Denver Public Library: John "Thunderbird Man" Emhoolah, Jr. Branch Library — Attraction in Denver

This is one of the smallest Denver Library branches, but the building is a gem with gorgeous architectural details inside and out. It is a Carnegie library, constructed in 1918 by father and son architects, Varian & Varian. The style is Spanish eclectic with brick, stone, and painted concrete. The exterior window details and main entrance with highly-decorated arches and columns plus the gabled, tile roof provide a very impressive facade. The interior is a single room with vaulted ceilings, a fireplace, and a mural by Carlota Espinoza (Pasado, Presente, Futuro). The building was restored in 2020-2021 and is in fine condition.

This was originally the Byers branch. William N. Byers was the owner/editor of Denver's first newspaper and a vigorous Denver booster. He pushed for a post office in Denver and was the first Denver postmaster. He was a founder of the Denver Tramway Company and constantly promoted infrastructure improvements. He became less active and moved south of town after his mistress tried to shoot him while he and his wife were taking a stroll.

Mr. Byers' reputation has fallen out of fashion in recent years due to his promotion and perpetuation of a completely phoney "Indian War." Byers used his newspaper to gin up hysterical rhetoric which led directly to the infamous Sand Creek Massacre in 1864. Byers continued to promote the vicious murder of over 200 peaceful, elderly men, women, and children as a great victory, despite all evidence to the contrary.

The branch was renamed for John "Thunderbird Man" Emhoolah, Jr. on October 21, 2021 after considerable community discussion. Mr. Emhoolah was a Kiowa activist also with Arapaho roots and a descendent of survivors of the Sand Creek Massacre. He served in the Korean War and as an engineer at Boeing, but is noted for a 50-year career in Native American studies and education, in Seattle and Denver. He was also a tribal administrator and a prominent community leader, in Denver...

Well the way I feel about this Library it's a small place very convenient.. but the biggest problem is - the staff that works there, they are very rude and very unprofessional when it comes to their occupation. they're discriminating some of my friends that come to this Library even when I walk in this Library I feel a bad vibe I just feel unwanted there I don't even feel safe there at times i just hope this changes as soon as possible and have a new staff there including a new security guard.. the staff that works there including the security guard need to be terminated or trained... the staff needs to learn how to react towards people that goes to Byers Branch Library.. there is a lot of discrimination going on there towards the homeless, GLBT and also people that suffering from mental illnesses, mental disabilities and also people with addictions.. we are all human beings and we deserve to be treated like a human beings and also be in a safe environment. We demand a change at Byers Branch Library or else this complaint will be filed to a...

Security guard and librarian block the handicap space with a traffic cone and sign saying parking is only for library use, yes i went to do a drug test but that doesn’t give them the right to block the handicap space for ANY handicapped people trying to use it regardless of them using the library first or going in another neighboring business, i hope they educate themselves on American Disability Act and the tow laws of Denver Colorado regarding parking management

Security guard was a giant black guy that tried to come off as a bully along with his little henchmen librarian that was of Indian or hispanic ethnicity that definitely could use a toothbrush and a haircut, maybe thats why they’re so upset is they got rotten teeth and have to much hair on their head

I highly recommend going to ANY OTHER LIBRARY this one is full of homeless people, it reeks of urine, meth and fentanyl but they’re worried about someone with a disability using their parking lot for 10 minutes

Btw the tow truck never showed up with traffic and everything else...