2021, GCLF helped the library district provide spaces that promote innovation and education to patrons. GCLF obtained $6,500 in grants from the Bessie Minor Swift Foundation and the Grand Foundation for the refurbishment of the children’s libraries as well as furniture to promote collaboration, relaxation, and a healthy environment.
Donation to the Foundation through Colorado Gives ensures the sustainability of our libraries.
In 2019, GCLF provided more than $55,000 to support library facilities through debt repayment. These funds helped the library district pay off its building debt 10-years early, allowing for a savings of over $2 million in interest.
Community of Writers
The Foundation provided the seed money to initiate Grand County Community of Writers in 2017. The Community of Writers offers amateur and professional writers a chance to develop their writing skills together in monthly critique groups as well as workshops. Sustaining funds were then provided to the Library to expand the Community of Writers to offer ‘Craft with a Craft’ presentations by regional authors at local microbreweries and coffeehouses, as well as hosting author evenings with nationally recognized authors. In addition, the writers’ group hosted professional writers’ panels to address such relevant topics as freelance writing, developing ideas, connecting with readers, and getting published.
“Finding these talented people who live in Grand County and have stories to tell is extremely rewarding. I love working with such a diverse group of people with different writing styles and stories to tell.”
Expanding Resources
Committed to the education of our community, the Library Foundation initiated eLearning programs. Keeping in mind distance and accessibility, a Universal Class System and a Learning Express were deployed in 2012. Since then, Grand County Library District has tailored digital resources to meet the needs of growing communities. Currently, 13 different eLearning tools are available to the public. These tools include world language lessons through Rosetta Stone, promoting current events with online Denver Post or RBDigital magazines, and legal document composition through NuWav.