East Denver Residents want cozy “Park Hill-like” library with modern technology… Mtg on Wed, 2/10 at 6:30pm

Community members want the new Stapleton library to be “more Park Hill, less Schlessman” as one resident put it.  By that, they mean they prefer the classic, Carnegie-style architecture of the Park Hill Branch Library rather than the modern style of the Schlessman Family Branch.

The new library is slated to come to Stapleton Town Center at East 29th Avenue on Roslyn Street in December 2011. Last week about 55 community members attended a meeting to give their input on the facility.

“The Carnegie model is more inviting,” said Erika Walker, a Stapleton resident. “Some of the more modern libraries feel like supermarkets, where you have to rush in and rush out. The materials are very cold … while a Carnegie says, ‘relax, slow down, enjoy being in this place.’ “

While the consensus was for a more traditional feel, residents still want modern technology, including the ability to check out books with iPhones, which was one idea that was pitched. The library will be equipped with self-checkout stations.

At 26,000 to 28,000 square feet, the energy-efficient library will be double the size of Schlessman, the nearest library, with almost four times as much parking.

Voters in 2007 approved bond money for three new libraries, each costing $12 million. The other two libraries will be in Green Valley Ranch and in west Denver.

There will be three more public input meetings. Conceptual design will be discussed at the next meeting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at William Roberts School, 2100 Akron Way, Denver. Comments also can be e-mailed to webmaster@denverlibrary.org.

by: Kathryn Richert/YourHub.com, Article Contributed on: 1/20/2010 11:40:57 AM