Library
Belmar Library
555 S Allison Parkway, Lakewood, CO 80226
“The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.”
The public library is a sacred place. Centered in and for a community, the public library is a place of lifelong learning for all people. If you are searching for information, your next great read, a quiet workplace, educational programs for your children, or assistance with technology, the public library is a place that provides help. Libraries do not only connect us to information, they connect us to each other. In the walls of the local library, neighbors are invited to encounter each other and share smiles.
My local library is the Belmar Library in Lakewood. Their mission is to “build an educated and vibrant community by providing equal access to information and opportunities.” Opened in 2000, the Belmar Library is located on land donated to the city of Lakewood by the Bonfils-Stanton estate. May Bonfils, heiress of the Denver Post fortune, built her home, the Belmar Mansion, on this land in the 1930’s. While the mansion no longer exists, a gate from May’s original home, and the open space she preserved, are now enjoyed in Belmar Park. For me, The Belmar Library it is a both a serene and sacred space with inspiring views of the park outside the wall of windows.
I was at my library this last week, seeking out information about some health concerns. As I walked in, I saw a few former students. I learned what books they are reading. We shared stories. I left the library with information, but I also left being more connected to my community.
The library is a place to read, rest, learn, and grow. Within the library you learn more about yourself and your world. It is a place of wisdom and wonder. The public library is a sacred place.
Written by Sarah Hammershaimb, public and school librarian
