William H. Smiley Branch Library
🏢 Denver Public Library · Denver, Colorado
William H. Smiley Branch Library
A century-old English cottage tucked into Berkeley Park, Smiley Branch has served northwest Denver since 1918 — named for school superintendent William H. Smiley and cherished today as a Denver Landmark on the National Register of Historic Places, its Carnegie design so admired that the Corporation requested it as a model for other libraries.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–8pm |
| 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: 4501 W. 46th Ave., Denver, CO 80212
Phone: (720) 865-0260
Website: denverlibrary.org
Plus Code: 85FPQXJ3+6X (Denver, CO)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About William H. Smiley Branch Library
The William H. Smiley Branch Library opened in September 1918 as one of four Denver branches funded by an $80,000 Carnegie Corporation grant approved in December 1916. Designed by Denver architect Park French (of Mountjoy, French & Frewen) in an English cottage style, the $20,000 building was so admired that the Carnegie Corporation requested photographs and a written description to share as a model for other branches. The branch honors William H. Smiley, who served as principal of Denver Public Schools from 1892 to 1912 and then superintendent until 1924 — earning the title 'the grand old man of education in Colorado.' Designated a Denver Landmark in 1989 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building was renovated in 2021 under the Elevate Denver Bond Program — a $1.4 million project by Studiotrope Design Collective and Interlock Construction Corp. that modernized the entrance, community room, children's area, elevator, and ADA access while preserving the historic facade.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Opened September 1918 as one of Denver's original four Carnegie Corporation–funded branch libraries — designed as a Carnegie model for other branches
- English cottage–style building by Denver architect Park French; designated a Denver Landmark (1989) and on the National Register of Historic Places
- $1.4 million Elevate Denver Bond renovation completed 2021: new community room, children's area, elevator, HVAC, and ADA upgrades (Studiotrope Design Collective)
- Named for William H. Smiley, superintendent of Denver Public Schools (1912–1924), 'the grand old man of education in Colorado'
- Wednesday evening hours (10am–8pm) make it one of the few northwest-Denver branches open late mid-week
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Every Denver Public Library card unlocks a full suite of free digital resources — ebooks, audiobooks, streaming video, language courses, and music — available 24/7 from home.
📚 Services
- Public computers and free Wi-Fi
- Copy, print, fax, and scan services
- Reservable community/meeting room
- Curbside hold pickup and outdoor book drop
- Free Narcan kits (harm-reduction health resource)
- Healthy Kid Snack Program (free snacks for youth 18 and under)
- Food Box Program — fresh produce and dairy for families (partnership with The Growhaus)
- Sensory toolkit and language support services
- ADA-accessible entrance with button-operated doors and accessible parking
🎸 Programs
- Children's programming in the renovated children's area
- Branch events for all ages — see denverlibrary.org/events for current schedule
- Healthy Food for Denver's Kids Initiative — free snacks and food boxes for families
📍 Other Denver Public Library Branches
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was William H. Smiley, and why is this library named after him?
William H. Smiley was a pioneering Denver educator who served as principal of Denver Public Schools from 1892 to 1912 and then superintendent until 1924. Known as 'the grand old man of education in Colorado,' his lifelong commitment to public learning was recognized when the branch opened in 1918 during his tenure as superintendent. Both this library and Smiley Middle School in Denver carry his name.
Is this a historic building, and what changed in the 2021 renovation?
Yes. The 1918 English cottage–style building is a designated Denver Landmark (since 1989) and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The $1.4 million Elevate Denver Bond renovation — designed by Studiotrope Design Collective and completed in 2021 — preserved the historic exterior while upgrading the entrance, community room, children's area, elevator, HVAC, electrical, and ADA accessibility features.
Why was Smiley Branch originally built inside Berkeley Park rather than on a commercial street?
The parkside location was intentional: city planners placed the branch 'for the special use of the large groups of children who play there daily, and who will skate there in the winter time.' It was part of a deliberate effort to bring reading to Denver's neighborhoods where residents already gathered. The branch was one of four Denver branches funded by a $80,000 Carnegie Corporation grant approved in December 1916.
Does Smiley Branch offer any food or nutrition programs?
Yes. The branch participates in Denver Public Library's Healthy Kid Snack Program, distributing free snacks to youth 18 and under, and in the Food Box Program — a partnership with The Growhaus that provides boxes of fresh produce, dairy, and groceries to families with children 18 and under. Free Narcan kits are also available for harm-reduction purposes.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.