Denver Public Library 1991767 212613780 2008-05-15T14:58:54Z 207.54.137.62 /* External links */ [[Image:DPL Logo.JPG|right|Denver Public Library Logo]] The '''Denver Public Library''' is the [[public library]] of the city of [[Denver, Colorado|Denver]], [[Colorado]] in the [[United States]]. [[As of 2004]], the library had 2,519,977 items in its collection, and a library card base of 417,616 local residents [http://www.denver.lib.co.us/about/press/facts.html]. In addition to its Central facility, it has 22 branches and a [[bookmobile]] program. ==History== [[Image:Denver Public Library 1.jpg|thumb|left|300px|The building design of [[Michael Graves]] is considered to be an example of [[postmodern architecture]].]] The library was established in June [[1889]] by City Librarian Joseph Cotton Dana in a wing of Denver High School. In [[1910]] the library acquired a building of its own, called the Central Library, a [[Greek revival]] design funded by philanthropist [[Andrew Carnegie]] that was located in [[Civic Center, Denver|Civic Center Park]] in downtown. Between [[1913]] and [[1920]], Carnegie also underwrote construction of the first eight branches of the city library. Previously the city relied on traveling trunks of books. In [[1956]] the city commissioned a new structure that was located on Broadway and 14th street and built by the firm of Fisher and Fisher/Burnham Hoyt. In [[1990]] 75% of Denver voters approved a $91.6 million bond issue to add on to the Fisher and Fisher/Burnham Hoyt building. The 540,000 square foot structure was designed by [[architect]] [[Michael Graves]] and the Denver firm of Klipp Colussy Jenks DuBois and is located adjacent to the [[Denver Art Museum]]. ==Collections== <!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:DPL_Central_Branch.JPG|frame|The central branch of the '''Denver Public Library''', designed by [[Michael Graves]].]] --> The Denver Public Library is world renowned for its [[Western History]] collection which began under the direction of City Librarian [[Malcom G. Wyer]] and includes 600,000 photographs, 3700 manuscript archives, 200,000 cataloged books, pamphlets, atlases, maps, and microfilm titles as well as a collection of Western fine art and prints. The [[Genealogy]] department includes 60,000 books, 75,000 pieces of microform, and hundreds of magazine and newsletter titles, charts, clippings, atlases and manuscripts. The Western History and Genealogy departments merged in 1995 and are located on the fifth floor of the Michael Graves library building. The [[Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library]] serves as an educational and cultural resource for the people of Denver, Colorado, and the world, focusing on the history, literature, art, music, religion, and politics of African Americans in Colorado and throughout the Rocky Mountain West. The Library opened in 2003 and houses a full service branch library, research archives and the Western Legacies Museum, an exhibition space that spans more than 7,000 square feet and includes an African American Leadership Gallery, a replica of the Office of Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb, and rotating exhibits which highlight historical periods, notable individuals and local Denver history. ==External links== [[Image:Big Chair in Denver.jpg|thumb|''"The Yearling"'' by Donald Lipski in front of Denver Public Library]] *[http://denverlibrary.org/ Denver Public Library] **[http://downloadmedia.denverlibrary.org Digital Download site] **[http://kids.denverlibrary.org Kids' site] **[http://teens.denverlibrary.org Teen site] **[http://aarl.denverlibrary.org African American Research Library site] **[http://denverlibrary.org/whg/index.html Western History and Genealogy site] **[http://espanol.denverlibrary.org Spanish Language site] {{coord|39.737343|-104.986783|display=title|type:landmark}} [[Category:Buildings and structures in Denver, Colorado]] [[Category:Culture of Denver, Colorado]] [[Category:Education in Denver, Colorado]] [[Category:Libraries in Colorado]] [[Category:Public libraries in the United States]] [[Category:Michael Graves buildings]] [[Category:Postmodern architecture]] [[Category:Registered Historic Places in Colorado]] [[Category:Carnegie libraries]]