On January 5th, Weld Library District opened its newest branch, the Erie Community Library. They opened the library with a big splash including fireworks and great food. Janine Reid, the District’s Executive Director, lead tours explaining the building’s amazing features.
Fireworks and good food aside, the star of the evening was the building itself. As you walk through the doors, you enter an inviting teen area and media collection on one side, and a single service point and children’s collections immediately on the other. The design welcomes you into the library and charms you with their breezy, colorful kite motifs. A kite decorates the attractive store-front stacks, and a HUGE kite makes up the roof of the children’s storytime room, while its tail snakes through ceiling creating a great place for banners and colorful displays.
This is a green building in the best sense of the word. The District spent $145,000 making sure that mechanical, electrical, and water systems perform 33% above the ASHRAE Standard, saving $10,000 in operations per year! A smart investment in the future for Erie’s citizens. The building’s unique features include:
• An under floor air distribution system. The picture below shows a see-through tile revealing the under floor workings
• Day-lighting with photo-sensors
• R30 insulation
• Xeriscape landscaping and drip systems
• Low water plumbing and solar faucets
• Low-emitting materials in paint, carpet, etc.
Janine Reid, Executive Director, spent the last three years working to open this amazing new building. She wrote a time capsule letter. Here’s a brief excerpt: “I hope people find this to be a place of discovery and imagination, as well as life-long learning. I hope this place turns out to be a great equalizer, providing access to everyone. No matter what form the library takes in 50 years, I hope this library remains indispensable and relevant and continues to provide tools for learning, understanding and progress. With love and gratitude, I celebrate the future.”
Janine didn’t do it all alone; she had ample help from the District’s top notch staff, including Jody Hungenberg, Erie’s manger. Jody hopes that “the Erie Community Library will become a destination for everyone in the community.” Make Erie your destination and see Colorado’s new, green library!
Erie Community Library Facts and Figures
• Capacity is over 80,000 items
• Opening day collection will be over 50,000 items
• 20,000 square feet
• 1000 sq ft living room with fireplace
• Drive up book drop
• Children’s activity area and storytime kite
• Outdoor features include a Peace Garden and patio area
• Multi-purpose room to accommodate larger groups
• Mobile laptops
• Express Check machines
• Study room
• Express book collection
• Area designed especially for teens
Valerie Horton, Executive Director, CLIC
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