Jefferson County Public Library would like to thank you for your continued support of the Arvada Library. Some of you have been with us for a long time. The first discussion about building a new library that would meet the needs of a growing Arvada community began in 1999. Some of you joined the process in 2001, when the Library created a Citizens Advisory Committee to help with site selection. Most of you were with us as we broke ground for the new Arvada Library on June 15, 2005. And all of you have remained patient and understanding throughout the 13-month construction project.

The Arvada Library opened its doors on Sept. 16 to much celebration and fanfare with more than 3,200 community members, neighbors and library patrons helping us celebrate. The following day, more than 1,600 people explored the new library, and the number of visitors coming to the library each day remains high.

Large public library projects rarely happen these days without partnerships. And the Arvada Library project was no different. Without the important partnership forged between the Library, the City of Arvada, Jefferson County Board of Commissioners and the Arvada Urban Renewal Authority, the library would still be a rendering on a drawing board. Thankfully, these organizations clearly understood what a new library would mean for the adults, children, teens, grandparents and business people who until now did not have the same resources as offered elsewhere in the county.

All that changed on Sept. 16. Southern Arvada has the largest full-service library in Jefferson County. The Arvada Library offers a wide array of amenities and expanded library services. At 34,172 sq. ft., the library is more than three times larger than the former facility. It has two study rooms, a quiet reading room, a public meeting room for up to 55 people, special kids and teen areas, an Internet café, 60 percent more computers than the former Arvada Library and free wireless Internet access. The library also offers many conveniences, such as RFID self check-out, drive-up and walk-up book drops, and a concierge desk where staff members are ready to help you find just what you need.

A new parking lot, built by the City of Arvada, opened two days before the grand opening festivities. The new parking lot, located at the corner of W. 57th Avenue and Webster Street, has 103 spaces for use by library and Olde Town patrons and St. Anne’s Parish. Additionally, there are more than 450 available parking spaces within easy walking distance of the library.

Although the Arvada Update will no longer be used to share news about our newest library, we hope you will sign up for the Library's newsletter through eNews or in hard copy so you can continue to discover all that Jefferson County Public Library offers at the Arvada Library and our nine other libraries. https://www.formsite.com/jcplforms/enews/secure_index.html.

Construction of a new Arvada Library is underway at W. 57th Avenue and Webster Street in the historic downtown area of Olde Town Arvada.

The concept for a new library in Olde Town surfaced in 1999. The City of Arvada viewed the idea as a potential cornerstone in the downtown area’s redevelopment, and Jefferson County Public Library recognized a new and larger library could also address the needs of a growing Arvada population.

Three years ago, an Arvada Citizen’s Advisory Committee provided valuable input on a new library, and planning began.

Funding for the library and renovation to Olde Town Square will come from Jefferson County Public Library, the City of Arvada, the Arvada Urban Renewal Authority and Jefferson County.

The building’s design blends an Olde Town-area feel with fresh, attractive attributes that allow for an exciting and flexible community space.

The library will feature two stories for public use and a basement for staff work and processing.

The interior will emphasize comfort and convenience and include: a meeting room for community gatherings, a drive-up book drop, two study rooms, wireless Internet access, a large children’s area, adult and teen reading areas and a large number of computers for customer use.

The Arvada Library has been housed in a city facility a half-mile west of the new location since 1966. That facility is the smallest full-service library in the county and lacks service features of a modern suburban library.