Executive Director

The Space to Be

April 5, 2024

2023 was another exciting year for Poudre Libraries, and I'm extremely proud of what we accomplished and the innovative ways we served our community. Our 2023 Report to the Community highlights the many ways your Library is a vibrant and essential center of learning, inspiration, and engagement. We continue to see an increase in library visits, materials being borrowed, program attendance, and technology access.

You may have noticed that we rebranded our library to reflect the exciting community hub we have become for residents in Fort Collins and northern Colorado: the space to be. Our new image not only gave us a fresh and colorful new look but has transformed the way in which we develop library programs and services. Our libraries are buzzing with renewed energy.

In April 2023, we launched our electric mobile library, Evie, the first of its kind in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. Our community's needs have changed over the years so we are adjusting how we serve you. We're not only getting out and about with Evie, but are finding other ways - such as our Mobile Summer Library collaboration - to bring staff, programs, and resources directly into neighborhoods.

These exciting projects stem from our 2023-2025 Strategic Plan and what we learned from community conversations. The plan focuses on creating welcoming spaces, improving the customer experience in the Library's physical and digital spaces, and expanding where people connect with us. It also highlights the impact we deliver through intentional partnerships and dynamic services.

We have big plans for our future! In 2024, the Library will continue to develop into "the space to be" for the entire community. We are eager to work with you to envision the new Southeast Community Center, a joint project with the City of Fort Collins that will include a new library, recreation and aquatic facilities, and an innovation space. This project reflects our commitment to working strategically with partners to best serve community needs.

I also look forward to broadening our work internally and externally around equity, diversity, and inclusion. We strive to create welcoming and inclusive spaces where everyone feels a sense of belonging and sees themselves positively reflected in library services, programs, and collections. This work extends to our own internal culture and the way we show up and support each other as colleagues every day.

Poudre Libraries is fortunate to have passionate staff, loyal customers, and committed volunteers, partners, and funders to help us do our essential work. We are in a wonderful position to continue to engage and uplift our community for the future.

I look forward to seeing you at the Library.

Monthly Director's Report to the Library Board of Trustees

2024
March (PDF format/264K)
February (PDF format/314K)
January (PDF format/213K)

Reports from Previous Years
2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008