PCCLD News

Press Releases:

Pueblo Library District to launch $2 million capital campaign

PUEBLO, Colo. – The Pueblo City-County Library District and Pueblo Library Foundation will launch a $2 million capital campaign to fund renovations for two of the district’s branch libraries. A campaign announcement is scheduled for 10 a.m., Wednesday, July 17 at the Lucero Library, located at 1315 E. 7th St.

 “This is the beginning of a transformative chapter for our community as we launch the Building Community Together campaign to renovate and expand the Barkman and Patrick A Lucero Libraries. This project is about more than just buildings; it’s about ensuring everyone in Pueblo has access to the resources they need to learn, grow, and thrive. Join us in creating a library that reflects the spirit and aspirations of our community," Nick Potter PCCLD’s executive director of library foundation and strategic initiatives said.

The Building Community Together Capital Campaign is an intensive fundraising effort needed to complete the expansion and renovation of the Frank and Marie Barkman and the Patrick A. Lucero libraries. These two library facilities will undergo improvement efforts that will enhance each location’s capacity to grow its services to meet the ever-changing needs of Pueblo’s children, teens, families and adults.

The Barkman Library has served the Belmont neighborhood and northern Pueblo for more than 30 years. The ongoing renovation and expansion of the Barkman improves the interior and exterior of the branch while adding an additional 2,643 square feet onto the building. More than 1.6 million visitors have come through its doors during the past 11 years alone. Since opening to the public in December of 2014, the Lucero Library has welcomed more than a million visitors. This small branch library is heavily used by the community and has quickly outgrown its footprint.

Overall cost of the renovations is more than $8.9 million; the price tag includes design, construction, furniture, fixtures and equipment. Renovations will primarily focus on refurbishing, and expanding the interior of the buildings along with exterior site work. Currently, more than $525,000 has been raised through a combination of public and private funding.

Lucero Library will close to the public August 3 in preparation for work to begin; Barkman Library is expected to wrap up at the beginning of September. A week of grand opening festivities is scheduled, beginning with official ribbon cutting at 9 a.m. on September 10 at Barkman Library, located at 1300 Jerry Murphy Rd.

“It is the goal that through the renovation of both Barkman and Lucero Libraries that patrons will have access to improved and expanded libraries. Through improved facilities, library programs, and a great selection of print and digital books, we aim to ensure that there is something for everyone at Pueblo’s libraries. We are committed to continually improving library services and facilities in our community,” Executive Director Sherri Baca said.

Donors wishing to support the Building Community Together capital campaign on a more personal level will have the opportunity for naming rights within each branch. Available options include $50,000 for the children’s areas in both libraries to $5,000 for a study room at Barkman library. Those interested in learning more about the campaign can visit www.pueblolibrary.org/BuildingCommunityTogether.

Leading the renovation of Lucero Library 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), lead renovations to the Robert Hoag Rawlings Public Library and to the nearly completed Barkman Library.

Lucero Library renovation plans include:
 

  • Expanded public meeting room
  • Improved front entrance
  • Larger spaces for children, teens
  • New children’s discovery area
  • New Maker Space
  • New audio/visual creative studio
  • Refreshed book collection


An expanded public meeting room and revamped front entrance will increase the branch’s footprint to 10,000 square feet, enhancing the branch’s capacity to grow its services to meet the ever-changing needs of Pueblo’s children, teens, families and adults.


 

Lucero Library will remain closed during the renovations; construction is expected to be completed in 2025. 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.
  • Pueblo West Branch Library, 298 S. Joe Martinez Blvd., Pueblo West
  • Robert Hoag Rawlings Public Library, 100 E. Abriendo Ave.

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.

Barkman Branch Library renovations begin August 1

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.

 

Certificate of Achievement awarded to library district

PUEBLO, Colo. — Pueblo City-County Library District (PCCLD) earned honors from the Government Finance Officers Association for excellence in financial reporting for the sixth year in a row.

PCCLD’s finance department received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its 2021 annual comprehensive financial report. The award is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

Judged by an impartial panel, the report meets the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to communicate the district’s financial story.

Government Finance Officers Association advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources and practical research for more than 21,000 members and the communities they serve.

 

PCCLD Takes Part in Multilingual Survey
The Library & Information Science Program, Morgridge College of Education, University of Denver, is
conducting a research study about reading and leisure practices of multilingual library patrons. The
study is conducted by Dr. Keren Dali (
keren.dali@du.edu).
If you’d like to share your views and experience, we welcome your participation in this anonymous
survey.
 
 
PCCLD Board name new Executive Director
 
PUEBLO, Colo. — The Pueblo Library Board of Trustees named Sherri Baca as the new executive director and librarian for the Pueblo City-County Library District (PCCLD) by a unanimous vote. She takes over the position on October 1 after the retirement of long-time director Jon Walker.
 
Baca has spent seven years with the library district, most recently serving as the associate executive director. She previously served as the district’s chief financial officer and human resources manager. Baca also served as a library trustee. She is the first Hispanic woman to serve in the role. 
 
“This is a dream job for me. I am so happy and thankful to take on this new role and I am excited to work with the library trustees, library employees and our community partners as we work to serve our community. Pueblo loves its public library, we are proud of that relationship and we will work hard to provide exceptional library facilities, materials and programs,” Baca said.
 
Baca holds a master’s degree in library science from the University of Kentucky as well as a master of business administration from Colorado State University Pueblo. She previously served as the executive director for El Pueblo Boys and Girls Ranch and Roselawn Cemetery & Funeral Home.
 
Library board of trustees President Fredrick Quintana said, “The process of selecting PCCLD's next executive director was thorough, ensuring the best effort was made to select a leader who is highly qualified; steadfast and dedicated; committed to the continued success and growth of our libraries and community; a stalwart defender of open access to information and continued education; and who will be a leader committed to engaging with and empowering our amazing PCCLD team members. This board is confident in the selection of Sherri Baca and looks forward to the future of library services in our community. Baca holds a steady but unique vision for the future of our library and an unwavering commitment to the long-term success of our community." 
 
Walker, who retired September 30, served nearly 19 years as the district’s director, beginning shortly after the completion of the Robert Hoag Rawlings Public Library in 2004. During his tenure he oversaw the addition of three new libraries, championed the successful passing of Ballot Measure 6B in 2018, and elevated the library district to achieve state and national recognition. In 2018 alone, the district received the Institute of Museum and Library Services National Medal, was named Colorado Library of the Year and won the Engaging Local Government Leaders Lesley B. Knope award as the Best Public Library in America.
 
A retirement party for Walker will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the Heroes Pavilion at the Pueblo Convention Center, 320 Central Main St. Food, wine, beer and refreshments will be provided. To RSVP, call Rose at (719) 562-5633 or go online to www.pueblolibrary.org/retirementparty by October 21.
 
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.