Sarah Platt Decker Branch Library
🏢 Denver Public Library · Denver, Colorado
Sarah Platt Decker Branch Library
A Carnegie gem in Platt Park since 1913, the Decker Branch occupies a Denver Landmark Elizabethan-cottage building adorned with two century-old Dudley Carpenter murals — named for suffragist Sarah Platt Decker, whose advocacy helped Colorado women win the vote 27 years before the 19th Amendment.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–6pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 1501 S. Logan St., Denver, CO 80210
Phone: (720) 865-0220
Website: denverlibrary.org
Plus Code: 85FQM2Q8+MQ (Denver, CO)
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📖 About Sarah Platt Decker Branch Library
The Sarah Platt Decker Branch Library opened on June 17, 1913, as the second of Denver's Carnegie-funded branches. Designed by Denver architects Marean and Norton in an Elizabethan cottage style, the building features leaded diamond-paned windows, a green-tile gabled roof, ornate twisted chimneys, and red brick trimmed in creamy terracotta — so distinctive that it was designated a Denver Landmark by the Landmark Preservation Commission in 1984. Inside, two Dudley Carpenter murals from 1913 still hang above the fireplaces: The Pied Piper of Hamelin in the children's room and The Lady of the Lake and the Sword Excalibur in the reading room. The branch honors Sarah Platt Decker (1856–1912), founding president of the Denver Women's Club and national president of the General Federation of Women's Clubs (1904–1908), whose advocacy was pivotal in Colorado becoming one of the first states to grant women the right to vote in 1893 — 27 years before the 19th Amendment.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Carnegie-funded Elizabethan-cottage building (1913) by Marean & Norton — designated a Denver Landmark in 1984
- Two original 1913 interior murals by Denver artist Dudley Carpenter: The Pied Piper of Hamelin (children's room) and The Lady of the Lake (reading room)
- Named for Sarah Platt Decker (1856–1912), Colorado suffragist and national president of the General Federation of Women's Clubs (1904–1908)
- Leaded diamond-paned windows, green-tile gable roof, and twisted chimneys — all preserved in the century-old structure
- Wednesday Family Storytime (10:30 AM) and Toddler Storytime in the branch's children's room
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Every Denver Public Library card unlocks a full suite of free digital resources — ebooks, audiobooks, streaming films, language courses, and music — available 24/7.
📚 Services
- Public computers and free Wi-Fi
- Copy, print, fax, and scan services
- Reservable meeting room (groups of 4+)
- Study rooms (up to 2 hours/day, no card required)
- Curbside hold pickup and outdoor book drop
- Free Narcan kits (harm-reduction health resource)
- Sensory toolkit and language support services
- ADA-accessible entrance with button-operated doors and accessible parking
🎸 Programs
- Family Storytime — Wednesdays 10:30 AM (stories, songs, and rhymes for all ages)
- Toddler Storytime (ages 18–36 months with caregivers)
- Branch events calendar — see denverlibrary.org/events for current schedule
📍 Other Denver Public Library Branches
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Sarah Platt Decker, and why is this library named for her?
Sarah Platt Decker (1856–1912) was a Denver civic leader who founded the Denver Women's Club and served as national president of the General Federation of Women's Clubs from 1904 to 1908. Her advocacy was instrumental in Colorado becoming one of the first states to grant women the right to vote in 1893 — 27 years before the 19th Amendment extended that right nationally. She also championed the establishment of Mesa Verde National Park in 1906. When she died in 1912, Denver city offices closed at noon and flags flew at half-mast. The Carnegie branch opened the following year near James H. Platt Park — named for her second husband — and was dedicated in her honor.
What are the two historic murals inside the Decker Branch, and who painted them?
Denver artist Dudley Carpenter painted both murals in 1913 for the branch's opening. The children's room fireplace bears a 6-by-8-foot mural depicting The Pied Piper of Hamelin, while the reading room fireplace features a larger 12-by-14-foot mural of The Lady of the Lake and the Sword Excalibur from Arthurian legend. Both murals remain in place today, making Decker one of the few Denver branch libraries with original Carnegie-era artwork still on display.
Is the Decker Branch building historically protected?
Yes. The 1913 Elizabethan-cottage building was designated a Denver Landmark by the Denver Landmark Preservation Commission in 1984. Designed by architects Marean and Norton, it features a green-tile gable roof, ornate twisted chimneys, leaded diamond-paned windows, and red brick with terracotta trim. The building was renovated in 1993 to update the interior while preserving the historic facade.
Can I stream movies or borrow ebooks without visiting the branch?
Yes. Denver Public Library card holders can borrow ebooks and audiobooks through Libby (DPL's largest digital collection) and stream films through Kanopy — available free to Denver residents. Additional digital platforms include Freegal for music, Mango Languages for language learning, and PressReader for newspapers — all accessible at denverlibrary.org/downloads with a valid library card. Any Colorado resident can obtain a free DPL card.
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