The Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library has reopened to the public for the first time since it closed for renovations in May 2022. The reopening was held on Monday, Aug. 7, and the venue is celebrating its 20th-anniversary year.
The location, 2401 Welton St, Denver, CO 80205, opens with extended hours thanks to funding from Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the Denver Public Library (DPL) Fund. The hours of operation are on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A community celebration commemorating the 20th anniversary of the branch and the grand reopening, included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, refreshments, entertainment, and programming, all held on Aug. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Opened in 2003, this is the first renovation of the building and is part of the Elevate Denver Bond that was passed by voters in 2017. With the new opening, visitors can now see the following improvements that were made with the $3.7 million budget: a redesigned first floor featuring an open floor plan, a new teen space, new study rooms, a relocated circulation desk and new book drop, refreshed community meeting rooms, and more.
Cosmetic improvements on the second and third floors of the building were also made thanks to funding from Strong Library, Strong Denver, supported by the DPL Fund.
“For twenty years the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library has been an invaluable resource to all those who visit, and we’re excited to see it grow and continue to tell its story,” said Michelle Jeske, city librarian. “We welcome everyone to visit to really get a sense of how special a space like this is.”
The location serves as a full-service branch library, houses collection archives and a research library, and has a museum dedicated to Denver’s African American community. The library is one of five African American Research libraries that is part of a public library system in the United States.
The reopening marks a significant milestone in the preservation and celebration of the rich history that Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library brings to the Five Points neighborhood.
To learn more about Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, visit history.denverlibrary.org/about-blair.
