Park Hill Branch Library Renovation Celebration
Councilwoman Carla Madison, City Librarian Shirley Amore, neighbors and others gathered on September 26, 2009 to celebrate the renovation and reopening of the Park Hill Branch Library located at 4705 Montview Boulevard in Denver. The event featured remarks by Councilwoman Madison and Ms. Amore, as well as family-friendly entertainment activities of face-painting, button-making, live music and light refreshments.
Better Denver Bond–funded renovations at the Park Hill Branch Library were completed in the fall of 2009. This 1920’s-era, facility, with its Spanish tile roof, lead-glass arched windows, window seating, carved ceiling beams, and graceful fireplace was originally built through an Andrew Carnegie Foundation grant. The 2009 renovations retained and preserved the historic ambiance of the building while also improving the function, technology, energy-efficiency, building security, comfort and aesthetics of the library. The renovations improved the layout of the facility, and the children’s area and adult collections were switched to opposite side of the library to optimize usage. The children’s area is now housed in the space with lower ceilings and a bank of low windows. The more formal, high-ceiling and dark beam room now houses the adult collections.
Bond funding also covered the installation of automated library material self–check stations at Park Hill Library and the introduction of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to library materials which will revolutionize how library customers will be able to access and acquire library books and media, and conduct other library-related business. This technology will increase staff productivity, allowing faster materials processing, to make the collection available for customer access and use.
Park Hill Library Renovations
- Incorporated Family and Children’s program style features within the library
- New paint and carpet throughout
- New comfortable soft-seat furniture, and new wood tables and chairs
- New energy-efficient ambient lighting fixtures throughout, with extra emphasis on lighting over the Circulation Desk, self-check machines and the adult non-fiction collection.
- Relocated, replaced and updated the service desk to provide state-of-the-art amenities, complete with data, power and communication amenities.
- Installed self-check machines and modified the service area to provide RFID-enhanced services
- Updated the restrooms with new floor covering, partitions, lighting and paint. Partnered with Denver Water to install low flow devices.
- Redesigned the book-drop on the service side, in the interior
- Refreshed the Children’s area with child-sized seating and interactive wall puzzles
- Provided new, designated areas for a customer computer Wifi area with comfortable seating, a designated computer desk top area, and an area for parent and child computing.
- Carpeted the downstairs area outside the community room to make the space quieter
- Provided ergonomic improvements in staff work areas
- In keeping with the historic architecture, refinished the woodwork, case-work and doors with light sanding, staining and sealing.
- Replaced Fire Alarm and made upgrades to electrical distribution
- Repaired and replaced roof tiles as well as complete replacement of portions of the roof.
Total Project Budget / Cost: $542,252
DPL Project Team: Susan Kotarba, Corinne Jackamore, Kit Cusker, Elaine Langeberg, Michael Murphy, and Kateri Abeyta
Project Manager: Elizabeth Hamilton, City & County of Denver General Services
Architect: OZ Architecture – Shelly Cockrell and Tracy Tafoya
Contractor: Interlock Construction