AURORA | Aurora will unveil the first part of a citywide transformation of the city’s library system Monday with the unveiling of a newly expanded MLK Jr. Library in northwest Aurora.
City officials and Aurora Democratic Congressperson Jason Crow will celebrate a $2.5 million expansion that doubles the library space, funded by a federal grant procured by Crow.
Aurora library officials say a highlight of the expansion is increased youth programming.
The library last month unveiled a comprehensive Strategic and Facilities Master Plan that sets a new course for the system’s services, spaces and long-term growth.
The planning effort, which began in January, drew on a wide range of community and staff input. A bilingual survey received more than 2,700 responses, contributing to what library officials described as a cohesive picture of community priorities.
The new mission of the library system is to “Nurture curiosity, capability and confidence throughout all of life’s chapters.” The values now emphasized include access, resourcefulness, belonging, generosity, community building and wonder.
The five areas of focus include: resource and access navigation, skills and literacy development, community building, digital equity, and passion and culture cultivation.
“Completing this Strategic and Facilities Master Plan marks a pivotal moment for Aurora Public Library,” Ginger White Brunetti, director of Library and Cultural Services said in a statement. She praised the strong community engagement behind the project, adding that the plan provides a clear roadmap to ensure libraries remain “vibrant, equitable and future-ready.”
Deputy director for Library Services Joanna McNeal said the refreshed vision charts a path that “expands access, deepens learning and strengthens community connections,” and said that the facilities assessment underscores the need for modern, flexible and welcoming spaces.
The plan for the city’s five library branches calls for an estimated $12.8 million in capital improvements and deferred maintenance. The plan also recommends constructing new branches based on projected residential growth, including a proposed northeast Aurora library estimated at a cost of $18 million.
Finding expansion funds has been charged to a city infrastructure planning committee.
$2.5 million in improvements you say, thanks to Crow. Now that most certainly gives all of us a lot of confidence. This federal taxpayer largess will all of a sudden create a learning utopia at the MLF jr. library. As of this summer the rest of us saw east Colfax right there has continued as the library lawn and benches provided the epic center, a city Ward, a chunk of old Aurora turned into a decayed industrial strength area of squalor. But no worries, now with a little $2.5 mill cash infusion things will change. That’s rich… Such typical sophistry from our politicians. Let’s not forget reality, the 7 news investigation.
https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/auroras-martin-luther-king-jr-library-employees-see-increase-in-homeless-people-living-outside-front-doors
Anything change? – No, it’s about the same. For this Mondays phony ceremony, and all the hoop-la. The city has had all hands-on deck working to shoo away the homeless for a day or so for this official ribbon cutting with the bravado of oohs and aahs from the Aurora politicos. All to be there on cloud nine, over the moon. It’s been fun for the homeless too, they have truly enjoyed the library as well, just not much excitement lost on reading. But this Monday, they will have to go away for a bit for a great event to take place.
If the city wanted to get serious, which they never seem to do, a fence like the US mint downtown has around it, something like that would be in order. This $2.5 mill for a fence would solve a couple issues, 1), keep the public area drug free and sanitary, 2) the fence would be suitable as a solution for the safety of the library employees. Crow and city leadership suggest they want the library to be a place to learn. How bout start with the basics…. Provide security.
This article would have been better if it had told us where the library is.