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Leadville library reports rising usage, large unexpected donation and plans for programs and archives
Summary
Leadville Public Library Director Brenna Smith reported 2024 usage statistics, said the library is part of the Marmot consortium, and disclosed a surprise legacy gift of about $252,787.52 that the library plans to use for capital projects and an endowment.
Brenna Smith, director of the Leadville Public Library, gave the Board of County Commissioners an overview of library operations, collections and a recent large donation during the Feb. 20 work session.
Smith said the library holds roughly 30,000 print items, participates in the Marmot Library Network and Prospector systems for interlibrary loan and e‑resources, and operates a tool library and a suite of loanable items. She reported that in 2024 the library ran 337 programs with a combined attendance of about 3,522 people and managed more than 27,000 total checkouts across formats.
Smith also said the library added 834 new borrowers last year and currently has approximately 4,630 active borrowers. She noted growth in Spanish‑language children’s materials and the library’s role as a net lender in the consortium.
On philanthropy, Smith said the library received an unexpected estate gift in the previous winter: a check for $252,787.52. She said the library and the Lake County Community Fund are working on an endowment plan that would split the funds into a higher‑yield portion and a smaller fund to support immediate programming such as author visits and special events.
Smith described local history holdings and said the library hosts digital collections and supports the Lake County Civic Center Association and the local heritage museum with digital archiving and image sales. She said the library has no late‑fee policy and has relaxed replacement fees for children’s materials.
Commissioners thanked Smith and asked to be invited to future library programs and tours; no county appropriation was requested or voted on at the session.
