came back to see the finished product. They don’t usually get to. But a public library is public.
We’re not just building libraries. We’re building community.
[This column appeared in the June 27, 2025 edition of the Post Independent.]
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