BARKMAN RENOVATION

Barkman Branch Library renovations begin August 1, 2023

PUEBLO, Colo. — Renovations to the Barkman Branch Library are set to begin Tuesday, Aug. 1. The $4.2 million project will involve major improvements including an expanded community meeting room; a bridge connecting the library to an outdoor green space; dedicated spaces for children, teens and adults; and updated security systems.

Located at 1300 Jerry Murphy Rd., the Belmont-area branch is next in line for renovation, according to the Pueblo City-County Library District’s master facilities plan. The 7,063 square-foot branch has seen more than 1.6 million visitors come through its doors and more than 2.7 million materials have been checked out during the past 11 alone.

“I am pleased that the library district is able to continue investing in its facilities. The renovation of the Barkman Library is important for serving the neighborhood well,” Sherri Baca, PCCLD executive director said.

New and expanded public areas include:

 

  • An outdoor bridge will span across the existing drainage storm drain spillway, leading to the green space of the park.
  • Dedicated spaces inside the library for children, teens, adults.
  • A Maker Space for STEM programming.
  • An expanded meeting room. An additional 2,750 square-feet of space will allow meetings for up to 70 persons. The current meeting room capacity is eight persons.
  •  Two new study rooms.


Additional safety measures include:

  • Updated indoor CCTV will provide greater coverage of interior spaces.
  • New outdoor parking lot security cameras that will provide 24/7 monitoring.
  • Environmental sensors in both public restrooms.
  • Additional on-site PCCLD security staff.
  • More public parking and enhanced outdoor lighting.
  • Lower bookshelves that will provide better line of sight for library staff.

“The addition and renovation will increase the size of the library and offer updated spaces, new technology, an expanded parking lot and a beautiful pedestrian bridge connecting the library to the green space nearby. We are focusing on safety measures for the library as well as dedicated spaces for children, teens and adults,” Baca continued.

Funding for the project is provided through library funds and private funds raised.

Leading the renovation are HBM Architects and Interior Designers of Cleveland, Ohio. Pueblo’s own H. W. Houston Construction is charged with managing construction. HBM Architects, along with Denver-based Anderson Mason Dale (AMD), headed the recent renovations to the Robert Hoag Rawlings Public Library.


Barkman Library will remain closed during the renovations; construction is expected to be completed in late spring, early summer of 2024. The public is encouraged to visit PCCLD’s other locations, including:
  • Tom L. and Anna Marie Giodone Branch Library, 24655 U.S. Hwy 50 E.
  • Greenhorn Valley Branch Library, 4801 Cibola Drive, Colorado City
  • Lamb Branch Library, 2525 S. Pueblo Blvd.
  • Library at the Y, 3200 E. Spaulding Ave.
  • Patrick A. Lucero Branch Library, 1315 E. 7th St.
  •  Pueblo West Branch Library, 298 S. Joe Martinez Blvd., Pueblo West
  • Robert Hoag Rawlings Public Library, 100 E. Abriendo Ave.

Named after Frank and Marie Barkman, Pueblo’s first-north side library was constructed in 1990. The Pueblo couple helped fund library projects through a foundation set up to honor Marie Barkman’s first husband Frank I. Lamb. The south-side branch, Lamb Branch Library, is named in his honor.

PCCLD is dedicated to serving as a foundation for the Pueblo community by offering welcoming, well equipped and maintained facilities, outstanding collections, and well-trained employees who provide expert service encouraging the joy of reading, supporting lifelong learning and presenting access to information from around the world.

Image