Denver Public Library
It was June 1889 when the then City Librarian established the public library in one of Denver High School’s wings. The name of the City Librarian then is Joseph Cotton Dana. By the year 1910, the public library acquired its own building; which they called then as their Central Library. This was at the downtown Civic Central Park. This Central Library had a design that was somewhat a revival of Greek architecture. It was a philanthropist named Andrew Carnegie who funded the program. Subsequent to this, Carnegie had also underwritten the construction of the city library’s 1st eight branches from 1913 up to the 1920s.
In the years prior to 1956, the city was more reliant on the actual traveling of trunks of actual books. This was changed when a new structure was commissioned by the city. This was built by the renowned firm called Fisher and Fisher or Burnham Hoyt; in between 14th Street and Broadway.
Hence, during the 1990s, an issuance of bond that amounted to about $91.6 million was approved by about 75% of the voters in Denver. This bond is for an expansion of the Fisher and Fisher or Burnham Hoyt Building.
The succeeding structure was then designed by the famous architect, Michael Graves. He, along with the trusted firm of the renowned Klipp Colussy Jenks DuBois, is the one responsible for the construction of this 540,000 sq ft structure. The Denver Art Museum is adjacent to this newly built property.
Thus, a huge collection about the Western History made the Denver Public Library world renowned. The beginning of this collection would be traced to the then City Librarian Malcom G. Wyer. He supervised the collection and even included 3,700 pieces of manuscript archives, 600,000 photographs; and about 200,000 pamphlets, catalogue books, maps, microfilm titles and atlases. This is along with a good collection of Westernized prints and fine art pieces.
Their Genealogy department also includes a total of 75,000 microform pieces; 60,000 books; and hundreds of newsletter titles, magazines, clippings, charts, manuscripts and atlases. Thus, in the year 1995, the Genealogy and Western History departments merged. They had their own space in the building of the Michael Graves Library. They are now situated on the 5th floor of this building.
The succeeding structure was then designed by the famous architect, Michael Graves. He, along with the trusted firm of the renowned Klipp Colussy Jenks DuBois, is the one responsible for the construction of this 540,000 sq ft structure. The Denver Art Museum is adjacent to this newly built property.
Thus, a huge collection about the Western History made the Denver Public Library world renowned. The beginning of this collection would be traced to the then City Librarian Malcom G. Wyer. He supervised the collection and even included 3,700 pieces of manuscript archives, 600,000 photographs; and about 200,000 pamphlets, catalogue books, maps, microfilm titles and atlases. This is along with a good collection of Westernized prints and fine art pieces.
Their Genealogy department also includes a total of 75,000 microform pieces; 60,000 books; and hundreds of newsletter titles, magazines, clippings, charts, manuscripts and atlases. Thus, in the year 1995, the Genealogy and Western History departments merged. They had their own space in the building of the Michael Graves Library. They are now situated on the 5th floor of this building.