Several people walking in and out of the library. The Loveland Public Library is marking a major milestone—120 years of enriching our community. Check it out. On a little-known technicality, the library was first established in 1901. But, in 1905, the Loveland Town Board accepted responsibility for funding the library, making it an official Loveland service. The 1905 date is the one that marks this major milestone for our community’s “best-read” resource.
Loveland Library
History at a Glance
The history of the library includes several “stories.”. The original library was run out of the home of Anna Duffield, Loveland’s first librarian. Through local fundraising and a donation from Andrew Carnegie, Loveland’s first dedicated library building opened in 1908. The original building, at the corner of 6th Street and Cleveland Avenue, would serve our community for the next 60 years.
The Carnegie building was replaced with a larger, two-story facility in 1968 but then a “new chapter” began for the library. In September 1987, a new Loveland Public Library building was constructed at 300 N. Adams Ave., in the Civic Center Municipal Complex, east of downtown. It was the first building in the City of Loveland to receive LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council and it’s the current location of the library.
More Than Books
The Loveland Public Library is far from its humble beginnings in borrowed space. It’s “fully booked” with physical and digital collections and also offers eBooks, movies, music, and more. There are also public computers, Wi-Fi, 3D printing, and laptop/hotspot lending. Plus, the library is a key hub for true community connection, supporting a teen hangout, a monthly Veteran Meet Up, and services such as laundry through Homeward Alliance. There’s also study and meeting rooms for community use and programs and events for all ages and stages.
As an effective steward of taxpayer resources, the library relies on the City’s General Fund as its primary source of funding. It supports its budget by applying for and receiving grants when possible. In fact, the library received a sizeable grant from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to develop a Digital Navigator Program, which helps people build skills with digital tools such as cell phones, internet, social media, and more. Additional support for the library comes from the Friends of the Loveland Public Library Foundation.
Celebrating the Milestone
To celebrate 120 years, the library has released a limited-edition library card designed to resemble a vintage library due date card highlighting key dates in the library’s history. If you haven’t stopped by recently, it’s an excellent excuse to make sure your library card is active or request a new card. “Check it out” today! For details about the library, visit lovelandpubliclibrary.org or call 970-962-BOOK (2665).