The Space to Be - Poudre Libraries

The Space to Be - Poudre Libraries
my account
hours & locations
books & more
books & more
BOOKS & MEDIA
Download & Stream
Books & eBooks
Audiobooks
Movies & TV
Newspapers & Magazines
DISCOVER MORE
What’s New
Curiosity Pass
Gadgets & Things
Spanish Materials
events
events
BY AGE
View All
Children
Teens
Adults
Everyone
EXPLORE
View All
Storytimes
Book Clubs
Reading Challenges
Technology Learning
research & learn
research & learn
RESEARCH
View All Databases
Digital Newspapers
Business & Finance
Genealogy & History
FRCC
Journals & Magazines
LEARN
View All
Homework Help
Mango Languages
LinkedIn Learning
Creativebug
Career Online High School
services
services
COMMUNITY
Meeting & Study Spaces
Community Outreach
Business & Nonprofit
Job & Career
Educators & Homeschool
Community Resources
TECHNOLOGY
Print, Copy, Scan, & Fax
Computers & WiFi
3D Printing
Technology Learning
using your library
using your library
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Welcome to Poudre Libraries
Meeting & Study Spaces
Computers & WiFi
Birth to 5
Kids
Teens
Adults
YOUR LIBRARY CARD
Get a Library Card
Manage Your Account
Borrowing Basics
Borrowing from Other Libraries
Library App
donate
my account
hours & locations
books & more
books & more
BOOKS & MEDIA
Download & Stream
Books & eBooks
Audiobooks
Movies & TV
Newspapers & Magazines
DISCOVER MORE
What’s New
Curiosity Pass
Gadgets & Things
Spanish Materials
events
events
BY AGE
View All
Children
Teens
Adults
Everyone
EXPLORE
View All
Storytimes
Book Clubs
Reading Challenges
Technology Learning
research & learn
research & learn
RESEARCH
View All Databases
Digital Newspapers
Business & Finance
Genealogy & History
FRCC
Journals & Magazines
LEARN
View All
Homework Help
Mango Languages
LinkedIn Learning
Creativebug
Career Online High School
services
services
COMMUNITY
Meeting & Study Spaces
Community Outreach
Business & Nonprofit
Job & Career
Educators & Homeschool
Community Resources
TECHNOLOGY
Print, Copy, Scan, & Fax
Computers & WiFi
3D Printing
Technology Learning
using your library
using your library
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Welcome to Poudre Libraries
Meeting & Study Spaces
Computers & WiFi
Birth to 5
Kids
Teens
Adults
YOUR LIBRARY CARD
Get a Library Card
Manage Your Account
Borrowing Basics
Borrowing from Other Libraries
Library App
donate
my account
hours & locations
books & more
books & more
BOOKS & MEDIA
Download & Stream
Books & eBooks
Audiobooks
Movies & TV
Newspapers & Magazines
DISCOVER MORE
What’s New
Curiosity Pass
Gadgets & Things
Spanish Materials
events
events
BY AGE
View All
Children
Teens
Adults
Everyone
EXPLORE
View All
Storytimes
Book Clubs
Reading Challenges
Technology Learning
research & learn
research & learn
RESEARCH
View All Databases
Digital Newspapers
Business & Finance
Genealogy & History
FRCC
Journals & Magazines
LEARN
View All
Homework Help
Mango Languages
LinkedIn Learning
Creativebug
Career Online High School
services
services
COMMUNITY
Meeting & Study Spaces
Community Outreach
Business & Nonprofit
Job & Career
Educators & Homeschool
Community Resources
TECHNOLOGY
Print, Copy, Scan, & Fax
Computers & WiFi
3D Printing
Technology Learning
using your library
using your library
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Welcome to Poudre Libraries
Meeting & Study Spaces
Computers & WiFi
Birth to 5
Kids
Teens
Adults
YOUR LIBRARY CARD
Get a Library Card
Manage Your Account
Borrowing Basics
Borrowing from Other Libraries
Library App
donate
my account
hours & locations
books & more
books & more
BOOKS & MEDIA
Download & Stream
Books & eBooks
Audiobooks
Movies & TV
Newspapers & Magazines
DISCOVER MORE
What’s New
Curiosity Pass
Gadgets & Things
Spanish Materials
events
events
BY AGE
View All
Children
Teens
Adults
Everyone
EXPLORE
View All
Storytimes
Book Clubs
Reading Challenges
Technology Learning
research & learn
research & learn
RESEARCH
View All Databases
Digital Newspapers
Business & Finance
Genealogy & History
FRCC
Journals & Magazines
LEARN
View All
Homework Help
Mango Languages
LinkedIn Learning
Creativebug
Career Online High School
services
services
COMMUNITY
Meeting & Study Spaces
Community Outreach
Business & Nonprofit
Job & Career
Educators & Homeschool
Community Resources
TECHNOLOGY
Print, Copy, Scan, & Fax
Computers & WiFi
3D Printing
Technology Learning
using your library
using your library
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Welcome to Poudre Libraries
Meeting & Study Spaces
Computers & WiFi
Birth to 5
Kids
Teens
Adults
YOUR LIBRARY CARD
Get a Library Card
Manage Your Account
Borrowing Basics
Borrowing from Other Libraries
Library App
donate
my account
hours & locations
books & more
books & more
BOOKS & MEDIA
Download & Stream
Books & eBooks
Audiobooks
Movies & TV
Newspapers & Magazines
DISCOVER MORE
What’s New
Curiosity Pass
Gadgets & Things
Spanish Materials
events
events
BY AGE
View All
Children
Teens
Adults
Everyone
EXPLORE
View All
Storytimes
Book Clubs
Reading Challenges
Technology Learning
research & learn
research & learn
RESEARCH
View All Databases
Digital Newspapers
Business & Finance
Genealogy & History
FRCC
Journals & Magazines
LEARN
View All
Homework Help
Mango Languages
LinkedIn Learning
Creativebug
Career Online High School
services
services
COMMUNITY
Meeting & Study Spaces
Community Outreach
Business & Nonprofit
Job & Career
Educators & Homeschool
Community Resources
TECHNOLOGY
Print, Copy, Scan, & Fax
Computers & WiFi
3D Printing
Technology Learning
using your library
using your library
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Welcome to Poudre Libraries
Meeting & Study Spaces
Computers & WiFi
Birth to 5
Kids
Teens
Adults
YOUR LIBRARY CARD
Get a Library Card
Manage Your Account
Borrowing Basics
Borrowing from Other Libraries
Library App
donate
the space to be
get your free library card
meet fellow community members and learn about their space to be...
get curious
read this video's transcript
00:00:00
The library is the space to be curious.
00:00:03
When people think of libraries they think of books but the library does so much more.
00:00:08
The library has like all sorts of activities that you can take home that aren’t just books.
00:00:12
The library has study rooms.
00:00:14
Finding out about the plant library I was like oh my gosh that’s amazing.
00:00:17
The whole access to computers free of charge is a remarkable service.
00:00:24
I discovered that I can use the copier machines. [laughter]
00:00:28
You might becoming in looking for exactly the book you want,
00:00:32
and you might discover amazing things along the way.
ignite your knowledge
read this video's transcript
00:00:00
For me, the library is a space for me to be bilingual.
00:00:05
My name is Ling and I present Mandarin English storytime here at the library.
00:00:09
I love that I could bring a piece of my culture to the community
00:00:15
and also to show my kids that we can be proud of who we are.
00:00:20
I think its important to expose kids to different languages and cultures
00:00:25
to make them see that there are other people in this world.
00:00:30
[Ling in Mandarin Chinese] For me, the library is the space to bilingual.
find your happy
read this video's transcript
00:00:00
The library is the space to be
00:00:02
happy!
00:00:05
It’s a very inclusive place, no matter what
00:00:08
no matter where you come from or what
00:00:10
nationality you are.
00:00:11
For those of us who speak Spanish,
00:00:13
there are many resources in Spanish.
00:00:14
Almost everything is translated and there are
00:00:17
alot of staff members who speak Spanish.
00:00:20
[Music.]
spark creativity
read this video's transcript
00:00:00
My name is Wendy McCormick.
00:00:02
I’m the founder and owner of Ongoing Renewal Massage Therapy.
00:00:06
I needed some information and resources to kind of see where my business could go.
00:00:12
So I had the pleasure of working with Amada [business librarian] and she helped me
00:00:17
get in contact with a lot of people around me in my communities.
00:00:21
She just knew how to access all the information and it made it so easy for me.
00:00:28
To me, the library is the space to be creative.
kindle imagination
read this video's transcript
00:00:00
The library to me is the space to be imaginative.
00:00:04
We all have an imagination
00:00:07
but we can build when the kids are little
00:00:09
and the library is a great place to do that…
00:00:12
living lives we’ve never lived
00:00:14
and we’re probably never going to live.
foster joy
read this video's transcript
00:00:00
This library is full of funness.
00:00:02
There are like alot of coloring stuff,
00:00:05
alot of different tables, alot of puzzles, alot of toys.
00:00:07
They have computers, they have playplaces,
00:00:11
they have lots of books.
00:00:13
Alot of parents use the library as an activity
00:00:17
when there is no other activity but its also been intentional
00:00:21
like “we are going to the library.” There’s so
00:00:23
much going on the children’s section
00:00:25
and there’s usually an event going on as well.
00:00:28
I think the library is the space to be joyful.
yes, i want a library card
read this video's transcript
00:00:06
I think the library is the space to be happy.
00:00:09
This library is full of funness.
00:00:11
They have computers, they have playplaces,
00:00:15
and you can check out books and movies.
00:00:20
To me, the library is the space to be having fun.
00:00:23
The library puts on so many great events. It’s really cool
00:00:25
how when you just show up to the library things kinda happen
00:00:27
you meet people you find out about like the plant library there’s just friendly faces.
00:00:31
Lots of people envision a library as the stereotypical, quiet, sit in a corner, read a book.
00:00:37
Libraries here in Fort Collins have been much more than that
00:00:40
because there are events, there are things going on, everybody’s welcome.
00:00:46
The library is the place to be happy.
00:00:50
It’s a very inclusive place, no matter what.
00:00:52
No matter where you come from or what nationality you are.
00:00:56
For those of us who speak Spanish there are many resources in Spanish.
00:01:00
Almost everything is translated and there are a lot of staff members that speak Spanish.
00:01:03
I learned about like a whole different side of the library once my kids were born
00:01:07
because there’s so many programs.
00:01:11
The library is the space to be curious.
00:01:14
You might be coming in looking for exactly the book you want,
00:01:19
and you might discover amazing things along the way.
00:01:22
I discovered that I can use the copier machines [laughter] which is amazing.
00:01:27
The library has like cake pans and crochet kits and all sorts of activities
00:01:32
that you can take home that aren’t just books.
00:01:34
The tech courses, the computer courses, which I really enjoy
00:01:38
and they go out of their way to make these courses amenable to me.
00:01:43
If I think about the libraries I went to as a kid,
00:01:46
you were at the library to get a book.
00:01:49
The library has become something so much bigger than that
00:01:53
in that it has study rooms, and there are rooms to hold meetings.
00:01:57
They just make it a very inviting, welcoming, and visually stimulating space.
00:02:04
To me, the library is the space to be fulfilled.
00:02:10
You just have this sense of tranquility when you walk through the doors.
00:02:15
People can access free resources and information that
00:02:19
would otherwise be hard to get on our own.
00:02:23
Libraries are just such a centerpiece of the community and its like one of the
00:02:27
easiest ways to just meet nice people in your town.
00:02:30
I like that the library is like a third space,
00:02:32
like if I want to meet up with a friend, it’s great to not have to pay to exist.
00:02:37
The library to me is the space to be imaginative.
00:02:42
We all have an imagination but we can build it when the kids are little.
00:02:46
Everyone can come here and be accepted and
00:02:50
have the space to sit down, enjoy a book,
00:02:54
and have a pleasant conversation with another human being.
00:02:58
The library is the space to be a friend.
00:03:01
The library is the space to be creative.
00:03:03
The library is the space to be joyful.
00:03:06
The space to be inquisitive.
00:03:08
The space to be enlightened.
00:03:09
The space to be social.
00:03:11
The space to be connected.
00:03:13
The space to be productive.
00:03:14
The space to be educated.
00:03:16
The space to be open-minded.
00:03:18
The space to be yourself.
explore the space to be
discover the space to be
No matter your passion, background, motivation, or community, Poudre Libraries is the space to be! We create opportunities and build connections to strengthen our community. Find
a location
near you.
Harmony Library
4616 S Shields St, Fort Collins
Old Town Library
201 Peterson St, Fort Collins
Council Tree Library
2733 Council Tree Ave, Fort Collins
get your free library card
"You might be coming in looking for exactly the book you want, and you might discover amazing things along the way."
Donna Clayton Walter
"I love that I could bring a piece of my culture to the community and also to show my kids that we can be proud of who we are."
Ling Wang
"If I think about the libraries I went to as a kid, you were at the library to get a book. The library has become something so much bigger than that."
Susan Harness
"To me, the library is the space to be fulfilled. You just have this sense of tranquility when you walk through the doors."
Ron Rosenberg
“Libraries are just such a centerpiece of the community and it's like one of the easiest ways to just meet nice people in your town.”
Emmalee Severson
“I like that the library is like a third space. Like if I want to meet up with a friend it's great to not have to pay to exist.”
Hannah Hostak
"Lots of people envision a library as the stereotypical, quiet, sit in a corner, read a book. Libraries here in Fort Collins have been much more than that because there are events, there are things going on, and everybody's welcome."
John-Fredrik Wright
get your free library card
discover new worlds between the pages
Poudre Libraries is the space to be a reader, no matter your age, ability, or taste in books.
Everyone from elementary school students, to young professionals, to a local author, to a retired teacher shares a passion for stories.
start reading
read this video's transcript
00:00:00
I love to be around people who obviously love to read.
00:00:03
I can get free books. That alone is a great selling point.
00:00:05
The collection of graphic novels that you can access
00:00:08
at any of the branches is just so wonderful.
00:00:11
The library had digital books that I could get through
00:00:15
my Kindle and it just opened up a whole world for me.
00:00:19
I spended like a whole hour or a day just reading and studying.
00:00:26
I love reading, it’s my favorite.
discover new worlds between the pages
Poudre Libraries is the space to be a reader, no matter your age, ability, or taste in books.
Everyone from elementary school students, to young professionals, to a local author, to a retired teacher shares a passion for stories.
Makena Terrell
"I spended like a whole hour or a day just reading and studying. I love reading, it's my favorite."
Emmalee Severson
"I can get free books. That alone is a great selling point. "
Donna Clayton Walter
"I love to be around people who obviously love to read."
Liam Benefer
"The collection of graphic novels that you can access at any of the branches is just so wonderful."
Ling Wang
"The library had digital books that I could get through my Kindle and it just opened up a whole world for me."
get your free library card
meet the heartbeat of the space to be...
Get to know some of our employees (past and present) that make the library the space to be.
Remembering Larry Webber
Learn more about the life of a former Library Director who had a tremendous impact on the community.
Amada Simental Named Larimer SBDC 2024 Advisor of the Year
Poudre Libraries' Business & Nonprofit Librarian, Amada Simental, named Larimer SBDC 2024 Advisor of the Year.
Old Town Art Exhibit: Vicky Hays
Meet artist (and former librarian) Vicky Hays and learn more about her needle art exhibit at Old Town Library.
Adventure in the Shelves
Learn how staff member Benjamin Brantley found adventure in the shelves over a decade of working at Council Tree Library.
The Power of Purpose
Get to know Selena Paulsen, Poudre LIbraries Development Officer who helps build relationships across the community.
15 Years of Library Magic | 15 años de magia bibliotecaria
Explore the story of remarkable former library employee, Ludy Rueda.
Harmony through the Decades
Read three decades of stories from Elaine Burritt's time behind the reference desk.
The Storytime Flutist of Fort Collins
Meet Jennifer Zachman, a librarian who turned her childhood dream into reality.
Years at the “Great Equalizer”
Meet Meg Schiel, and learn about everything from her travels with New Belgium to her librarian role.
The Right to the Story
Discover the story of librarian Amy Holzworth, whose love for literature led her to find love in the library.
Watching the Roses Bloom
Learn Teen Librarian Miranda West's dedication to serving young adults.
Interview with Executive Director Diane Lapierre
Meet Diane Lapierre, our executive director. Learn about her passion for libraries and journey to becoming a leader.
How the Library Recycles up to 69 Elephants A Year
Learn how the library contributes to a greener community with our unique recycling processes.
discover the space to be
Explore the space to be
Each month, we feature a different “space to be” and match it with events, materials, and opportunities at the library. Whether you explore the space to be delighted, the space to be creative, or the space to be festive, there is something for everyone.
find your space to be
Linkedin-in
970-221-6740
You Belong Here. Hate does not.
People of every age, gender, nationality, faith, race, culture, ability, and sexual orientation are welcome here. Hate is not.
© Poudre Libraries 2026
301 E. Olive St., Fort Collins, CO 80524