This new iteration of Greeley’s Lincoln Park Library Branch will in many regards preserve and honor the past while also carving a path forward with braided meandering beauty. Paying homage to the natural world, principally the rich water systems sustaining this region, it will truly be a work of art designed to foster and incubate the creativity of its patrons.

A Brief History of Greeley’s Downtown Library

Since the Union Colony’s inception in 1870, founders always made space for a library even if it was just a small corner of the Hotel de Comfort, a community building for those in need of shelter.
As the community grew the collection became a roving “gipsy library,” setting up camp in several locations.
Eventually, the library found a home in the rotunda of the Greeley High School (the building adjacent to the Union Colony Civic Center).
Then in 1907 the Greeley Public Library was built next to City Hall through a huge fundraising effort in which community members bought bricks for the building—school children even saved their allowances to chip-in.

To accommodate new growth, the Lincoln Park Library branch was rebuilt in 1967 across from Lincoln Park. The new building also became the home of the Greeley Fire Department and the City Hall. Throughout its lifespan the building was renovated and improved, but eventually it was demolished to make space for the DoubleTree by Hilton and other downtown improvements.

The Lincoln Park Branch took up residence at its current location (the old Goodwill building across from Walgreens) in 2016, where it has remained in wait for the new building project to be completed.

LINC Design Process

In response to community input, the High Plains Library District acquired the former Greeley Tribune building in 2019 to create a flagship downtown branch. Executive Director Dr. Matthew Hortt told the Greeley Tribune,

“The first eight months of my job were working on a strategic plan, so we really focus grouped and surveyed in the entire district, and what we heard in communities – not just Greeley – is, ‘If you guys are going to be a big library district, where’s your downtown library?’”

Fortunately, due to a strong tax base and fiscally conservative policies, the $4 million purchase was made without incurring debt. Likewise the subsequent renovations have come out of reserves allowing the High Plains Library District to remain debt free without creating any additional tax burden.

LINC Library Renovations — See live footage of the renovation process at https://www.senserasystems.com/public/project/LINCLibrary

After closing the sale, Dr. Hort and the High Plains Library District Board of Trustees selected Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture, to collaboratively envision and redesign the Tribune Building. They employed a People-Inspired Design Process gathering extensive input/feedback about what the community would like to see in this space.

Comments Received from Community Members

“There are many examples of interactive art pieces that I would love to see something created especially for an area of the library that captures the imagination. Kinetic Art for example can create a calming mood.”

“I really enjoy your annual visiting authors/speaker programs. With so few bookstores left, the library is left holding the bag, which could be an opportunity”
“It’s wonderful to see plenty of activity at the library these days for gathering, socializing and learning! Sadly though, this may also be the only place some people can go to do research, homework, etc. & for those who many have PTSD, ADD or be sound sensitive, it’s almost impossible to get enough peace to concentrate on the task at hand, even in the designated quiet areas.”

Main themes an take-aways from the Planning Process

(See more of the survey results here.)

Features of the LINC Library

Construction has been underway now for nearly a year and is expected to be completed early next spring so that the branch can open its doors in May 2023. The new library will offer:

An Artful Aesthetic: From the gorgeous facade patterned after the local watershed system, to the flowing bookshelf winding into the main collection, the entire space was thoughtfully considered both for form and function and to integrate elements from the natural world.

Ample Space: The Tribune building was extended and reconfigured so that the new library will be open and spacious with a total square footage of 62,000 ft. spread over two floors.
- Meeting Spaces: There will be adaptable event space, a room for boards to convene, classroom spaces, and collaboration spaces for small groups.
- Private Rooms: Study rooms will offer individuals secluded space to focus on their work without distractions.
- A Reading Room: An enclosed reading room will provide a quieter environment.

A Fireside Courtyard: Situated in what was previously the rotunda entrance of the Tribune building, this circular courtyard will have adirondack seating outside and be lined with windows to let natural light in–flooding the heart of the collection and surrounding indoor seating. With an indoor/outdoor fireplace on the edge, patrons will be able to sit fireside regardless of the weather.

Innovation Bays: These two-story spaces, located where the Tribune printing presses used to be, are designed to accommodate classes, workshops and creativity of all kinds. One will be outfitted for wet activities, another will be reserved for dry mediums and the third will be set-up for dirty/loud crafts like woodworking.

Gallery Space: Adjoining the innovation bays there will be a gallery area for displaying works by local artists and makers.

A Recording Studio: There will be a sound-proof recording studio, a green screen for video recording and the necessary equipment to create an array of content.

Advanced Technology: Computer workstations and a 3-D printer/engraver with the necessary programs to support them, will empower modeling and innovation.

A Custom Art Installation: This permanent installation, inspired by the river and brought to fruition by renowned artist Wes Bruce, will offer space for contemplation, play and wonder for adults and children alike.

“There's certain qualities that art draws out of people. It gives them a bucket to go down into their well–it's like we're handing someone a bucket at the front door of the installation being like, take this go down to the depths see what you bring out. I think that's where your purpose lies–where your deep connection to yourself lies… That connection–and even looking at the word remembering like you can be dismembered which means your arms and legs are torn off of you and to remember is to put your body back together.”

– Wes Bruce

Hear more about this project on the New Podcast Series From Weld Found: Where Water Flows Uphill.

A Robust Children’s Section: Straight out of a storybook, this fantastical space will have a hobbit door, a dedicated story room and a colorful permanent art installation hovering over the space patterned after the Colorado sky.

STEM Exploration Exhibits: This space will have interactive exhibits for children to experiment and play, including:
- A cloud blaster that creates cool vaporous cloud puffs
- A stationary cloud installation that teaches color theory
- A vertical wind tube
- A paper airplane launcher
- A child-directed maker space
- A ball track with blower propulsion