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The George Reynolds Branch Library, the first branch library in
the City of Boulder, was opened in October of 1968, and dedicated in March
of 1969. A gift from the estate of Dr. George F. Reynolds provided the
original funds for the Reynolds Branch. Dr. Reynolds was a noted University
of Colorado English Literature professor; he was also a well-respected
Biblical and Shakespearean scholar.
The original building design, by architect Bill
Heinzman, used arches,
courtyards, brick walls, and an open-floor design to create a living room
atmosphere for the small branch library. The library opened with a
collection of 7,000 books.
During the next 25 years, the Reynolds Branch Library stayed relatively
the same, as the neighborhood and the community surrounding it grew very
rapidly. The demands for a larger branch library also grew. Following the
successful 1987 Library Bond Issue, plans were made to expand the Reynolds
Branch Library but not until 1993, was construction started on the
expansion.
The expansion, at a cost of approximately $980,000, doubled the size of
the Reynolds Branch Library. By now, the library's collection had grown to
over 26,000 items, including books, videotapes, compact discs, audiotapes,
magazines and more.
The expansion, designed by architect Peter Heinz, helped provide the
needed space necessary, while remaining faithful to the original building's
concepts. Some of the building's new features were an expanded children's
area, an interior flagstone courtyard, a larger centralized circulation
desk, and a comfortable reading room for magazines and newspapers. The
Reynolds Branch doubled the number of computer terminals for public access,
and also added two Kid's Catalog computers in the Children's area that
provide a more user-friendly access to the library's catalog.
The annual circulation at the Reynolds Branch Library is approximately
150,000 items.
Look for information about Reynolds Programs, Exhibits and Displays on
the Library Calendar.
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