Denver Public Library: Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library — Attraction in Denver

As a Black Woman my experience definitely left a lasting impression on me at Five Points. Perhaps the leadership at this location could really look into what authentic "community mindfulness" actually means when a community member brings forth a concern forward and more importantly exhibit much more professionalism and grace speaking to a person. The interaction clearly shows "not welcomed", seemingly other "patrons are more than welcomed" however. As an avid library patron I have never had an interaction like this with a library staff at any library in my lifetime before and hope to never experience this again.

This morning I was delighted to visit the reopened library, however had an unsettling experience during my visit. After finding reading material and sitting down in the tabled area I could not concentrate as a group of white individuals was loudly discussing matters in the communal space. After a few minutes, thinking maybe they would be more mindful about others in the library and consider other patrons , I asked the staff about a quiet place to read due to the noise, and was directed to a small study room on the same level of the library. Unfortunately even there with the doors closed I could hear the individuals the entire time who had a meeting in the middle of the library even though there were empty large meeting rooms available for them as well. After reading I continued my visit of the library.

Upon returning home, I wanted to inquire and share about my experience during the visit with the library staff and called the branch to speak to a supervisor. The woman on the phone identified as Branch Supervisor of the library. I asked her if she knew if there was a meeting in the library earlier today before sharing my entire experience. She proceeded to tell me that perhaps there was a "walkthrough" and she was not "present" and the intention of the redesigned seating area. When I wanted to add to the purpose of my call and share my experience with her to provide additional clarity as to why my call took place in the first place, she said that I am "interrupting her" and "that she will not be interrupted.” I tried to inform her that I am not interrupting but want to give additional context to my call since this has not been shared with her yet, at which point her tone quickly turned into a hostile interaction of not wanting to hear anything I had to say. This supervisor did not allow me to fully explain the situation (or even share with her any additional detail) and proceeded to speak with hostility and belittling me by laughing at me after claiming that she was not going to allow me to "interrupt her" and that I should “go ahead and speak to her superior that would tell me the same thing.” Before ending the conversation I advised her to have these conversations recorded to use them as training opportunity to reflect on how a conversation with a library guest is approached. She hung up the phone on me.

This interaction absolutely did not need to have been handled in this manner nor did I anticipate how my call was...

The library itself is cool. I haven't seen another library like it that is focused on African-American authors and the community.

My main issue is the fact that it seems the library has become a form of temporary housing for the homeless residents of the community. I get that this is a difficult situation and it's where the policies around public space intersect with the homelessness epidemic in the city.

Though, if I can't get up from my study room and go use the bathroom because I am too concerned my stuff will get stolen; or I have to use the bathroom with the door open while everyone in lobby gets to hear me go to the restroom; or the library collections room is treated like Fort Knox out of fear of their books being stolen, then that is a problem. The library was not designed to be a homeless shelter and the staff seems unsympathetic.

There are possible solutions to this problem. Put locks on the study rooms and provide keys when people use them so they can lock their room while they use the bathroom or use electronic locks that can only be opened with the library card of the person the room is assigned to for their time period.

Put timers on the bathrooms and make it so people have to use their library cards to enter. Or keep the keys to the bathroom at the security desk.

Similar solutions above could be used for the collections room or and there are other options as well. How long would it take to put RFID chips in all the collection books? If they are that valuable wouldn't it be worth doing? I am sure that would lower any insurance liabilities the library has for keeping their collections insured.

These are just some ideas but I am going to stop going to this library and head to a different one much farther away because it's such hassle to be a patron at this library. The library seems either unwilling, unable, and/or ill-equipped to handle the realities of the community...

I've only been in Denver for a couple of days. I went to the Central Location and everyone was phenomenal and it's a very nice facility. I came to the Blair-Caldwell location because the Central One is closed on Friday. The supervisor Jameka is either racially motivated or biased against the homeless, but when I asked for a study room she said none were available. The next non-Black and non-homeless person that came in, she was all of a sudden able to check for them and give them a study room. Jameka, your unprofessionalism shows and you should be ashamed of yourself.

Edit: The next day I went back because Central Library was closed again. Jameka not only opened the library a few minutes late, but she also had staff moving around the couches and chairs which resulted in me having to wait about 10 minutes to sit down. Yesterday, she told me there were no reservations for the study room, that they were first come first served. Like the patient person I am, I waited until the time that she said and she continues to let several people who come early in front of me.

I don't know how this woman is a supervisor. It's not against the law to discriminate against people based on their weight. I would certainly never hire someone to be in charge of people who can't even control what they put in their mouth. Jameka is the 1% when it comes to body weight, not...