After the new Rawlings Library opened in 2003, the Roadmap to the Future was adopted on June 23, 2005, as part of a five year strategic planning process. Under Diversity, the plan stated:
"Pueblo County's population is diverse. This is characterized by large numbers of both Hispanic and Spanish speaking citizens. In 2000, 38% or 53,710 of Pueblo County residents self-identified themselves as Hispanic. This was the fastest growing ethnic group increasing 21.8% from 1990 to 2000. Spanish-speaking residents made up 14.2% of the County's population in 2000.
In the City of Pueblo, Hispanic residents account for 43% of the total population. In some areas of the city, Hispanics make up as much as 70% of the population with more than 30% of them being Spanish-speakers. This is true in areas such as the East Side, Bessemer and Hyde Park."
Given those demographics it was proposed that a Hispanic Resource Center be established at the Rawlings Library which could provide free cultural, informational and educational resources, activities, and services to both Spanish and English-speaking customers. The following services were proposed:
- Bilingual librarians to answer questions and help locate resources
- Bilingual story times for children and their families
- Spanish-language books, videotapes, music compact discs, and other materials
- Spanish-language magazines and newspapers available in print and online
- Audio tapes and books to help learn English and Spanish
- English-language books and materials celebrating Hispanic culture, art, history, current issues, and travel
- Computers with Spanish-language software and keyboards that offer Internet access, educational games for children and Microsoft Office Suite applications including Word, Excel, Access, Power-Point, and Publisher
- Free workshops, guest speakers, art exhibits, educational programs, and entertainment such as flamenco dancers, mariachi bands, and classic Hispanic movies
- Free meeting rooms available for use by community organizations and groups