HISTORY OF ARAPAHOE LIBRARIES
Our Story is a community story. It began with a shared belief that everyone, regardless of where they lived, deserved access to library services.
In the early 1950s, Deer Trail residents Jeanne Davies and her husband, Miles, recognized the need for library service in rural Arapahoe County. While substitute teaching at Deer Trail School, Miles noticed that the school’s only library resources were books on a classroom shelf. Jeanne later recalled, “He came home and talked with me about it and we decided to talk to the County Commissioners to see if they could get a bookmobile to Deer Trail.” That conversation led to the first steps toward bringing library service to communities that had previously been without access or had only limited access to library resources. Jeanne continued that work as a passionate advocate for library services, helping build support for the creation of a dedicated library district and later serving as one of the district’s first trustees.
By the early 1960s, bookmobile visits and partnerships with existing city libraries were providing service throughout the county. As demand grew, community leaders created a dedicated library system. In April 1966, the Arapahoe Regional Library District was established to serve residents of unincorporated Arapahoe County, communities without public libraries, and the Deer Trail area of Adams County.
From its beginnings with a bookmobile and shared library spaces, Arapahoe Libraries grew into a network of community libraries, outreach services, and digital resources. Early locations such as Altura, Southglenn, Walnut Hills, and Sheridan helped establish the foundation of the system, while later libraries—including Castlewood, Koelbel, Smoky Hill, Eloise May, and Ann E. Kelver—expanded service to meet the needs of growing communities.
Jeanne Davies continued to champion library access as one of the district’s first trustees and a longtime advocate for eastern Arapahoe County. In 1989, the Deer Trail Library was renamed the Jeanne Davies Public Library in recognition of her lasting contributions.
Today, Arapahoe Libraries serves a diverse region through welcoming library spaces, digital resources, community partnerships, and mobile services like The Rover. More than 60 years after residents first advocated for library service, the district continues its mission of connecting people with opportunities to learn, explore, and thrive.
HISTORY TIMELINE
Foundations of a Regional Library System (1961–1965)
1961
- Deer Trail is served by the Adams County Bookmobile.
- The Arapahoe County Library Council is established to coordinate library service throughout the county. Jeanne Davies serves as the representative for Deer Trail, Colorado.
- Englewood, Littleton, Aurora, and the Adams County Bookmobile begin coordinated library service to unincorporated Arapahoe County, creating a countywide library service network.
- The three municipal libraries continue funding library service for their own residents. Service to residents outside those municipalities requires additional financial support from Arapahoe County.
- The Adams County Bookmobile begins biweekly service to Byers and Deer Trail on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
- Residents gain access to additional materials through the Tri-County Reference Service, which provides access to resources from the Denver Public Library.
1962
- January: All Arapahoe County residents gain access to library services.
- Free library cards become available through:
- Englewood Public Library
- Littleton Public Library
- Aurora Public Library
- Through service contracts, residents also receive borrowing privileges from the Adams County Library.
1964
- Arapahoe County reduces the county tax rate by 0.1 mill.
1965
- Cherry Crest Branch relocates into Southglenn Shopping Center.
- County Commissioners eliminate funding for countywide library service.
- The Arapahoe County Library Resources Committee is formed.
- Planning begins for a regional library district.
Arapahoe Regional Library District (ARLD) Established (1966)
1966
- January: Library Resources Committee completes its recommendations.
- February: County Commissioners approve formation of a regional library district.
- March: Library Action Committee is organized.
- April:
- Arapahoe Regional Library District (ARLD) is officially established.
- District boundaries include:
- Unincorporated Arapahoe County
- Communities without public libraries
- Deer Trail School District portion of Adams County
- April 18: First Board of Trustees organizes.
- Jack Thomas elected President.
- Founding Trustees:
- Jack Thomas
- Jeanne Davies
- William Murray
- Margaret Toppel
- Norma Hamilton
Late 1966
- First bookmobile purchased.
- Approximately 4,000 books borrowed from the Colorado State Library.
- Ann Kelver hired as the district's first librarian.
- Gary Neyer hired as first bookmobile driver.
- Agreement signed with Littleton Public Library for Southglenn service.
1967
- February 7: First ARLD Bookmobile begins service.
Service includes:- Byers
- Deer Trail
- Eastridge
- Southglenn Library operates through Littleton Public Library under contract.
1968
- Planning begins for district headquarters at Altura.
- Administration operates from the Littleton Courthouse.
- Bill Murray elected Board President.
1969
January: Altura Library opens at 1499 Helena Street.
April: Margaret Toppel elected Board President.
December 20: Altura Library closes following annexation by Aurora.
December 21: Littleton closes Southglenn Library in preparation for transfer to ARLD.