Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library

Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library The Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library is part of the Denver Public Library. Webb and First Lady Wilma J. Webb had a shared vision.

The Denver Public Library Commission named the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library. Former Mayor Wellington Webb and First Lady Wilma Webb proposed the name, which combines the last names of Omar Blair, the first black president of the Denver school board, and Elvin Caldwell, the first black City Council member. Background: A Missing Piece of History
Denver Former Mayor Wellington E.

They envisioned a research library and museum to preserve and showcase the many contributions of African Americans to Colorado and the West. Much of that history was in private hands — those of political leaders, community organizations, churches and individuals. Other history was unwritten, still in the heads and hearts of those who had lived it. In 1999, during his third term as Mayor of Denver, Mayor and Mrs. Webb saw the urgent need to collect this legacy in one place before it was lost forever. They proposed construction of an African American Research Library as part of the Denver Public Library system. “There’s so much history, and we need to capture that for young people,” he said. “So much of it is in boxes, in basements, or in our heads.” And so the journey of gathering that history began. By 2000, the Denver Public Library had engaged consultants and a community advisory committee to help plan the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library. Public meetings were held with neighborhoods that would use the facility, and Library staff began to collect personal and professional papers, publications, photographs, works of art and other memorabilia of distinguished African Americans from all walks of life. Finally, groundbreaking for the new library took place in early 2002. The Library continues to thrive as a neighborhood branch, a research library and museum. Plan your visit to the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library today.

Hello June! Celebrate this month of summer and Pride with us at the library!
06/01/2026

Hello June! Celebrate this month of summer and Pride with us at the library!

Let's read together at Storytime this week!
05/31/2026

Let's read together at Storytime this week!

49 years ago today, Blair-Caldwell namesake Omar D. Blair became Denver’s first Black president of the Denver School Boa...
05/25/2026

49 years ago today, Blair-Caldwell namesake Omar D. Blair became Denver’s first Black president of the Denver School Board. In addition to our library, Omar Blair has been recognized many times for his legacy as a Tuskegee Airman, social leader, and education advocate who worked to end desegregation in Denver’s schools. We take Omar Blair’s legacy and impact seriously, but we want to celebrate him with this photo that shows a more lighthearted side (he is the one getting pied in this picture). If you’d like to hear more from the legend himself, check out his oral history below.

https://digital.denverlibrary.org/nodes/view/1826266?keywords=omar+blair&highlights=WyJibGFpciwiLCJvbWFyIiwiYmxhaXIiXQ%3D%3D&lsk=e476aebe82ed037272cbad81c838340d

The library will be closed tomorrow, May 25th, for Memorial Day. We hope you have a great holiday, and we'll see you on ...
05/24/2026

The library will be closed tomorrow, May 25th, for Memorial Day. We hope you have a great holiday, and we'll see you on Tuesday!

We'd love to see you at a very special Storytime this week! We'll be talking with a local author Sabe Kemer and reading ...
05/24/2026

We'd love to see you at a very special Storytime this week! We'll be talking with a local author Sabe Kemer and reading her book, "Oh! to Touch the Sky: A Story of Friendship, Wonder, and Sky-High Dreams"!

We have a special Storytime coming up this week! A safe space for children and their carers to meet friends, read books,...
05/23/2026

We have a special Storytime coming up this week! A safe space for children and their carers to meet friends, read books, and craft. Featuring the story "Oh! to Touch the Sky: A Story of Friendship, Wonder, and Sky-High Dreams"

Join us for a comic-themed workshop where participants turn themselves into a character and create a story reflecting th...
05/20/2026

Join us for a comic-themed workshop where participants turn themselves into a character and create a story reflecting their values and passions to become a hero. The workshop will involve art, storytelling, and personal reflections appropriate for both youth and adults!

Let's learn together this week at the library!
05/17/2026

Let's learn together this week at the library!

It's almost time for the 3rd and final installment of our Making Sense of Sound series! See you Wednesday!
05/15/2026

It's almost time for the 3rd and final installment of our Making Sense of Sound series! See you Wednesday!

Join us for this 3-part workshop that will explore hearing. Get practical strategies that can make hearing and communication easier with Dr. Lia Pazuelo of CU’s HEARD Lab.

Registration required for each session.

Session 1 – Wed 3/18, 1130 a.m.
How hearing works

Session 2 – Wed 4/15, 1130 a.m.
Tools for easier communication

Session 3 - Wed 5/20, 1130 a.m.
Free hearing screenings

For More Information + Register to Attend
http://denlib.org/hearing

Bring your in-progress projects and settle into a relaxed, welcoming space designed for creativity and connection. There...
05/12/2026

Bring your in-progress projects and settle into a relaxed, welcoming space designed for creativity and connection. There's no pressure to finish, just time to make progress, share ideas, and enjoy the simple comfort of creating in community.

Address

2401 Welton Street
Denver, CO
80205

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 8pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

(720) 865-2401

Website

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