Rawlings Renovation: On March 22, 2023, the Robert Hoag Rawlings Library marked the completion of a nearly two year renovation with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The renovation of the Robert Hoag Rawlings Library was a project that created a mobility plaza allowing better access to the entrance of the library; added a cafe, maker space, computer tech training lab, and added an outdoor amphitheater to the facility. This renovation transformed the second floor of the library into a hub for all age groups, updated the third floor housing the Hispanic resource center and local history and genealogy and converted the fourth floor into a grand community event space. The grand re-opening of this facility provided a library to our community that will serve present as well as future needs.
Summer Reading Program: The 2023 Summer Reading Program helped nearly 7,000 and checked out more than 34,000 books over the summer! In addition to providing books to youth in our community, the Summer Reading Program provided fun educational programs and great prizes to help children and teens enjoy reading and stay active during the summer months. This program is very impactful in our community, providing educational ways for children, teens and their parents to maintain and improve reading skills, develop a love of reading, and start the practice of lifelong learning over summer break.
All Pueblo Reads: The2023 All Pueblo Reads brought a whale of a good time ... or maybe it was really an octopus of a good time. All Pueblo Reads is a literary project that encourages everyone in Pueblo County to read and discuss the same book at the same time. The book chosen this year was Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, the novel follows Tova Sullivan, a widow in the Pacific Northwest whose son disappeared 30 years ago. As she works the night shift at an aquarium, she develops an unlikely bond with Marcellus, the giant Pacific octopus at the aquarium who ultimately helps her uncover the truth of her past. All Pueblo Reads aims to promote dialogue across cultural, generational and socioeconomic lines, and this year's book selection brought together people from across our community.
Barkman Library Renovation: PCCLD aims to provide the best possible public library system in our community, our work to renew public libraries in Pueblo continues with our new plans to renovate the Barkman & Lucero Libraries. This facility is one of PCCLD's busiest locations, and in the most need of expansion and renovation. The Frank & Marie Barkman Library serves the neighborhoods including Belmont, Pueblo’s north side, Eastwood Heights and beyond. The renovation of the Barkman Library enlarges the building by one-third and incorporates a larger meeting room for hosting library programs and community events. A beautiful new pedestrian bridge will lead to the nearby green space, improving the neighborhood and offering a wonderful connection between the park and the Barkman library. The work of today's public library has many facets–it’s a community center, provides access to information and educational programming and serves as a lifeline to resources and connections.
What a better way to end the year than by helping to support and build up members of our community than through an investment in your public library. Investing in public libraries is a testament to Pueblo’s commitment to literacy and learning.
It is a worthy cause deserving of community support.