Celebrating the new North Branch Library
04/01/24
The Grand Re-Opening of the
North Branch Summit County Library in Silverthorne
March 24, 2024
10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
The North Branch Library in Silverthorne re-opened its doors on Saturday, after an 18 month closure due to an extensive remodel and expansion project. It is a moment to celebrate “The Next Chapter,” in the story of the Summit County Libraries. To recognize the moment, Summit County Libraries and the Library Foundation invited the community to visit from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. to see the exciting changes and new library spaces.
A ribbon-cutting with County Commissioner, Nina Waters, County Manager Dave Rossi and library staff took place at 10 a.m., followed by speeches next to the new fireplace by former County Commissioner, Josh Blanchard, Library Foundation member Chris Hall and Town of Silverthorne Town Council member and local business owner, Erin Young.
The rest of the day's festivities included live music and special entertainment for families including a storytime, crafts, a cardboard-carnival, button-making and live music with the Ten Mile Bluegrass band. The community was able to see how their improvement requests were translated into designated areas for teens and children, reservable study and meeting rooms, calming colors and comfortable seating.
It was 24 years since the North Branch Library moved to its present location from Silverthorne Town Hall to 651 Center Circle across the parking lot. In August 2000, volunteers and families helped move the library by wheeling everything down the sidewalk using shopping carts. Since that time the needs of the community and library users have changed. Like any well-used and loved community facility, the North Branch was showing signs of wear and the size was too small for that rapidly growing end of the County.
The Capital Campaign was part of a $4.5 million building project to remodel the Main Library in Frisco and the North Branch in Silverthorne. Summit County provided $2.7 million, the 2018 IA ballot Strong Futures provided a further $900,000 and the Summit County Library Foundation fundraised $714,165 from a goal of 1million; no easy feat during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Summit County staff was lucky to work with the talented architects at Vega Architects and StudioTrope along with Himmelman Construction, who brought the vision into reality.
Since 2019, Summit County Libraries have been dedicated to bringing their customer service in line with the standards in equivalently sized Colorado libraries. The remodel has renovated the circulation desk experience; self-check machines have increased the ease with which patrons can check out their materials, and the new RFID tags were placed in all library materials speed up the process.
There are now attractive lounge spaces, including a new fireplace, where library patrons can work alone or sit with others. Additional tables and outlets allow for laptop use, while overlooking the beauty of the Blue River and mountain peaks. The Friends of the Library fundraising group have a bright new bookstore area and the new teen room "Den" is another highlight of the renovation. “We have always welcomed kids to the Library after school and on weekends. We are excited to be able to offer teens their own room with great furniture, access to technology, and a space with their own library collection to study or socialize. We can, at last develop a wider range of teen programs and activities" states North Branch Library manager, Katie Koop.
The staff at the North Branch Library are excited to be able to welcome back patrons to the new space after operating out of a satellite Bluebird Market location. Library Director Stephanie Ralph is thrilled to announce that: “The remodel of the library will be very helpful to our patrons, from the convenient electrical outlets to the bright seating areas and spaces designed for different ages and needs." 
Library staff invite you to come by to enjoy the new space and join in many new programs for all ages. The hours at all 3 Summit County Library locations are 9am-6pm Monday-Thursday, 9am-5pm Friday-Saturday.
Check the Events Calendar for a broad range of FREE programs now available at the North Branch Library.
