Douglas County Libraries

Douglas County Libraries is a public library system serving Douglas County, Colorado, in the United States.

History

Douglas County Libraries was established in November 1966 when the Douglas County Board of Commissioners appropriated $5,000 for library operations for the following year.^[1] Philanthropist Philip S. Miller and his wife, Jerri, donated $25,000 for library construction in May 1967.^[2] The library opened in a temporary space at 311 Third St, Castle Rock, Colorado in August 1967.^[3]

On May 2, 1969, the library moved to a more permanent space at 303 N. Gilbert Street in Castle Rock.^[4]

The first book depository in Parker, Colorado opened in a small building, which no longer exists, on the north side of Main Street. The building was generously leased to the library volunteer staff by the late Charles O'Brien for $1.^[5] When a fire damaged the building housing the Parker book depository, the library moved to the basement of Ruth Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church; it officially became then part of the Douglas County Public Library System.

In June 1980, the Library Board announced plans to rename Castle Rock Library after Philip S. Miller.^[6] Formal dedication occurred on August 8, 1980.

The Parker branch moved to 19801 East Main Street with a dedication ceremony on June 7, 1985.

In March 1990 the Douglas County Public Library District was formed by the voters, creating an independent taxing district to fund library operations.

November 1990 saw the advent of patrons' ability to dial into the library from their computer modems to view the libraries' electronic catalog. By 1991, patrons were able to put holds on books through their home computers/modems.

In 1992, Douglas County Libraries became the first Dynix public library in Colorado to connect to the Internet.

Philip S. Miller died at age 99 in June 1995. The library district receives approximately $150,000 per year from its 10% share of the Miller Charitable Trust Fund. Also in 1995, The library district purchased Crossroads Lane Bowling Alley in Parker, which became the new Parker Library in December 16, 1995.^[7]

Douglas County Libraries launched its website in 1996.^[8] The ability for patrons to be notified of holds and receive overdue notices by e-mail was introduced in 1998. The Lone Tree Library opened in October 24, 1998. In Lone Tree, Colorado,^[9] replacing an older branch library called Oakes Mill.

On July 15, 2000, the Highlands Ranch Library opened at 9292 Ridgeline Blvd in Highlands Ranch.^[10] Previous to this new library, the branch had been located in a retail space near Broadway and Plaza Drive.

In 2003, Douglas County Libraries received a branding redesign complete with new logo and website. In September 2003, the Philip S Miller Library moved to a new facility (100 S Wilcox Street, Castle Rock).^[11]

Douglas County Libraries became the third-largest library system in Colorado in 2007, and was ranked second in Colorado for circulation. Douglas County Libraries was awarded the 2007 John Cotton Dana Award, the American Library Association's "most prestigious award" that honors outstanding library public relations. The library district was recognized for the promotion of the Page to Stage Productions literary theatre tour.

In 2008, Douglas County Libraries, in partnership with the Douglas County School District RE-1, offered the first GED testing opportunities in the county. By the end of the year, 73 students had passed the GED.

Douglas County Libraries' are looking to the future, and are building larger libraries in Parker, Castle Pines and Lone Tree, with expected opening dates in 2016.

Branches

Philip S. Miller Library, 2011

Roxborough Library, 2011

• Castle Rock - Philip S. Miller
• Castle Pines
• Lone Tree
• Louviers
• Highlands Ranch - James H. LaRue
• Parker
• Roxborough

Source: Locations & Hours. Douglas County Libraries website.

Services

Douglas County Libraries's mission is to be an advocate for literacy and lifelong learning. All of its services tie back to this mission.

Bark for Books, allows school-age children to improve their literacy skills by reading to a dog from the Intermountain Therapy Animals.

Cuddle Up and Read, Douglas County Libraries provides books, parenting information and an application for a special baby library card to parents of newborns.

Adult Learning Center offers free GED preparation and live online tutors to help prepare for the test.

Citizenship Classes are offered twice a year to prepare candidates for the US Citizenship interview.

The Douglas County History Research Center collects and preserves the history of Douglas County and assists the public with Douglas County history, Colorado history, and genealogy topics.

References

External links

• http://www.dcl.org/