Arapahoe Libraries is celebrating 60 years of service in 2026!
The Beginning of Arapahoe Libraries
Jeanne Davies and her husband taught at the Deer Tail school near their home and ranch. They noticed the school didn’t have many resources for the students’ schoolwork, so they asked the Arapahoe County Commissioner to help provide some resources including a bookmobile. Arapahoe County and the Deer Trail School Board collaborated to create a library district in 1966. They built the district slowly, starting with a five-member board, a librarian and a bookmobile, along with enough books to stock it. The bookmobile serviced the unincorporated areas of the county including Aurora, Littleton and the rural areas around Deer Trail. In the first full year of operation, nearly 28,000 library cards were issued and 3,600 books purchased for the collection. Ann Kelver, the first librarian and namesake of Kelver Library in Byers, drove the bookmobile herself and then eventually hired a driver and additional help. Davies founded and led the library district from day one, serving in various roles and leading the board for more than 25 years, including as President of Board of Trustees. In 1970, Eloise May joined the Southglenn Library team as a library assistant and later became a Director of Arapahoe Libraries.
Jeanne Davies and Eloise May give their account of the library district’s history in this video interview, Arapahoe Libraries History Throughout the Years, opens a new window.
Read more about the early days in Arapahoe Libraries Rooted in Eastern Plains.
Milestones of Arapahoe Libraries
Over the years, Arapahoe Libraries has seen numerous library openings, relocations and closings in favor of new buildings and ever-expanding services. Here are some of the highlights:
1960s-1970s: Building the Foundation
1966 – Arapahoe Library District founded.
1967 – First bookmobile begins service to Arapahoe County.
1970 – Original Southglenn Library opens.
1972 – Sheridan Library opens; a second bookmobile is purchased.
1978 – Deer Trail Library opens.
1979 – Computerized catalog replaces card catalog.
1980s-2000s: Expansion
1982 – Castlewood Library opens the first building constructed and owned by Arapahoe Libraries; Glendale Library begins service.
1984 – Byers Library renamed Kelver Library.
1986 – Jail Library opens at Arapahoe County Detention Center.
1989 – Deer Trail Library renamed Davies Library.
1991 – New Arapahoe Library District logo introduced.
1992 – Koelbel Library opens.
1994 – The Friends of Arapahoe Libraries founded to support library programs and services.
1997 – First website launches.
1999 – First self-check machines installed.
2003 – Smoky Hill Library opens current location.
2009 – Eloise May Library opens; Southglenn Library opens at Steets of Southglenn after numerous relocations.
2010s-Present: Innovation
2010 – Third bookmobile purchased, currently a full-service Library on Wheels.
2014 – Sheridan Library opens current location.
2015 – Arapahoe Libraries rebranded (from Arapahoe Library District) with current sparks logo.
2018 – Current version of Arapahoe Libraries website goes live.
2019 – Davies Library opens current location in Deer Trail school.
2021 – Kelver Library opens current location.
2024 – Library offerings expand to include a Library of Things and Video Games.
2025 – The Rover, a state-of-the-art mobile library service introduced.
2026 – The Space opens as an innovative co-working space and cafe. The building was formerly the Arapahoe Libraries administrative building, reconstructed into patron space as the need for community space was identified.
Learn more about the History of Arapahoe Libraries with this full timeline of events and milestones.
Arapahoe Libraries Today
Today, Arapahoe Libraries has grown to include 9 libraries, a bookmobile and the latest innovative concept, The Space, a community space and cafe for meeting and co-working. Arapahoe Libraries has evolved to a network of libraries offering books, media and so much more. Serving modern communities today means being a digital knowledge hub, embracing technology and providing a wide range of services and engaging events for all ages and interests. Library spaces have been reimagined to support collaboration, creativity and community engagement with the inclusion of tools like 3D printers, a Makerspace and Audio and Video Recording Rooms that allow patrons to explore innovative ideas and develop new skills. A plethora of online resources and community services are at your fingertips, along with outreach through Mobile Library Services and Lending Machines around the community. Cafes offer a welcoming environment to gather and relax, Meeting and Study Rooms are equipped with the latest technology, and sustainability efforts include Electric Vehicle charging stations at multiple locations. The library is now a modern and innovative community space that brings people together and provides these and many more services and resources for free through taxpayer dollars and The Friends of the Library. Let's see where the next 60 years takes us!