How To: Use Your Library Best!
Libraries are so special, support them by using their services and protect them as the community hub third spaces!
I grew up a library kid. I borrowed books, movies, CDs, went to events like movie nights with other nerds as a teen, applied to my first job in a library, and you bet I earned my free pass to Lakeside at the end of every summer reading program. I have many memories of walking through rows of books, letting curiosity lead me.
As an adult, I am still a big reader, but I slipped into making more purchases because I didn’t have enough time to go to the library. I took to strolling through thrift stores and purchasing audiobooks to multitask when commuting or doing chores. (As a bookish person, the lure of being surrounded by books is impossible to ignore.)
I am also a strange reader; I tend to travel through many genres, and I miss physically browsing topic areas to discover new reads. I missed talking with librarians for recommendations. I missed having a printer that I didn’t have to manage… all this to say…The Denver Public Libraries are amazing! We are so lucky to have access to many different branches with many services.
How to use any Library
Locate a library! Give her a visit, and check her out. She’ll love you. (Libraries are femme, I don’t make the rules, just follow them.)
Get a library card to borrow or check anything out. (Optional but recommended)
Discover what they offer by searching their website or talking to your librarian. When you get a card, they will tell you about the popular perks and would love to tell you about the other cool secret menu libraries offer, like borrowing a sewing machine!
Some of the Denver Public Library’s services
All of these services are FREE TO USE for all individuals. You will need to have a library card for some of these. Check out their site for news and details.
The Basics
Check out books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays.
Use their computers to access the internet.
A quiet, relaxing place to work, chat with friends, warm up/cool down.
Join a club or an event to learn something new or meet local folks.
Ask for assistance with anything from creating a resume to researching your ancestors.
Access to public bathrooms and water fountains.
Reserve a community room.
Copy and print services.
Free public wifi access.
Getting interesting…
Check out Chromebooks for 3 months.
Get internet hotspots for 3 months.
Access Udemy and learn and improve business, tech, design, and more skills. Includes 25,000+ on-demand video courses in multiple languages.
Borrow tools and specialty items like a sewing machine or a button maker.
Call in to hear a story; multiple languages are available.
Tutoring and homework help for kids and teens.
The “Oh shit, that’s cool.”
You can borrow museum and cultural passes! The Denver Art Museum, Museum of Nature and Science, the Butterfly Pavilion…and so many more. Check them all out.
Including national forest passes. Get out of town and check out the mountains!
Access ebooks and audiobooks on Libby/Overdrive from your phone, e-reader, or tablet! Avoid supporting Amazon products (Kindle/Audible), and get your books from the library!
Access Kanopy to stream movies, documentaries, shows, and children’s content. (As a personal note, this is one of my favorite things; there are so many cool movies and documentaries!)
Denver libraries have the Healthy Food for Denver's Kids (HFDK) grant. The grant, launched by the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE), aims to support healthy food access and food-based education for youth. Learn more!
Bicycle repair kits, rent tools and access to the Denver Tool Library… and more
The biggest running list of community services
Immigrant, elder, ex-offender, and disabled resources and services!
Appointment services: these one-on-one appointment options with library professionals can cover everything from starting a business to helping you with technology.
Lastly, librarians are very good with recommendations. Don’t know what to read or watch? A librarian will steer you to something great, and they can also make you a personal reading list 💅
How and why to support libraries
Libraries are the best expression of the golden “third space” that everyone wants. With more funding, they can be open longer, provide more services, and support education. They are free for anyone to use and are full of people who care about their community. I can’t think of a better use of tax dollars.
However, libraries are often at risk for budget cuts. Like the postal service, they were meant to be investments in our neighborhoods, not profitable businesses. What you can do to help libraries keep their funding and have justifiable reasons to ask for more is to get a card and use their services! Borrow everything, go to events, and make the most use of these perks! It’s free and easy to help libraries!
If you want to go above and beyond, you can also become a friend to the DPL and volunteer your time. You can advocate for bills that support community sharing and make sure that you support initiatives that keep library books unbanned and keep services available to all (ex, pushing back on campaigns to ban books and supporting drag queen storytimes)
Where are the closest libraries?
These are the two libraries near the Cole neighborhood in Denver.
Located: 2825 High St. 80205 | 720-865-0920
Hours: Mon-Fri: 10-6 | Sat: 10-5 | Sun: Closed
Located: 1900 35th Street, Suite A, 80216 | 720-865-2400
Hours: Sun -Mon: Closed | Tues-Fri: 10-6 | Sat: 10-5
This location also hosts the Denver Zine Library (housed on Level 2, Saturdays: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.)
I hope you can check out our libraries if you haven’t already, and if you ever see me in the stacks, say hello! We can trade recommendations and be library friends!
Great information and well written!