Vail Public Library Celebrates 35 Years in our 292 West Meadow Drive Location
Vail Public Library’s current location opened on July 4, 1983. We are celebrating 35 years in this building by looking back at some of the highlights in the library’s history since the 1960s. Be sure to visit the Hauserman table at the front of the library and take a peek at the timeline.
1963
Stan Olin of the Colorado State Library works with locals – Betty Seibert and Fran Moretti to set up a ‘library demonstration’ in the new ski town on Vail.
1964
Vail’s first library opens
- Located in the Plaza Building on Bridge Street in the shop “Vali-Hi Books ‘n Things”
- Staffed by volunteers and the shopkeeper, Fran Moretti
- Children’s Story Hour is held in Pepi’sBar on Saturday mornings
- 600 titles.
1973
- Vail Library moves from the Vail Firehouse to the basement of the Municipal Building.
- 600 square foot space grows to 18,000 titles.
- $6500 of the County Library budget ($60,000) goes to staff for Vail Library.
1978 / 1979
Plans begin for building a library in Vail.
- Locals present a petition to Town officials asking for a library.
- Librarian Charlyn Canada and Town officials work to fund and build a library.
1980 / 1983
- Construction starts in 1980.
- Vail Public Library officially opens July 4, 1983.
- First Lady Betty Ford is the keynote speaker at the dedication.
1991
- Etched Glass Doors for the Children’s Room are completed, by Don Young Glass Studio.
- The doors are a gift to Vail Public Library from Dr. Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Foundation.
2012
Following a 9 month renovation,Vail Public Library celebrated its Grand Reopening on March 8, 2013
Upgrades include:
- Interior remodel
- Book stacks
- Interior lighting
- Service Desk
- Social technology center
- Audio visual equipment for the Community Room
- Lower Level: Staff offices and a classroom
2018
Today, in addition to its programs and partnerships, Vail Public Library serves over 100,000 users in and out of Eagle County through its print, digital, CD and DVD collections.