Celebrating the New Main Library
The Grand Re-Opening of the
Main Summit County Library in Frisco
March 26, 2022
11:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
The Main Library in Frisco re-opened its doors on Saturday, after a seven month closure due to an extensive remodeling project. It is a moment to celebrate “The Next Chapter,” in the story of the Summit County Libraries. To recognize the moment, Summit County Libraries and the Library Foundation invited the community to pay the Library a visit from 11am-5pm to see the exciting changes and new library spaces.
A ribbon-cutting with the County Commisioners, Elisabeth Lawrence, Josh Blanchard and Tamara Pogue took place at 10am, followed by live music and special entertainment for families including multiple storytimes, crafts, a scavenger hunt and button-making.
The community was able to see how their requests for improvement have been translated into designated areas for teens and children, quiet study and meeting rooms, exciting colors and comfortable seating.
It was 25 years since the Main Library in Frisco moved to the County Commons. Since that time, the needs of the community and library users have radically changed. “Like any well-used and loved community facility, the Main Library and the North Branch were showing signs of wear. The size of North Branch was too small for the rapidly growing end of the County”.
The Capital Campaign is part of a $4.5 million building project to remodel the Main Library and the North Branch. Summit County is providing $2.7 million, the IA ballot Strong Futures in 2018 provides a further $900,000 and the Summit County Library Foundation is fundraising a further $1.0 million.The timeline for the reopening of the Main Library remained on target despite supply chain issues and COVID. The work on the North Branch Library in Silverthorne is expected to start in the summer of 2022.
The Library team and Summit County was lucky to work with the talented architects at Vega Architects and StudioTrope who brought the vision into reality and Himmelman Construction, who made it happen despite these challenging times.
Since 2019, Summit County Libraries have been dedicated to bringing their customer service in line with the standards in equivalently sized Colorado libraries. The remodel has renovated the circlation desk experience; self-check machines have increased the ease with which patrons can check out their materials, and the new RFID tags currently being placed in all library materials speed up the process.
For the Friends of the Library organization, there is a bright new bookstore feel and attractive lounge areas where library patrons can work alone or sit with others. Additional tables that allow for laptop use, overlook the beauty of our
natural environment and mountain peaks. The new Teen Room at the library is another highlight of the renovation. “We have always welcomed kids to the Library after school and on weekends. We are excited to be able to offer teens their own room with great furniture, access to technology, and a space with their own library collection to study or socialize. We can, at last develop a wider range of teen programs and activities.”
Access a Before and After Slideshow Here
The staff at the Main Library are excited to be able to welcome back our patrons. “The remodel of the library will be very helpful to our patrons, from the convenient electrical outlets to the bright seating areas and 
spaces designed for different ages and needs.
Library staff invite you to come see and enjoy the new space! Our hours are now 9am-6pm Monday-Thursday, 9am-5pm Firday-Saturday at all 3 Summit County Library locations.
To keep up to date with these and other planned changes, please visit our webpage at www.summitlibraryexpansion.com or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
03/28/22
