The Westminster Public Library is coupled with the FRCC Westminster campus, separated only by a staircase. Upstairs is the student section, where you can find medical textbooks, historical textbooks, work areas, and computers open to those with a student ID.
Downstairs is the public library, where art is showcased and judged. Retired books, DVD’s, and audio books are for sale (cash only) near the checkout and restroom area. A children’s room houses a small playground and an assortment of children’s books. There’s also a section of books that have been published in Spanish.
The library also has an expansive DVD and a proud video game collection, available for borrow with a library card. It doesn’t cost anything, you may borrow a book, movie, comic, or DVD for two weeks before you return for others to use. They also have an archive center, where you can access records from the past.
Libraries offer resources to their communities beyond media collection. For instance, the Denver Tool Library offers a collection of tools like hand saws, bolt cutters, and power drills available for borrow (after a deposit of $100 a year). The Library of Things also offers sewing machine repair and borrow, chromebook and Wifi Hotspots. You can also borrow State Parks Passes for a carload of people at one of the 42 state parks.
The Westminster Public Library offers passes for various spots such as the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Botanic Gardens, the Denver Museum of Dolls and Miniatures, and many more. However, you will need to read the instructions and stipulations.
Public libraries also participate in E-Book and audiobook rental apps like Hoopla, Kanopy, and Libby. A library card and a phone or computer is all that is required to borrow a e-book, music, movies, or comics.
Some libraries, like the Library of Aurora and Boulder Library offer what’s known as a Seed Library. You may borrow and grow seeds such as lettuce, tomato, peas, and beans. They also offer gardening classes on beginner gardening and planting pollinator friendly based gardens.
The Westminster Public Library can also offer invaluable classes such as the Citizenship Class, which helps teach patrons about the Citizenship process and help practice for the Citizenship test. They also offer Tech Help classes to learn about the ever changing technologies in our world. Spanish and English conversation classes are available for those wishing to learn and practice the languages with speakers.
Hobby Heaven offers a place for knitters, cross stitchers, and crocheters, a place to practice as a group.
They also have a myriad of upcoming events and classes for folks of all sorts.
Libraries are some of the only spaces in the United States in which you do not need to pay to be there or pay to use their services. It is the only third space we have left, the place that isn’t school or work or home.
A third place is a space that is neither your workplace nor your home, it’s a space where you could potentially spend your free time. A third place could be a park, a club, a movie theater, or a café. Libraries are a place where you can read a book or comic, work on a computer or watch a movie on a previously mentioned library app or site, or interact with classes and clubs is a quiet environment. While it is possible to read books and such in your own home or a friend’s home, libraries offer a community building where you can meet new people outside of your own social circles.
It’s a strong community resource, a place of education, and a place for those with lesser means to be able to participate or borrow luxuries such as books, comics, video games, and movies. With community input, libraries are also able to add classes and programs to help the people around them.
However, libraries are their community, and without support they will be forced to close and the communities will lose access to vital resources.
Please support your local libraries, donate or volunteer if you can, and be sure to drop by if you have the time.
