Latest Book and Cultural Hub Greeted by Huge Community Turnout
Rick Langenberg
Divide, Colorado is a well-equipped town that sports a jail, a sheriff headquarters, a spree of county government facilities, several high caliber restaurants, a brewery, and a quality public school; not to mention a place housing hundreds of residents, a scenic park and trophy-level access to recreation and much more.
So why not a local library? This question triggered a staunch search for months by leaders of the Rampart Library District and other key players in the community, who viewed Divide, regarded informally as the “Center of the Known Universe,” as an ideal location for a community library. In fact, if you have a place to lock up inmates and a central spot to navigate county services, you can certainly house hundreds of books.
Well, the quest has ended, at least on a temporary scale, a development celebrated with a huge gathering on Feb. 7 as many residents, community leaders, and reading and movie buffs and visitors partook in the official grand opening of the Divide Public Library. The nearly 1,000 square-foot area, part of the Pikes Peak community building is now an essential member of the Rampart Library District, through a lease agreement with the Ute Pass Historical Society (the building owner).
The pact between the Rampart Library District (which also has facilities in Woodland Park and Florissant) and the Historical Society started informally last October. But now, the library’s new home is official, an event that was praised by residents and community leaders alike at the grand opening with more than 100 people enjoying the festivities
“A public library is a community anchor,” said Tim Miller, the director of the Rampart Library District, when addressing a large crowd at the official grand opening. “Every community needs a library.” On a larger scale, he sees the library as an ideal way to bring people together. And when it comes rural areas, Miller views the function of a public library, which is much different from traditional perceptions as just a place for books, as much more significant.
With the growth occurring in Divide, Miller believed that Divide definitely deserved a library. “We want this to be the greatest library in the “Center of the Known Universe,” quipped Miller, in reference to a community catch phrase often used to define Divide. He said the arrangement with the Historical Society became the catalyst to get the ball rolling.
Eventually, the Rampart District will try to acquire a larger facility for Divide, according to Miller.
But at the recent grand opening celebration, few attendees were complaining about the small size of the current facility. In fact, “quaint, folksy and friendly” were the adjectives thrown out in giving the project a thumbs-up verdict.
Miller expressed much gratitude towards the assistance the library district has received from the Ute Pass Historical Society in making the current space available, and from the many volunteers in making this dream a reality.
Strong Demand for New Library
The Divide facility offers approximately 5,000 items, including books, movies and computer material for library usage.
The demand has been staggering, with an estimated 2,000 to 4,000 items loaned out in the initial months of opening the space as a library, noted Miller. Mysteries and romance books have topped the patron interest, according to Divide library officials. But Miller also touts many of their programs, such as the Wiggle Wednesdays’ story time. In addition, Miller cites their free Wi-Fi and computer services as a big plus. The Rampart district features a whole range of programs and services and many book clubs, which are now available to users of the Divide facility.
“The reaction has been amazing among Divide residents, and we knew it would be,” said Miller. The library district president admits some skeptics from outside the area, but these doubts were quickly put to bed, with the popularity of the grand opening celebration and the initial months of having the facility open to the public as a local library.
And with the facility serving as part of the Rampart Library District, the potential extends way beyond the physical boundaries of the Pikes Peak community building, often just used in the past for political functions. In fact, patrons can actually have access to 1.7 million items, through a program entitled Aspen “Cat” Catalogue. If books or movies aren’t available at the Rampart sites, arrangements can be made for patrons to obtain them. As a result of a growing number of patron-friendly programs, the theme of the Rampart District has become “Something for Everyone.”
For example, as a further outreach effort, the district’s mobile book distribution program almost resembles a literary version of Uber eats.
At the grand opening, the Rampart Library District director strongly stressed the modern-day function of libraries as a community hub, where folks can congregate and hang out.
This connection is really important for people wo live in rural areas, noted Miller. The district president mentioned the COVID epidemic, and the isolation that occurred, as a prime example of the importance of a public, community library.
At the outset, the Divide Library will be open from Monday through Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. These hours are designed to complement the times of the districts two other facilities. For more information, visit the website of the Rampart Library District.
