Pauline Robinson Branch Library
🏢 Denver Public Library · Denver, Colorado
Pauline Robinson Branch Library
Named for Pauline Short Robinson (1915–1997) — the first African American hired as a librarian in Denver and the city's longtime Coordinator of Children Services — this Northeast Park Hill branch honors a pioneering career spanning 36 years with Denver Public Library.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–6pm |
| Thursday | 10am–8pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 5575 East 33rd Avenue, Denver, CO 80207
Phone: (720) 865-0290
Website: denverlibrary.org
Plus Code: 85FQQ37G+GW (Denver, CO)
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📖 About Pauline Robinson Branch Library
Pauline Robinson Branch Library serves the Northeast Park Hill neighborhood of Denver from its location at 5575 East 33rd Avenue. It opened in 1996, named in honor of Pauline Short Robinson, who in 1945 became the first African American librarian hired in the city of Denver. Robinson spent 36 years with Denver Public Library, including 15 years as Coordinator of Children Services, expanding summer reading programs and literacy initiatives across the city; she was inducted into the Blacks in Colorado Hall of Fame in 1973 and posthumously into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 2000. Today the branch provides public computers, meeting spaces, printing and scanning services, and sensory toolkit access, while its Thursday evening hours until 8 p.m. give working families an extra chance to visit after school and work. DPL cardholders can access the full catalog at catalog.denverlibrary.org plus digital platforms including Libby, Kanopy, and Freegal Music.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Named for Pauline Short Robinson (1915–1997), the first African American librarian in Denver — a trailblazer who served 36 years with DPL and was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame
- Serves the Northeast Park Hill neighborhood, one of Denver's historically significant African American communities
- Open Thursday evenings until 8 p.m. — the latest weeknight hours at this branch for after-work and after-school visits
- Sensory toolkit available for patrons with sensory needs, reflecting DPL's commitment to inclusive access
- Meeting spaces available for community reservations, plus free Narcan kits through community health resources
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Denver Public Library cardholders can stream, download, and research free with these digital tools:
📚 Services
- Public computers, printing, copying, faxing & scanning
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the branch
- Meeting space reservations for community use
- Sensory toolkit for patrons with sensory needs
- Bike parking and outdoor seating
- Accessible parking and ADA button-operated doors
- Language support services
- Free Narcan kits (community health resource)
- Interlibrary loan through the Denver Public Library system
🎸 Programs
- Branch events and community programming
- Children's storytimes and youth literacy programs
- Summer reading challenge for all ages
- Adult digital literacy and technology assistance
- Book discussions and reader's advisory
📍 Nearby Libraries in Northeast Denver
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Pauline Robinson, and why is this library named after her?
Pauline Short Robinson (1915–1997) was the first African American hired as a librarian in Denver, beginning her career at the Cosmopolitan Branch in the Five Points neighborhood in 1945. She spent 36 years with Denver Public Library, including 15 years as Coordinator of Children Services, and was inducted into the Blacks in Colorado Hall of Fame in 1973 and the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame posthumously in 2000. When the Northeast Park Hill branch opened in 1996, the city named it in her honor to recognize her pioneering legacy.
What neighborhood does the Pauline Robinson Branch Library serve?
The branch is located at 5575 East 33rd Avenue in the Northeast Park Hill neighborhood of Denver — a historically significant African American community on the city's east side. Park Hill Branch Library is about 1.2 miles away and shares the same service area.
Which evening is the branch open latest, and is it open on Sundays?
The branch is open latest on Thursdays, until 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday it closes at 6 p.m., and Friday through Saturday at 5 p.m. The library is closed on Sundays.
Does the branch offer sensory-friendly services?
Yes. The Pauline Robinson Branch Library provides a sensory toolkit for patrons with sensory needs, as part of Denver Public Library's broader commitment to inclusive, accessible service. Staff can assist with accommodations — call 720-865-0290 in advance if you have specific needs.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
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