Denver Public Library

Free Movies, $ 1 popcorn and Classic Films — how can you go wrong. Yes the library has more than just books. They also have events and fun happening throughout the year. We do the Beautiful Monsters Film series every year — so I do hope they keep that tradition going. We’ve attended other film series as well. Come down and check them out.

My issue with the Central Denver Pubic Library is not exactly the Library itself. Its beautiful and huge and has everything you could possibly need. The staff has always been superb and very friendly if you need any help. It is a beautiful library and I so wish I could give it more stars, however. I came here on a Monday after work to study for an exam. I live in Capitol Hill and I am completely aware of and not in anyway bothered by the homeless population. Other times I have run in to get a book on hold I have also noticed a large number of homeless hanging out. Great, no big deal, truly. However, on this day I went to go study I walked around the 4 floors of the library to find a quiet nook to study for almost an hour. Every single, and I mean EVERY single table was occupied by a homeless person, bag and all. They were in the corners snoring as loud as possible, grouping over tables and talking and laughing. I finally nestled down to a table that circles the inside portion of the library and put in my ear phones. The table was covered in grime and sticky, and smelled like BO. Then, there must have been a small altercation down below because yelling was radiating up through the opening and echoing throughout that area. I left to go find one of the private study rooms, and once again ALL of them were occupied by groups of homeless with their food and trash and belongings spewed about. Finally found another table and sat down. After about 30 minutes a pair of gentlemen walked to the same area and started yelling at their computer, and i mean yelling, «you F***** god damn f****** computer». That was it. I have never been more uncomfortable in my life, let alone wasting about 2 hours of time that was needed to study. Maybe this is because it is starting to get cooler out… I am not sure.
For a quick come in and grab a book on hold, its great! It is such a shame because this library is amazing and beautiful and I really do love it and would love to be able to come here and study, however its not worth my time.

In an unknown land without access to a printers, public libraries are your friends. My husband and I needed to print our boarding passes for a flight out of Denver and accomplished this inconvenient feat at the Denver Public Library. Even without a library card, visitors can hop on a computer for 15 minutes (it’s timed) and print b/​w copies for $ 0.10 each.
Located downtown across from the Denver Art Museum and just down the street from the Capitol building, a visit to this library makes for some scenic views. Of course, the downfalls to a downtown location are that 1) there’s no free parking and 2) a lot of homeless people gather out front. Two security guards sat at the entrance and apparently other security guards are located throughout the building. I’ve never seen a guarded library before, so I guess this can attest to the homeless problem. Other than that, the library was clean, spacious, and is probably the biggest public library I’ve ever been to.
Unilocal 100 CHALLENGE 2015: #226

Our family frequents the library regularly, but most of my visits are with my almost 5 yr old. She adores the kids section and will peruse books for hours. The layout if kid friendly and the bathrooms easily accessible for the little ones. There are cozy spots to read and toys for the smaller kids.
My 12 yr old son didn’t partake much in the YA book section. He said he couldn’t find anything of interest but he has that permanently sullen look with his eyes rolling continuously with his «I can’t be bothered with you people». So I’m sure his lack of interest had more to do with that rather than selection.

Awesome! Large space, quiet, multiple floors with study spots that range from comfy chairs, 6 person tables to 1 person personal desks. Wifi is free and fast! I’m currently enjoying a beautiful view of downtown from the second floor.
If you need a great place to wonder or study this library is perfect.
I wish they were open later!

Yes, I’m a nerd and still frequent the library. That being said — I love the central library! It’s such a beautiful building, though parking is a pain in the butt. I’ve also found the staff here to be really nice and friendly. I always think it’s a little bit of a treat when I get to stop in here versus some of the other libraries around town.

Love this place — easily one of the best libraries I’ve used regularly, and I say that as someone who worked in one for years. The central location is a delight to visit — great layout, interesting events/​exhibits, and truly incredible staff. The staffed floor n in Colorado/​Western history and genealogy is, if not unique, at least stands out in my experience as something special.
In an ideal world, a slightly wider fiction selection and later hours would be ideal — but for a mid-​sized city system, both of these are already better than I expected when moving here.

Huge library, very helpful staff, and great educational events. I can get lost in this place for hours!

The Denver Public Library is the best place in Denver. The library itself is very pretty and the staff is nice. I once was late returning a book and owed the library 20 cents and the librarian offered to clear my debts. I, of course, did not accept as I wanted to support the library. I like to hold paper books so I am glad that I can get books for free whenever I want. There is no charge to hold books or to transfer between libraries, either. I hope the internet doesn’t ruin the Denver Public Library forever.

I love the Michael Graves addition to the old library. Denver is lucky to have a collection of building by top architects such as Gio Ponti, Fentress, I.M. Pei, and Daniel Libeskind.
It is a fun place to visit. I usually browse and check out the happenings. One negative is the homeless that are hanging out or walking around the building. It is a big problem for the city. What to do?

I write this review, from the world class, clean, and a home away from home, library. As I do not have internet at home right now, this is my business center. They have many study stations, with lamps. I love my library card, and have had one in nearly every place I have lived with the exception of Albuquerque, I don’t think many people read there. Besides Denver, Vancouver, is my other favorite. San Francisco’s was pretty good, you would think it would be even better with all the money there. Denver has damn fine selections of books and DVD’s, and very good high speed wireless internet. What more could you want. On a side note, I believe I am smelling the waft of someone still drunk on yesterdays booze. I have also seen several people packing major amounts of personal items, and talking to themselves. So it may be good people watching as well. Hell with cable go to the library. Though someone is wheeling something really squeaky, and I hope it stops soon– SHHH it’s a library.

Not much to say, it’s a library that’s in the downtown Denver area. It is in a nice location next to civic center park. I didn’t get to check out any books, just stopped in a few times while on vacation to catch up on school work. It is quiet and quite large; feels like a campus library. It’s also a good place to people watch, you can see some unique and odd people walking in and out. Good luck with parking though, it’s either street or street. Take your pick!

This is an interesting place. I have seen a bum fight in the elevator area. They were arguing over drugs. It was hilarious. The guards were quick to break it up. My girlfriend saw one on another day. They have a big computer lab. They have classes available for building basic computer skills. Free wi-​fi too. They also have a pretty big selection of music and movies. The best part is the huge book selection. It is very extensive. Lots of cook books too. It is a beautiful building. A great addition to to the Denver architecture. The main issue I have with this place is that there is no parking. How did that not come up in the planning of this place?

The building is very welcoming. We checked out the children’s section and talked with a children’s librarian who was very helpful. I was impressed by the number of computers and games available to the kids as well as the layout and how very clean and quit the whole place was. We also checked out the teen lab on the 4^th floor that had a 3D printer, sound studio and we watched them give some teens a course in coding in JavaScript. Very impressive.

This review is simple: The DPL building is amazing and is a wonderful addition to the downtown architecture scene. When I used to live downtown I’d visit this location at least once a week.
The only down side? There can be some sketchy people milling about outside the building at certain times of the day/​year (–1 star).

The library is fine but the location is terrible, which negates its mission.
There’s no library-​specific parking. It’s jammed between a number of other major civic attractions, also lacking parking. And one could reasonably argue that it’s also terribly located for those using public transport. Nowhere near light rail, 16^th St. shuttles, etc.
Even on Sundays, you have to compete for space with the Art Museum, etc. I fully appreciate the concept of locating civic stuff in a central area, but there’s pretty much no easy access for anyone not living nearby. Also to be fair, I’ve lived in L.A., Phoenix, London and New York and only the latter’s Central Library has zero parking. But it does have 8 nearby subway lines.
Maybe it would be better to divide the collection amongst other locations less congested and also better situated to where the actual population of Denver resides and can easily visit.

Huge library with 7 floors! Biggest library I’ve ever been in. One whole floor just for computers and internet access. Lots of views of downtown and the surrounding museums out of the windows. Nice and quiet to read or do home work.

I’m a nerd. Let’s get that out there. I’ve been a professional student for the vast majority of my life, and even after completing all my degrees, I’m still involved in the world of academia. So of course I love the library, right?
But probably not for the reasons you might think. Am I pouring over the incredible array of books in my field at the library? NO. Expanding my horizons by checking out all the books in other fields? NO.
I’m glutting myself on ENTERTAINMENT. Popular fiction, kindle books, and DVDs of movies and tv shows that I didn’t watch b/​c I was too busy being a student. So far, I’ve watched Breaking Bad, Scandal, and The Wire. FOR FREE.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the hold system. Look up whatever you want online, click on «hold» and they’ll put it in the hold area for you (when it’s ready) to swoop in and check it out. I“m in and out of the library in less than 3 shakes of a lamb’s tail. They even email to let you know it’s ready for pick up.
I think it could also be an ideal place to get some work or studying done, as the café is now open and caffeine will be available. I am no longer a student, so I haven’t checked out whether there are private study rooms, but with how big this library is, i can’t imagine it’d be hard to find some study space.

Love this library in all it’s enormousness and selection. The clerk are always friendly and helpful and take the time to talk.
Definitely my favorite library in the area. Though it’s busy, you can always find a nook somewhere to sneek away and read. LOVE that.

This library is absolutely incredible! I am blown away at the size, efficiency, accessibility, and selection. The size of each of the departments makes a small city dweller drool, hoping to be able to enjoy some of the fruits of this fabulous facility. Just watching how the books are checked in is a great experience. Denver you are a very lucky town.