Photo: ‘Tech Time’ is one of the more popular programs offered at the Library. Photo by Pagosa Photography.
After four long years of tireless fundraising, our Library Foundation raised $3.4 million dollars toward our library capital campaign. This past March, we received the good news from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs that they approved our grant application to the Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund and are awarding us $840,000 in support for our project. So we’re preparing the bid documents. If all goes well, we’ll be on our way to a new library building this summer.
The Ruby Sisson Library has always been a place to explore, share, discover, and dream. But, the time has come for an upgraded and expanded library – one that offers quiet reading spaces and public meeting places, bright and cheery youth areas, and the latest resources and technology for everyone. The current library building was built in 1989. It is time to bring the building into the 21st century.
Katie Dobbins, Executive Director of the Ruby Sisson Library Foundation, would love to speak with you about our Mountains of Opportunity campaign. Please contact Katie at 970-264-2209 or foundation@pagosalibrary.org. Join hundreds of others who have made an investment in building a better future for the Library we all love.
Our current challenges include:
- Limited programming capacity;
- Insufficient space for hands-on learning;
- No dedicated children’s area for early literacy programming.
- No engaged space for teens and tweens;
- Lack of complete ADA compliance and accessibility;
- Constant demand and competition for meeting spaces, both small and large.
Our Proposed Solution:
Your Ruby Sisson Library is the hub of a healthy Pagosa Springs community. The Library building is currently 7,300 square feet. We propose a renovated and expanded building size of approximately 11,000 square feet.
We plan to add:
- 100-seat Library Community Room designed for a variety of options from Library programming to community use;
- Dedicated Children’s Discovery Room for early literacy programming and connected to an outdoor children’s exploration garden;
- Teen Hub for teen and tween education, entertainment, and enjoyment;
- Private Study Pods
- Collaboration Lab for intergenerational, hands-on creating and learning;
- Easy access to self-checkout and item drop off;
- Outdoor Reading Garden that is easily accessible from the Library and from outside.