Natural light filters through arched windows at the Denver Public Library’s Woodbury branch, brightening the once dark and crumbling 91-year-old building.
When the library reopened its doors this week, after being closed for nearly six months for repairs and upgrades, patrons said the transformation was worth the wait.
“Oh, I love it now,” said Vicky Garcia, who stopped to visit the library Wednesday. “I like the layout better.”
The library overhaul cost $375,000 from the $550 million Better Denver bond program approved by voters in 2007. It corrected problems that included a leaking roof, worn carpets and an inefficient heating and cooling system.
“Voters value libraries. They are the ones who made this possible,” said DPL spokeswoman Celeste Jackson.
Today, the old Woodbury library in Denver’s Highland neighborhood has a new fire- and security- detection system, upgraded electrical and plumbing systems, new flooring, new tables, chairs, desks, freshly painted walls, an automatic door for the disabled and an additional Wi-Fi antenna. The library also has a new checkout system.
A children’s area that was once two crowded nooks has flourished into a larger space filled with colorful chairs of various sizes and wooden crates filled with books and computers.
Hamilton Bean and his son, Max, 4, also visited the Woodbury library Wednesday because it’s within walking distance of home. For the past six months, they have made weekly trips to another library more than a mile away.
“It’s just gorgeous. I thank Andrew Carnegie for his donation; it’s still paying dividends,” said Bean, referring to the industrialist who, between 1883 and 1929, donated money for the construction of more than 2,500 libraries worldwide. A Carnegie grant funded the construction of the Woodbury branch.
City libraries over the past years have suffered budget cuts, shortened library hours and staff reductions. But the Better Denver bond package allowed for repairs and upgrades to be made to existing libraries. The program also allowed for the building this year of three branches in Green Valley Ranch, the Stapleton neighborhood and Denver’s west side.
Annette Espinoza: 303-954-1655 or aespinoza@denverpost.com
Welcome back
The Woodbury library, 3265 Federal Blvd., is open 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.
A renovation celebration will be held Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. featuring entertainment for children and library patrons.
