Foreward
SUMMER 2016
All
Smiles
for our
SUMMER USED
Book Sale
June 22-25
VINYL MAKES A COMEBACK
EXPLORING WESTERN HISTORY
IMPROVING STEM EDUCATION
NEWS FROM THE DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY FRIENDS FOUNDATION
Ensure that your support will live on
Give an ongoing gift to future generations by including the Denver Public Library
Friends Foundation in your estate plans. Making a planned gift provides needed
resources for future library users, and extends the joy you have experienced at the
library to others.
A legacy gift represents your values and creates a lasting impact. You may choose to
designate support for general purposes of the library, or your favorite section or function of the library, such as children’s programming, collections or library staff development. You will feel deeply rewarded by the knowledge that your investment will have
a beneficial impact on our community for years to come.
There are a variety of ways to make a charitable, planned gift. One of the simplest is
to give through your will or living trust. You can also make the library a beneficiary of
your retirement plan or a life insurance policy.
SUMMER
USED BOOK SALE
More than 60,000 books, CDs and movies at bargain prices
New items added daily
Wednesday, June 22—Saturday, June 25
10 a.m.–4 p.m. daily
Denver Central Library, Conference Center
14th and Brodway
Think green!
Please bring your own reusable bags
Got books?
We’ll take ‘em! To keep our book sales and online bookstore
stocked, we are grateful for your donations year-round. We accept rare
and used books, textbooks (three years old and newer), music CDs, DVDs,
BluRay, LPs, records, and computer games on CD, CD-ROM and DVD.
You can drop off up to two boxes at any branch library. If you have
more than two boxes, please bring them to the Central Library; call
720-865-1705 to confirm that we are available to receive them.
For more information, visit dplfriends.org/used_books or call
720-865-1705.
Volunteers always
appreciated
Do you enjoy working with people? Do
you relish the idea of being surrounded
by over 60,000 books? Do you want to
help support the Denver Public Library?
If you’ve got a few hours on your hands,
please consider volunteering for our
Summer Used Book Sale, scheduled for
June 22–25. We have shifts available
for everything from cashiers to book
restockers to directional ambassadors.
And besides the 25 percent discount
we offer to volunteers during the sale,
you will also receive free parking, free
refreshments, and the good feeling that
comes from giving back to your library.
This year’s sale will be indoors in the Central Library Conference Center so there’s
no worry of rain, thunder or excessive
heat!
The annual sale is one of the Foundation’s most anticipated events and draws
thousands of shoppers each summer. All
of the proceeds benefit the library and
last year’s sale raised more than $45,000
that will directly benefit future collections, programs and services.
For more information, visit
dplfriends.org/volunteer or call
720-865-1705.
If you have already made a legacy gift, please let us know; if you intend to make a
planned gift or have any questions, please call 720-865-3453 so we can provide more
information.
GRIMM
nooooop
INTO THE DEEP
DARK WOODS
Step into an enchanted world where your very presence enriches
not only yourself, but your community as well.
You are hereby cordially invited to the
BOOKLOVERS BALL
Saturday, October Fifteen, Two Thousand-sixteen
Cocktails at six thirty in the evening
Dinner and dancing to follow
Denver Central Library
13th Avenue and Broadway
Black tie. No speeches. No auctions. Just fun among friends.
Watch the mail for your formal invitation.
Thanks to Phyllis Dick
We are grateful to Phyllis Dick, who left
a generous bequest to the Denver Public
Library upon her passing. As her niece
Antoinette Jackson said, “The Denver
Public Library played a very important
part in Phyllis’ life. She loved books and
she loved knowledge. She was like a
walking encyclopedia and I know that
books helped get her through the many
tough times in her life.”
Rare & unique
books in our new
online book shop
The Friends Foundation is excited to
announce the opening of our online
book shop. Check out our wide variety
of inventory and stock up on your
favorites, all while supporting the Friends
Foundation and the library.
We’ll still hold our annual sales at the
Central Library, and we’re excited to
offer some of our more unique items
to a worldwide market. Our inventory
changes daily, so check our site
frequently and let us know what you
think. All proceeds benefit the Denver
Public Library. Find the link on our
website: dplfriends.org. Check back
frequently as we add new titles every
week!
Going old school
New Council for
Western History and
Genealogy advocates
for the West
Denver music scene goes retro with release of classic vinyl
A year and a half after the Denver Public
Library launched its new local music
service, VolumeDenver.org, staff and customers alike celebrated its next evolution
with a decidedly old-school promotion:
a vinyl record. The limited-edition record
was released at a launch party at the HiDive on South Broadway in March.
Producing an album has become a group
effort, involving staff from around the
library system. “We repurposed old duedate cards and envelopes for a retro look
and even had our ideaLAB makerspace
create adaptors on their 3D printer. It
was a lot of work and a pure joy to produce,” said Wilkinson.
The Volume record showcases two Denver artists: Indie rock band, Accordion
Crimes, and “dark pop” band, The Raven
and the Writing Desk. Accordion Crimes
is featured on the Volume website with
their album “Songs to Drive Wives Away,”
while The Raven and the Writing Desk
are a new addition to the music service.
Pressing an album in today’s digital
world is a bit of a challenge as only a
few traditional record companies still
produce discs. Those that are have been
deluged with requests for new projects
as traditional vinyl is making a comeback
in Millennial circles. In 2015, online retailer Amazon sold more turntables than
any audio product during the holidays—a
sure resurgence of an almost extinct
audio category.
“I’m hoping the album inspires interest
in our music service, VolumeDenver.org,
and also creates an artifact that stands
out as something cool and unexpected
from the library. The library supports the
Denver music scene, and we’re willing
to try some new things to show it,” said
Dave Wilkinson, a library staffer leading
the project.
The Vinyl project is part of the library’s
Risky Business program which provides
staff an opportunity to try innovative
ideas on a small scale. Staff members
pitch their ideas to library administrators
Few things in the world are as unmistakable as the American West. From its
roots as the home of Native American
tribes to the Gold Rush of the 1800s to
the cultural megaplex of Denver, the
American West is iconic and loved for
its expansive beauty, rich history and
bountiful future.
who look for ideas that move the library’s
mission and objectives outward into the
community. “Through a competitive process, staff ideas go through rapid innovation and the winning idea, along with
a small budget, gets implemented as a
prototype,” said Diane Lapierre, director
of Community Relations. Past ideas have
included the library’s mobile book bike
and a traveling Colorado history exhibit.
City Librarian Michelle Jeske and library staffer
Dave Wilkinson show off the new vinyl album at
a release party in March at the Hi-Dive Bar on
Broadway.
To heighten the work of the library and
the Western History and Genealogy
Department, a group of Western historyloving friends joined to create the Council
for Western History and Genealogy. The
group began meeting in December and
has since raised almost $40,000 to benefit the collections, services and research
of the department.
“This is an incredible group of spirited
supporters who embrace the work we
do and are committed to expanding our
standing and stature in the community,”
said Manager Jim Kroll. “The Council’s
combined knowledge and enthusiasm will help generate interest in our
resources and collections for years to
come.”
Unmistakably
West
Are you a fan of the West?
As a member of the Council, you
will join with other Western and
genealogy enthusiasts who wish to be
identified with the work of this great
department. With your help, we will
build a stimulating forum and support
network, including lively periodic
programs and events, and regular
communication about the activities
and collections at the library.
Council support enables the library
to augment its limited funding
to preserve its materials, acquire
an important work or collection
when it becomes available, or
assist in specialized programmatic
activities. Visit dplfriends.org or call
720-865-3453 for more information.
Speeding
things up
Independent network creates
faster internet for customers
Improving STEM
education for Denver kids
Technology is a great tool for developing
young minds which is why the Denver
Public Library’s teen and family makerspace—the ideaLAB at the Central
Library—is so important for science,
technology, engineering and math (STEM)
education. SM Energy agrees and in
March gave $100,000 to the library to
fund education and makerspace programs at the Central library and two
branch locations.
As a thank you, the library has renamed
the space at the Central Library the SM
Energy ideaLAB.
The partnership extends beyond the Central Library as similar digital makerspaces
are being designed and built at both the
Hadley and Montbello Branch Libraries.
The spaces allow kids to learn the basics
of science, technology, engineering and
math skills through sophisticated and
professional equipment and training.
“We’re honored SM Energy has chosen
us to help ensure kids have access to the
digital spaces and experiences they need
to be successful in school and in professional careers. Our staff is passionate
about inspiring kids for careers in STEM
and beyond by giving them access to the
tools and people they need to prosper,”
said City Librarian Michelle Jeske.
The energy company has a long tradition
of sponsoring programs at the library. In
2015, SM Energy supported the library’s
Summer of Reading program. This year,
the company wanted to make a bigger
impact by sponsoring the digital makerspaces at three branch locations. The
$100,000 pledge will be leveraged to
raise even more funds to support the
expansion of programs at the Hadley and
Montbello branches, furthering the reach
of digital education across the city.
“At SM Energy, we have a long-standing
commitment to give back to the communities where we live, work and operate.
Our employees not only invest in communities financially, but also invest their
time as volunteers,” said Jay Ottoson,
SM Energy President and CEO. “Denver
has been home to SM Energy for 50
years and it’s an honor for us to partner with the Denver Public Library. SM
Energy is one of the many companies
in our industry that give back to the
communities that we call home, and the
SM Energy ideaLAB is just one example
of our continued support of the Denver
community.”
In order to provide faster, more reliable Internet to Denver Public Library
customers and take full advantage of
substantial federal discounts offered
to libraries for Internet provision,
the library’s Information Technology
department, working in conjunction
with the City and County of Denver’s
Technology Services department, created a new independent network for
the library and replaced the library’s
phone system this year.
“In the most basic terms, the new independent network allows us to serve
our customers better than ever,” said
City Librarian Michelle Jeske. “Creating
our own network more than doubled
our internet capacity and allows us to
move forward with planned expansions of our WiFi network and digital
library services.”
Free Internet access remains one of
the library’s most sought after services. The library has more than 1,000
public access computers and serves
over one million customers via inlibrary computers and 3.5 million via
public WiFi. In 2015, library customers
spent more than 670,439 hours on
public computers.
“Providing free access to informational resources is at the heart of
what we do,” said Jeske. “Whether
searching for jobs, writing an email to
a family member or downloading an
eBook, our reliance on fast, dependable Internet access is paramount
to what we do. Customers certainly
noticed a difference in speed after the
changeover to the new system. Our
customers look to us for this free resource and deserve access that meets
current technology standards.”
2015-2016 Board of Trustees
Officers
President: Gay Cook, Community
Volunteer
Vice President: Pam Jewett, Colorado
Contract Cut and Sew
Secretary: Liz Oertle, Oertle Law, LLC
Treasurer: Matt Hanson, Mutual of
Omaha Bank
Past President: Cathy Schwartz,
Waddell & Reed
Trustees
Amy Brimah, Brimah Law
Priya Burkett, Xcel Energy
Melvin Bush, IDP
Jack Finlaw, University of Colorado
Foundation
Rick Garcia, Former City Councilman
Kevin Gile, Anton Collins Mitchell
Liz Hinde, MSU Denver
Heather Hope, TalenTrust
Judith Judd, Community Volunteer
Jill Nelson, Fairacres Manor, Inc.
Joe Nimmons, BBVA Compass Bank
Bob Sarlo, Interlock Construction
Laurie Smith, Community Volunteer
Susie Willson, Community Volunteer
Sid Wilson, A Private Guide
Friends Foundation Staff
Director: Diane Lapierre
Asst. Director: Laurie Romer
Development Manager: Michele Bishop
Accounting Manager: Melinda Lloyd
Used Book Coordinator: Gretchen
Roberts
Database Specialist: Michelle Chrusciel
Staff Assistant: Andrea Hamilton
The Denver Public Library Friends
Foundation enriches our community
by building support and raising money
to enhance the library’s programs and
services.
Library welcomes 50 new
citizens during annual
naturalization ceremony
On a slightly overcast April day, Dr. Birtukan Abebe Derseh left her Denver home
just after 7 a.m. She wanted to make certain to arrive at the Denver Central Library
early enough to sit in the front row at the Naturalization Ceremony where she would
become a U.S. citizen.
Along with 49 others from 30 different countries, from Bhutan to Germany, the native
of Ethiopia raised her right hand and promised to abide by the laws of this country.
Addressing the audience, Library Commission President Taylor Kirkpatrick, said, “You
have studied hard to get here and you have earned the right to citizenship. The library
is a place of opportunity. We welcome you.”
In an emotional ceremony that brings many to tears, Dr. Derseh pledged allegiance to
the United States of America.
“I am very happy,” she said, smiling and proudly holding her Certificate of Citizenship.
“This is an important day.”
The library hosts the Naturalization Ceremony annually and is produced by the
Services to New Immigrants and Refugees program. The group hosts events
throughout the year to help new immigrants acclimate to life in the U.S. and even helps
them prepare for the Citizenship Test required of all applicants.
Ceremonies are held at libraries, because of a partnership between the U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services Office and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
IMLS found that more than 55 percent of people who immigrated to the United States
within the last 15 years use the public library at least once a week. The library’s Plaza
programs provide a free and welcoming space for new citizens to meet, practice English skills and connect with resources that help them be successful U.S. citizens.
10 West 14th Ave. Parkway
Denver, Colorado 80204
Make new friends at the
FRIENDS
FAMILY
SOCIAL
SOCIAL
SATURDAY, JULY 23
5:30–7:30 P.M.
Nonprofit Org.
US Postage
PAID
Denver, CO
Permit No.
1701
Help us launch the new Friends Family
Membership Campaign at the Friends Family
Social, a spirited evening of activity at the Sam
Gary Branch Library in Stapleton. Adults can
experience the library after hours with wine
and book pairings, while kids enjoy a sampling
of library programs including crafts, Storytime,
music and more! Snacks and beverages included.
Tickets: $75 per family of four, includes a one-year
Friends Family Membership. Additional family
members: $10; current Friends members: $50.
Purchase at dplfriends.org