Page 5 - FEB 2019 proof 4 - The Castle Pines Connection

Municipal News5
Douglas County Libraries - Castle Pines: A story of community
By Susan Helton; le photos
The support and generosity of the Castle Pines community brought the library from a small bookmobile to an improved storefront facility to the magni cent state-of-the-art center the community currently enjoys. Along the way, to celebrate the forthcoming structure, a temporary “Little Free Library” for swapping books graced the property where the new library would stand.
The past decade has brought many changes
to the Castle Pines community, lled with remarkable accomplishments. This is perhaps nowhere more evident than the story of Douglas County Libraries – Castle Pines.
In January 2009, prospects looked bleak for
a library in Castle Pines. The aging, ailing bookmobile that had served so well for almost ve years was scheduled for retirement, and the Douglas County Libraries (DCL) funding initiative had su ered a second disappointing defeat in as many years.
Undaunted, volunteers sought other ways to make the library a reality, promising to “keep a good thing going.” Over the course of the next ten years, the Castle Pines community rallied to bring it to fruition.
In spring 2009, DCL decided on a storefront version of the library in a
space the owners of the Village Square Commercial District provided at a signi cantly reduced rate. For start-up costs and to equip the new library, DCL earmarked funds that had been set aside from the 2005 sale of library-owned land in Castle Pines. But more money was needed.
Community organizations and volunteers, the DCL Foundation and area businesses worked countless hours at fundraising activities ranging from an authors’ reception, to book sales/swaps, pancake breakfast and Girl Scout bake sale during a swim meet between the local swim teams. These e orts, and the generosity of area residents and business owners, meant
the 2,300-square-foot Douglas County Libraries – Castle Pines library opened in September 2009 with more than double the number of items o ered for checkout, as
well as features and amenities impossible in the small bookmobile.
In subsequent years, area businesses and volunteers rallied time and again to help the library. With partnerships and donations, pancake breakfasts and restaurant nights, the “sponsor the library for a day” and scrip card programs, lemonade stands and school spare change drives, the community kept the library going and funded improvements.
Most recently, on land the City donated,
the community’s generosity made possible today’s freestanding, permanent library. This state-of-the-art, 13,000-square-foot library boasts expanded collections, outdoor patios, laptop borrowing, a drive-through book drop, community activities rooms and space for City o ces.
The exceptional Castle Pines community enabled the library’s transformation
and continues its support today. For information about ways to support the library, visit www.dcl.org. Scroll down to the bottom right, click “Foundation,” then click “Other Ways to Give.”
Then
... AND NOW:
County of cials sworn in
Information and photo provided by Douglas County
On Tuesday, January 8, Douglas County o cials took the oath of o ce at the
Philip S. Miller building in Castle Rock. Witnessed by family, friends, supporters and County employees, newly sworn-in o cials included (left to right): Robert Snodgrass, surveyor; Merlin Klotz, clerk and recorder; Lisa Frizell, assessor; David Gill, treasurer; Jill Romann, coroner; Tony Spurlock, sheri ; and Abe Laydon, county commissioner, district I.