What is BLDG 61 at Boulder Public Library?

BLDG 61 is a free community makerspace at the Main Library with laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC machines, woodshop tools, sewing machines, screen printing equipment, vinyl cutters, and an electronics bench. It is staffed by expert Creative Technologists. Free to use with a library card.

Can I access Boulder Public Library digital resources from home?

Yes. With a free library card you can access Libby/OverDrive (eBooks and audiobooks), Hoopla (no wait lists), Kanopy (30,000+ streaming films), Creativebug, Udemy (nearly 20,000 courses), New York Times, Washington Post, Comics Plus, and dozens of research databases from any device.

Does Boulder Public Library have free WiFi?

Yes. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the Main Library during open hours, along with public computers, printing, copying, and scanning services.

Boulder Public Library - Main Library Hours, Address & Services | Boulder, Colorado

Q: What are the Boulder Public Library Main Library hours?

Monday through Thursday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Saturday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Sunday: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Hours may vary on holidays.

Q: Is Boulder Public Library fine-free?

Yes. Since March 1, 2019, the Boulder Public Library District does not charge overdue fines on any materials. Charges apply only to lost or damaged items.

Q: How do I get a Boulder Public Library card?

Library cards are free for Boulder Public Library District and Boulder County residents. Apply online at boulderlibrary.org for instant digital access, or visit any branch in person with a photo ID and proof of current address.

Q: Does Boulder Public Library have a BCycle pass?

Yes. Boulder Public Library offers a BCycle Library Pass that lets cardholders access Boulder's bike-share system using their library card.

📍 1001 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80302 | Open in Google Maps ↗

City of Boulder — Boulder County, Colorado

Boulder Public Library — Main Library

Flagship of the Boulder Public Library District — Home of BLDG 61 Makerspace & Canyon Theater

Official Website
(303) 441-3100

📍 Address

1001 Arapahoe Ave
Boulder, CO 80302

🕐 Hours

Mon–Thu 9 AM–7 PM
Fri 9–5 | Sat 10–5 | Sun 12–5

🏔️ District

Boulder Public Library District
Independent since Nov. 2022

About Boulder Public Library — Main Library

The Boulder Public Library Main Library is the flagship of the Boulder Public Library District, serving as a dynamic hub of education, creativity, and community connection in the heart of downtown Boulder, Colorado. The library's history dates to 1906, when a $15,000 Andrew Carnegie gift funded the city's first purpose-built library on Pine Street — a structure architect Thomas McLaren modeled after a small Greek temple. The library moved to its Canyon Boulevard location in 1961, with the new building dedicated on November 12, 1961, at a cost of $486,437. A major addition in 1992 established its current Arapahoe Avenue address, and significant renovations beginning in 2014 — funded by $2.45 million in municipal bonds — brought the facility to its present form.

Today the Main Library spans an impressive 92,164 square feet across two interconnected buildings linked by a distinctive glass-enclosed walkway over Boulder Creek, offering views of the creek below. Following a November 2022 voter referendum, the library now operates as an independent district rather than a city department. Annual visitation has climbed to approximately 1 million visitors per year, with circulation exceeding 1.4 million items. The collection includes over 333,000 physical items plus tens of thousands of digital resources.

The Main Library campus includes the Canyon Theater — a performance and screening venue for films, live events, and community gatherings — and the celebrated BLDG 61 Makerspace, a free community workshop staffed by expert Creative Technologists. The Boulder Public Library District currently operates five branch locations: Main Library, Carnegie Library for Local History, George Reynolds Branch, Meadows Branch, and the NoBo Branch (opened June 2024).

Boulder Public Library by the Numbers

92,164

sq ft Main Library

~1M

annual visitors

333K+

physical items

district branches

1906

founded (Carnegie)

✨

Fine-Free Library Since March 1, 2019!

Boulder Public Library does not charge overdue fines on any materials, including items borrowed from other libraries in the shared catalog. Charges apply only to lost or damaged items. Renew online at boulderlibrary.org, by phone at (303) 441-3100, or in person at any branch.

Library Hours

Monday	9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday	9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday	9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday	9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday	9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday	10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday	12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Hours may vary on holidays. Check boulderlibrary.org for current holiday closures.

Services Offered

📚 Books, DVDs, audiobooks & magazines (333,000+ items)
🔧 BLDG 61 Makerspace — free community workshop
🎭 Canyon Theater — performances & screenings
💻 Free Wi-Fi & public computer workstations
🖨 Printing, copying & scanning services
🔄 Interlibrary Loan (ILL) — borrow from any library
🚲 BCycle Library Pass — free bike-share access
📖 Paper & Spine used bookstore on-site
🌱 Seed to Table programs & seed library
🏫 Meeting rooms, study rooms & event spaces
👨‍👩‍👧 Kids, teen & adult programming year-round

BLDG 61 Makerspace — The Free Community Workshop That Sets Boulder Apart

One of Boulder Public Library's most celebrated features is BLDG 61 — a free community makerspace and workshop in the North Building on the Canyon Blvd side of the Main Library campus. Staffed by expert Creative Technologists who teach and assist every visitor, BLDG 61 provides access to professional-grade equipment at no cost. Simply show up during open studio hours or book a tool appointment online at boulderlibrary.org.

⚙️ Digital Fabrication

3D Printers — staff-assisted; file approval required
Laser Cutters — appointment required
CNC Machines & CNC Router — appointment required
Vinyl Cutters — design, decals & signage

🪵 Woodshop & Crafts

Woodshop — power tools & hand tools; appointment required
Sewing Machines & Sergers — open studio drop-in
Looms — fiber arts & weaving
Screen Printing Equipment — appointment required

🔌 Electronics & Design

Electronics Workbench — boards, sensors & motors
Airbrush — art finishing & spray coatings
Design Software — Adobe Creative Cloud & Rhino on-site
Creative Technologists — expert staff to guide every project

🎭 Canyon Theater

The Canyon Theater is an on-site performance and screening venue in the North Building adjacent to BLDG 61. It hosts film screenings, live performances, lectures, and community events throughout the year — making the Main Library a true cultural destination, not just a place to borrow books.

📧 BLDG 61 contact: makerspaces@boulderlibrary.org | 📱 Text: (303) 351-1955 | All equipment is free to use with a library card. No experience necessary — Creative Technologists are always on hand to help.

Programs & Events

👶 Children & Teen Programs

Storytime Bilingual, STEAM & virtual formats	Multiple times weekly
Summer of Discovery All ages — reading & activities	June – August
BLDG 61 Teen Programs Hands-on making & tech workshops	Ongoing
Kids & Family Services Crafts, games, learning activities	Year-round
Educator Resources Class visits & curriculum support	By appointment

👥 Adult & Community Programs

One Book One Boulder Bi-annual community read & discussion	Spring & Fall
BPLD Presents Lectures, author talks & performances	Year-round
Seed to Table Gardening, cooking & food programs	Seasonal
Arts & Exhibitions Visual arts, sculpture galleries	Ongoing
BLDG 61 Open Studio Drop-in making for all skill levels	Weekly

Digital Resources — Access from Anywhere

With a free Boulder Public Library card, you have 24/7 access to a comprehensive suite of digital resources from any device, anywhere. Log in at boulderlibrary.org with your card number and PIN.

eBooks, Audiobooks & Streaming

📱

Libby (OverDrive)
Borrow eBooks, audiobooks & digital magazines. Download the free Libby app and sign in with your card number.
🎵

Hoopla
Stream or download eBooks, audiobooks, movies, TV, music — no wait lists. Borrow up to 4 eBooks/month.
🎬

Kanopy
Stream 30,000+ independent films, documentaries & Great Courses. Works on Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick, iOS & Android.
🎨

Creativebug
1,000+ award-winning art & craft video classes available 24/7.
📚

Comics Plus & Bibliotele
Unlimited digital comics, graphic novels & manga; plus Spanish-language films, series & theater productions.

Learning Platforms & Databases

🎓

Udemy
Nearly 20,000 online courses in business, tech & professional development.
📝

Brainfuse
Live homework tutoring & job coaching daily 2–11 PM MST. Career Online High School accredited diploma program also available.
📰

New York Times & Washington Post
Full digital access. Wall Street Journal available in-library. NewsBank covers 3,000+ U.S. & 6,000+ international newspapers.
💰

Consumer Reports & Morningstar
Product reviews & ratings plus investment analysis & research tools.
🌳

Ancestry Library Edition & HeritageQuest
Genealogy databases & census records. Auto Repair Source & Colorado Grants Guide also available.

Getting a Library Card

A Boulder Public Library card is free for residents of the Boulder Public Library District and Boulder County. Apply online for instant access to digital services, or visit any branch in person to get your physical card.

What You’ll Need

Primary ID (one required):

Driver’s license, passport, or government-issued photo ID

Proof of Current Address:

Driver’s license showing current address
Postmarked mail (utility bill, bank statement)
Car registration or current lease

Ages 13–17: valid photo ID or parent/guardian present. Ages 12 and under: parent or guardian must apply in person. Ages 60+: eligible for a senior account with extra benefits.

Collection & Card Highlights

Physical items in collection	333,000+
Annual circulation	1.4 million+
Annual visitors	~1 million
Main Library size	92,164 sq ft
District branches	5 locations
Card cost	Free
Online card application	Available
Overdue fines	None (since 2019)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Boulder Public Library Main Library hours?

The Main Library is open seven days a week:

Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Hours may vary on holidays. Always check boulderlibrary.org or call (303) 441-3100 for current holiday closures before your visit.

Is Boulder Public Library fine-free?

Yes, since March 1, 2019. The Boulder Public Library District eliminated all overdue fines on library materials, including items borrowed from other libraries in the shared catalog. There are no late fees for returning materials past their due date. Charges apply only to lost or damaged items. You can renew materials online at boulderlibrary.org, by phone at (303) 441-3100, or in person at any branch.

What is BLDG 61 and who can use it?

BLDG 61 is a free community makerspace at the Main Library — one of the best in Colorado. It is staffed by expert Creative Technologists who teach and assist every visitor. Equipment includes laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC machines, a woodshop, sewing machines, sergers, looms, screen printing equipment, vinyl cutters, an electronics workbench, and an airbrush station. Design software (Adobe Creative Cloud, Rhino) is available on-site computers.

Anyone with a library card can use BLDG 61 for free. Some equipment requires appointments or file pre-approval; other tools (sewing machines, sergers) are open drop-in. Contact the makerspace at makerspaces@boulderlibrary.org or text (303) 351-1955 for scheduling and information.

Can I access digital resources from home?

Yes — with your free library card and PIN, you can access from any device, anywhere:

Libby (OverDrive) — eBooks, audiobooks & digital magazines
Hoopla — eBooks, audiobooks, movies, TV & music (no wait lists)
Kanopy — 30,000+ streaming films & documentaries
Creativebug — 1,000+ art & craft video classes
Udemy — nearly 20,000 professional development courses
New York Times & Washington Post — full digital access
Comics Plus, Bibliotele, Brainfuse, NewsBank, Ancestry and many more

Visit boulderlibrary.org and sign in with your card number and PIN to get started.

How do I get a Boulder Public Library card?

Library cards are free for Boulder Public Library District and Boulder County residents. You can apply online at boulderlibrary.org for instant access to digital services. To get a physical card, visit any branch with a photo ID and proof of current address. For children 12 and under, a parent or guardian must be present. Teens 13–17 need a photo ID or a parent/guardian with them.

Is there free WiFi at Boulder Public Library?

Yes — free Wi-Fi is available throughout the entire Main Library during open hours. Public computer workstations are also available for in-library internet access. The library provides printing, copying, and scanning services as well.

Does Boulder Public Library have a BCycle pass?

Yes! Boulder Public Library offers a BCycle Library Pass that lets cardholders access Boulder’s bike-share system using their library card. It’s a great way to combine a library visit with exploring the city by bike — Boulder’s extensive trail and bike lane network connects the Main Library along Boulder Creek Path to many city destinations.