Nederland Area to Get a New Library
We're Building a Library and it's Underway!
On May 22, under beautiful Colorado skies, members of the Nederland library community, of all ages, gathered to break ground for the new library. Many brought their own shovels, and all enjoyed the refreshments and entertainment. The 1.2 million dollar, 4,500 square foot building is scheduled for completion in early 2011.
Working with Wember Associates, Oz Architecture, and Fransen Pittman Construction, representatives from the District and Foundation boards and members of the community met weekly for over a year to design, budget and plan for the new library.
Watch this website for current construction information and pictures. Or, if you're in town, drive by and take a look.
Soon the community will have the library it voted for, one that will stand as an example of what the community believes in.
About the New Library
The Site
The new library will be on Colorado 72, between the highway and Third Street, west of the roundabout. The Town of Nederland vacated an unused street and the Library Foundation purchased an adjoining lot, making a flat, sunny, L-shaped site with North Beaver Creek running through it. The walkway will be a part of the Town's trail system. The site is close to Nederland businesses, the Community Center and the RTD Park and Ride.
Space
Our current library space of 1,800 square feet will more than double to about 4,400 square feet. This will enable us to better meet the needs of our 3000+ cardholders and the community at large with more space for personal reading and library programs. The library will have a private meeting space for other community groups. We will be able to more than double our collection of books and periodicals plus add more computers for public use.
Features
Sustainability is important to our community, and it was a primary focus in designing the new library. The new library will include many sustainable design features, such as taking advantage of our sunny days to our advantage with south-facing glass for passive solar warming. The engineers say that the new library will qualify for at least a silver LEED rating if we choose to apply for it. For now, we have decided that the $35,000 required for certification willl be better spent on books, computers, and programs. Click here to view a sustainability outline for the new library.
The library will be a pleasant place to visit with a deck overlooking the creek, a small outdoor seating area by the creek, a covered walkway, and a bridge over the creek. The interior of the new library will include an entryway, large windows on the south side of the building overlooking the creek, and a multipurpose room. The multipurpose room, which will be separated from the library itself by a double- sided fireplace, will be available to the public for meetings and events, and for library programs or to provide a quiet reading area for patrons.
Design
The District and Foundation hired Wember Associates as our owner's representative, and OZ Architecture of Boulder, who created the preliminary plans, will design the new library. We chose OZ because of their extensive experience in building libraries, especially in Colorado. The building will be designed for long-term sustainability and with the expectation that it will meet the needs of the community for the next 25 years. Click here to download the finalized design, floorplan and building materials (Adobe PDF).
Timetable
The new library is scheduled for completion in early 2011. Watch this space for information about the grand opening.
History
For years the idea of a local library was talked about and explored by Nederland area residents who had to travel 20 miles to the nearest public library.
In October 2000, after positive feedback from a community survey and a Town Board Resolution creating a Nederland Community Library, volunteers formed a Library Board with officers and by-laws. The library opened in April 2001 in one room in the old town community center staffed by a half-time professional library director and volunteers. Shelves were stocked with donated books, and we offered Internet access. The Nederland Library Foundation was created at the same time as a non-profit, charitable organization whose mission is to provide access to information and library services to all residents and visitors of the Nederland mountain area, to encourage reading, to foster learning, and to promote an educated community. We receive funding through private donations, grants, used book sales, and by sponsoring local events.
The following year, residents within a five mile radius of the center of Nederland, voted to create and fund the current Nederland Community Library District through a property mill levy.
In 2003, the District Board hired a full-time library director. Volunteers continued to staff the library, and the library hours were expanded. The library programs flourished.
In 2003 a snowstorm collapsed the main roof of the community center building and the library was forced to move to another area of the community center.
In February 2006, in order to accommodate an increase in patrons and an expanding book collection, the library moved to its' current location in the Caribou Shopping Center.
How can I contribute to the new library?
Monetary contributions are always welcome, but if you would like to participate directly in this project, contact us at nlf@nednet.net