In 2017, Denver voters passed the Elevate Denver bond to provide dedicated funding for a number of projects, including the expansion of Lowry’s Schlessman Library. Elevate Denver is a 10—year bond fund that factored in 3% annual inflation for those projects. As we have all experienced, though, actual inflation has far outpaced that 3% annual allowance between 2017 and 2024 and so the Elevate Denver projects now find themselves in a budget shortfall.
The City of Denver is allocating some additional funds to make up for the shortfall. The Schlessman Library project has a $1M shortfall and, with the city providing an additional $400K for the project, a $600K shortfall still remains. The Denver Public Library Friends Foundation has reached out to communities to help make up that $600K difference.
You can donate today, Tuesday, December 10th, 2024, through Colorado Gives Day here: https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/dplfriends
Put “Schlessman Library” in the donation screen notes to have your contribution specifically allocated to the Schlessman Library expansion project.
You can donate anytime on the DPL Friends website at http://www.dplfriends.org
Schlessman Library was opened in 2002 and is the second busiest branch in the DPL system, welcoming 150,000 visitors each year! Schlessman offers some important programs, including:
· Memory Café – serving people experiencing dementia and their caregivers
· Little University – providing learning experiences for children ages 0-5
· Community and meeting room space (free!)
· Children’s library
The expansion project includes the following renovations in 2025:
· New large community room
· Larger children’s area
· New small meeting rooms
There are lots of opportunities to get involved as a volunteer with DPL Friends, including events, book sales, and their Read Aloud! Program that promotes pre-school literacy. You can also become a member of DPL friends. For more information, visit http://www.dplfriends.org or follow them on social media:
· https://www.instagram.com/dplfriends/
· https://www.facebook.com/dplfriends
