About Us
Director’s Note
Welcome to the High Plains Library District. You will find our libraries to be inviting, comfortable, innovative and friendly. I encourage you to step back and experience your library in a new way by exploring all that we have to offer from programs to e-books to the latest technology.
Matthew Hortt, Executive Director
(970) 506-8563
Tony Brewer, Associate Director of Branch Services
(970) 506-8557
Elena Rosenfeld, Associate Director of Community Engagement
(970) 506-8567
James Melena, Community Relations & Marketing Manager
(970) 506-8559
Jordana Vincent, Collection Resources Manager
(970) 506-8656
Natalie Wertz, Finance Manager
(970) 506-8566
Eric Ewing, Associate Director of Human Resources
(970) 506-8562
Susan Staples, Information Technology and Innovation Manager
(970) 506-8561
Jobs
The High Plains Library District welcomes your interest in joining us to provide information, inspiration and entertainment to the communities we serve. We offer competitive pay and benefits as well as an enjoyable and meaningful employment experience.
Your records are strictly confidential. At the High Plains Library District, we go the extra step to ensure that your records remain your business and no one else's.
If you forget your library card, you can check out and retrieve account information with a photo ID.
This process helps us recognize you and avoids checkout discrepancies.
Your hold items will check out only to your card.
If you want a friend or family member to pick up your hold items, make sure to add their names to your account for permission to pick up your items.
We give your hold/reserve information only to you.
Specific details on your hold items will not be given to your answering machine, roommate, or anyone else. You may call 1-888-861-READ (7323) or check My Account to get the title, if you miss our call.
Someone else may pay your fines, but specific information will not be given to them.
If someone returns or renews an overdue item for you, he or she may pay the fine, but your account history will not be disclosed.
Children's records are equally protected.
Your records are available to you. Although your library account is protected from others, you can access information about it by going Online and selecting My Account.
Safeguard your card.
Report any loss or theft of your card to the Library immediately.
Confidentiality of Library usage is not protected if there is misuse of the Library or its resources; if the Library is presented with a court-ordered subpoena; or if information is requested under section 215 of the United States Patriot Act.
The High Plains Library District follows Colorado Law 24-90-119 which requires all public libraries to guarantee the privacy of customer records. At the High Plains Library District, we are not only committed to ensuring your privacy, but to providing you with the best in customer service. If you have any questions concerning the privacy of your records please be sure to let us know.
Colorado Law 24-90-119. Privacy of user records. (1) Except as set forth in subsection (2) of this section, a publicly-supported library shall not disclose any record or other information that identifies a person as having requested or obtained specific materials or service or as otherwise having used the library. (2) Records may be disclosed in the following instances: (a) When necessary for the reasonable operation of the library; (b) Upon written consent of the user; (c) Pursuant to subpoena, upon court order, or where otherwise required by law; (d) To a custodial parent or legal guardian who has access to a minor's library card or its authorization number for the purpose of accessing by electronic means library records of the minor. (3) Any library official, employee, or volunteer who discloses information in violation of this section commits a class 2 petty offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than three hundred dollars.
Electric Vehicle Charging Station
An electric vehicle charging station is available at the Riverside Library & Cultural Center which is enabled with the Chargepoint interface that allows users to charge their credit cards ($1 per hour) for payment, make reservations, and provide technical support for end users. Set up an account at www.chargepoint.com for easy access to the EV charging station.
We Partner with the Colorado Energy Office, Regional Air Quality Council, The Renewable Energy Initiative, and Northern Colorado Clean Cities to reduce our dependence on oil, improve air quality, and expand the electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
More information on electric vehicles can be found at the following links:
Green Buildings
Our facilities are environmentally responsible and resource efficient in design, construction, operation, maintenance, and renovation. A multi-branch project to reduce energy consumption and improve occupant comfort resulted in a reduction of more than 1.2 million pounds of CO2 emissions which is the equivalent of removing 115 cars from our roads or powering 50 homes for a year. Click here to see the highlights from our Energy Performance project.
Our buildings are cleaned using green products in order to reduce exposure of building occupants and maintenance personnel to potentially hazardous chemicals, biological and particulate contaminants, which adversely affect air quality, human health, building finishes, building systems and the environment.
Riverside Library & Cultural Center is LEED Gold certified and is partially powered by renewable energy. Click here to learn more about LEED Certification.
We partner with McKinstry , Renewable Choice, and the Colorado Energy Office to help reduce the environmental impact and energy consumption inherent in operating commercial buildings.


Nature Walk
Carbon Valley Regional Library has “expanded” the library to include a nature trail and an outdoor classroom. With the help of Encana, the Town of Firestone, Longmont & Boulder Valley Conservation Districts, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, local Eagle Scouts, boy and girl scouts and patron volunteers, we are:
- reestablishing the native grasses,
- planting more pollinators, milkweed and sunflowers,
- planting trees for shade and enjoyment,
- developing a primitive ampitheater for outdoor programming,
- constructing picnic tables and benches,
- weaving a trail throughout the property,
- developing educational signage and backpacks, and
- planning educational programs.
Recycling
High Plains Library District started accepting batteries thanks to a partnership with an organization that was picking up the batteries that we collected. However, the company that made this happen is no longer providing the service.
Why don’t we take on the recycling ourselves?
The process for recycling batteries requires time to sort and separate batteries as well as pick up from several locations, then drop off at a hazardous waste facility. In addition to the cost of staff time, there is also a cost (approximately $1000/year) associated with recycling batteries that have not been separated.
More Information about Alkaline batteries:
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/household-batteries
- Alkaline batteries manufactured in the United States no longer contain mercury.
- These batteries can be disposed of in the regular trash.
- Batteries often still have some charge left when disposed.
- Place a piece of tape securely over each terminal end of the alkaline battery before placing it in the trash, or place individual batteries in a strong plastic zip-top bag before placing in the trash.
Since we are no longer a pick-up point for the batteries, we now have a list of other places that accept the batteries. Click here to view a list of battery recycling locations.
As a part of normal operations, we recycle internal waste such as paper, cardboard, books, aluminum, and organic waste. We recycle over 18 tons of materials each year. We serve as a household recycling collection point in concert with Weld County and partner with Green Girl Recycling and Common Good Composting. More about Green Girl’s single stream recycling can be found by watching this video:
Green Team
Employees with an interest in environmental sustainability are encouraged to be part of the High Plains Library District’s Green Team. The Green Team meets regularly to discuss and implement ideas that support the Sustainability Statement. Because the Green Team is internally driven, we are able to realize green initiatives that matter to our employees.
Because we should...
Sometimes it’s the small things that have a big impact on our environment. We understand that even small initiatives can make a big difference, so we also provide the public with a way to recycle household batteries and books. Our libraries also feature bicycle repair stations to encourage using an alternative mode of transportation to our locations.
Have a green idea or suggestion?
Please send an email to the Green Team.
District Publications
General Documents