Susan Kelly, Nederland. “To build up a library is to create a life. It’s never just a random collection of books.” Carlos María Domíngue. 

This rings so true about the Nederland Community Library, conceived by local bibliophiles who had a premonition that bringing a library to Nederland would add more than just books. Likewise, the 20th Anniversary of the Nederland Community Library held Saturday, January 30, 2021, was much more than a party with balloons, music, cake, games, and give-a-ways. It was a grand celebration of hard work, volunteerism, dedication, persistence, appreciation, and imagination.   

The library staff along with volunteers from the NCL District Board and the NCL Foundation set up promptly at 9:30 a.m. Green and yellow balloons lined the walkway. Up went the canopy tent to house the hot chocolate and kid-friendly activities. Up went tables lined with gift bags and give-away books. On came the upbeat tunes, reveling to booklovers, information seekers, and open-minded thinkers. Out came the commemorative double chocolate cake! The sun was bright; the wind was calm. The celebration commenced perfectly, only to get brighter, happier, and friendlier as the day progressed.   

The whole town was invited and almost 200 people showed up, participated, and even stayed a while. The stream of visitors lasted all day long, families with children, long-time patrons, founding members, newcomers to the community, and even a tourist or two. After months of Covid-cooped-up-ness, partying outside the library in January, donned with masks and mittens, was the best thing around. Founding members reunited, sharing the trials and tribulations they experienced when the Nederland Community Library was only an idea and rejoicing the two-decades of its existence. Library staff, volunteers, Board of Directors, and Foundations members, mingled for hours, gifting away free books, library themed gift bags, gators, and tote bags. Patrons grinned with gratitude and generously stuffed the donation jar. Elektra Greer, the NCL library director, was amazed and humbled by the impressive turnout from the town. “This celebration was such a joyous reminder that libraries are about people and relationships more than anything else.” 

The Nederland Community Library has high hopes to continue to grow in its role as a safe, nonpartisan space geared for learning and community connections, a place for community members of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs. It also aspires to take a more active role in supporting small business through market and demographic analyses, industry trade journals and connections to small business workshops. “We’d love to host a Small Business Pitch Competition in partnership with other community partners,” said Elektra.  

The Library Foundation is planning on expanding the library’s education and workforce development role for teens in the area by funding paid internship programs that give our youth invaluable entry-level job experience. Finally, the library hopes to conduct a community-needs assessment for the possible expansion of the library facility on the undeveloped property east of the library (and currently owned by the library).  

The Nederland Community Library continues to be open by appointment from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Find out about pick-up service and delivery, homeschool support, story time, and more. Also, check out the Foundation’s new online bookstore at https://nederland-community-library-foundation.square.site/s/shop.  

The 20th Anniversary celebration was a grand success. More importantly the Nederland Community Library has been a success, all thanks to the town of Nederland, its devoted volunteers, and information seekers/book lovers of all ages.  

The Nederland Community Library is located at 200 N Hwy 72 Nederland, Colorado, 80466. To reach them call (303) 258-1101. Check out their website at  https://nederland.colibraries.org/ or their Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nederlandcommunitylibrary.

(Originally published in the February 4, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)