Libraries Mean Business — and Are Essential to Economic Recovery.
- After every economic downturn, demand for library services grows, as people work to rebuild their
lives and businesses. - Job seekers turn to libraries for job search help. Job-skill requirements are changing fast, and libraries can help people keep up by offering access to technology, tools, and a community of shared learning.
- The Boulder Public Library’s BLDG 61 makerspace, which provides access to skill training and expensive tools, has launched more than 100 small businesses.
- BLDG 61 is also regularly used by established local businesses for prototyping, product design and production, and creation of custom marketing materials. This led to a partnership with the Boulder Small Business Development Center creating “Maker’s Edge,” a pilot accelerator program for local startups and small businesses to utilize the space.
- Libraries are excellent neighborhood “anchor stores,” drawing potential customers to local businesses and generating greater revenue for retailers. Patrons who stop at the library while completing a longer list of errands report ‘halo spending’ at establishments close to the library.
- Our libraries are excellent co-working space, with comfortable and free spaces, meeting rooms
and technology. - Strong libraries help boost property values, enhance neighborhoods and create thriving communities where business can flourish and employers can attract a topnotch workforce.
- Communities from Colorado Springs to Seattle understand the role they play in creating an atmosphere for local businesses to start, grow and thrive. Creating a library district would allow Boulder to build on its strong foundation of support for economic development in the community.
Boulder regularly receives high marks for creativity, entrepreneurship, educational attainment, and technological savvy, but we continue to underfund one of our central institutions of economic and social infrastructure — the Boulder Public Library.
Nearly every other library in Colorado similar to Boulder in size and patron base — including those in Fort Collins, Berthoud, Greeley, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo — is now a library district.
