Bibliotecas del condado de Douglas

El sistema de bibliotecas públicas del condado de Douglas, creado en 1966, presta servicio al condado de Douglas , Colorado , Estados Unidos. Actualmente cuenta con siete sucursales que atienden a una población total de aproximadamente 300 000 habitantes y ofrece una variedad de servicios bibliotecarios, así como archivos públicos locales para el condado y servicios educativos. El sistema de bibliotecas también se ha asociado con el sistema de Parques y Vida Silvestre de Colorado para ofrecer pases para parques estatales que se pueden obtener con la tarjeta de la biblioteca.

Las Bibliotecas del Condado de Douglas se establecieron en noviembre de 1966, cuando la Junta de Comisionados del Condado de Douglas asignó $5,000 para las operaciones de la biblioteca para el año siguiente. ^{[ 1 ]} El filántropo Philip S. Miller y su esposa, Jerri, donaron $25,000 para la construcción de la biblioteca en mayo de 1967. ^{[ 2 ]} La biblioteca abrió en un espacio temporal en 311 Third St, Castle Rock, Colorado en agosto de 1967. ^{[ 3 ]} El 2 de mayo de 1969, la biblioteca se mudó a una ubicación más permanente en 303 N. Gilbert Street en Castle Rock. ^{[ 4 ]}

La primera biblioteca pública de Parker, Colorado, abrió sus puertas en un pequeño edificio, que ya no existe, en el lado norte de Main Street. El difunto Charles O'Brien alquiló generosamente el edificio al personal voluntario de la biblioteca por 1 dólar. ^{[ 5 ]} Cuando un incendio dañó el edificio que albergaba la biblioteca pública de Parker, esta se trasladó al sótano de la Iglesia Metodista Episcopal Ruth Memorial ; entonces pasó a formar parte oficialmente del Sistema de Bibliotecas Públicas del Condado de Douglas.

En junio de 1980, la Junta de la Biblioteca anunció planes para cambiar el nombre de la Biblioteca Castle Rock en honor a Philip S. Miller. ^{[ 6 ]} La inauguración formal tuvo lugar el 8 de agosto de 1980.

La sucursal de Parker se trasladó a la calle East Main número 19801, y el 7 de junio de 1985 se celebró una ceremonia de inauguración.

En marzo de 1990, los votantes crearon el Distrito de la Biblioteca Pública del Condado de Douglas, estableciendo un distrito fiscal independiente para financiar las operaciones de la biblioteca. En noviembre de 1990, los usuarios pudieron conectarse a la biblioteca mediante módems para consultar el catálogo electrónico. Para 1991, ya podían reservar libros a través de sus computadoras o módems domésticos.

En 1992, las bibliotecas del condado de Douglas se convirtieron en la primera biblioteca pública de Dynix en Colorado en conectarse a Internet .

Philip S. Miller died at age 99 in June 1995. The library district receives approximately $150,000 per year from its 10% share of the Miller Charitable Trust Fund. Also in 1995, the library district purchased Crossroads Lane Bowling Alley in Parker, which became the new Parker Library on December 16, 1995.^[7]

Douglas County Libraries launched its website in 1996.^[8]

The ability to notify patrons of holds and overdue notices by email was introduced in 1998. The Lone Tree Library opened on October 24, 1998,^[9] replacing an older branch library called Oakes Mill.

On July 15, 2000, the Highlands Ranch Library opened at 9292 Ridgeline Blvd in Highlands Ranch.^[10] The branch had been previously located in a retail space near Broadway and Plaza Drive.

In 2003, Douglas County Libraries received a branding redesign complete with new logo and website. In September 2003, the Philip S Miller Library moved to a new facility (100 S Wilcox Street, Castle Rock).^[11]

Douglas County Libraries became the third-largest library system in Colorado in 2007 and was ranked second in Colorado for circulation. Douglas County Libraries was awarded the 2007 John Cotton Dana Award, the American Library Association's "most prestigious award" that honors outstanding library public relations. The library district was recognized for the promotion of the Page to Stage Productions literary theater tour.

In 2008, Douglas County Libraries, in partnership with Douglas County School District RE-1, offered the first GED testing opportunities in the county. By the end of the year, 73 students had passed the GED.

In 2016 and through 2017, Douglas County Libraries expanded the Parker, Castle Pines and Lone Tree libraries, making them bigger and more modern to cope with higher numbers in circulation.

• Castle Rock - Philip S. Miller
• Castle Pines
• Lone Tree
• Louviers
• Highlands Ranch
• Parker
• Roxborough^[12]

Douglas County Libraries has a stated mission of elevating the community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery, and connection.^[13] All of its services tie back to its mission.

Bark for Books allows school-age children to improve their literacy skills by reading to a dog from Intermountain Therapy Animals.

Cuddle Up and Read, Douglas County Libraries provides books on parenting information and an application for a special baby library card to parents of newborns.

Adult Learning Center offers free GED preparation and live-online tutors to help prepare for the test. Citizenship Classes are offered twice a year to prepare candidates for the US Citizenship interview.

Douglas County Library participates in the Check Out Colorado State Parks program, offering state park passes and a kit that includes a backpack, binoculars, information about the parks, and field guides for education and exploration to library users. This program is available to Colorado libraries through a partnership between the Colorado State Library and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Parks passes can be used at any of Colorado's state parks. ^[14]

Douglas County Libraries Archives & Local History collects and preserves the history of Douglas County and assists the public with Douglas County history, Colorado history, and genealogy topics.

Douglas County Libraries is also a member of the Prospector Alliance, in partnership with other libraries throughout Colorado as well as Wyoming.

• http://www.dcl.org/