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.

Did you know…

We offer a monthly e-newsletter full of details about our services and programs. Our subscribers are the first to hear about new materials and upcoming author events.
You can download eAudiobooks to your home computer or mobile device.
We provide many specialty items such as laptops, mobile internet hotspots, telescopes, and more for check out. See Specialty Checkout
Your library is a great place to save some green by borrowing movies, CDs, and other materials.
Your first library card is free.
All our libraries offer book clubs, storytimes, and events for all ages. View Calendar of Events.
Each of our libraries provides free wifi.

Our Story

History

The Weld Library District is a special taxing district that was established in 1986 under the authority of Colorado Library Law §C.R.S. 24-90-101 to improve library service to residents through the sharing of books, staff, and tax revenue. The taxing authority includes all of Weld County except the areas covered by the Windsor-Severance Library District and the City of Dacono. In some areas, High Plains Library District expands into other counties. In 2007 the Town of Erie’s Boulder County residents voted to become part of High Plains Library District. The major source of revenue for High Plains Library District is derived from a 3.249 mill levy applied to the assessed value of portions of Weld and Boulder County properties. The District serves over 245,959 residents of Weld County and parts of neighboring counties, and covers a geographic area of almost 4,000 square miles.

In July 2008, as part of a re-branding project, the Library Board of Trustees approved the recommendation to rename the Library District High Plains Library District.

High Plains Library District is comprised of seven branch libraries, bookmobile services and six autonomous member libraries governed by their own separate boards of trustees.

Governance

The High Plains Library District Board of Trustees serves as a governing board for the branch library system. The Board determines library polices based on District community needs. The Board works within bylaws developed to meet Federal, State and local requirements to insure that proper standards of operations and financing be maintained. The HPLD Board of Trustees is appointed through a selection committee. This committee is convened by the Board Vice President. In addition to the Board Vice President, members of the selection committee include:

One (1) additional HPLD Board of Trustee Member as selected by the Board President
One (1) representative from each of the seven Governmental Agencies that originally formed the Library District (Eaton, Board of County Commissioners, Ault, Hudson, Greeley, Fort Lupton and Fort Lupton School District RE-8).

Final approval of the selected member is based on the support shown by the District government agencies.

Mission, Vision, Values

Our Values

These values help clarify the principles that guide the High Plains Library District. As trustees, administration, and staff of the High Plains Library District, we are committed to fulfilling our mission and vision while upholding the following values:

Our Customers

are treated with dignity, respect, and consideration.
receive an exceptional level of personal customer service.
are provided with a variety of library materials that reflect the communities’ interests and values.
have access to up-to-date technology and receive assistance in using that technology.
enjoy a variety of quality programming for all ages.
have a positive library experience every time they visit.

Our Facilities

are modern, clean, and well maintained.
provide and utilize up-to-date technology.
are open and available to all people regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, or physical limitations.
are inviting, comfortable and friendly.
serve as a local gathering place.

Our Staff

uphold the principles of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America — the freedom to read, view, speak and hear.
are committed to instilling a love of reading.
are professional and reliable information catalysts.
will make every effort to be available to you whenever and wherever you need us.
seeks solutions to problems in a positive, productive manner.
works as a team to provide an exceptional level of service to all customers.
continues to learn and grow professionally in an effort to better serve you by taking advantage of classes, workshops, and seminars offered by the High Plains Library District, State/National Library Associations, and other agencies.
sees High Plains Library District as an employer of choice; one that provides fair compensation, competitive benefits, and a flexible schedule that leads to a healthy work / life balance.

Our Community

benefits from partnerships between High Plains Library District and other local agencies that support reading, education and literacy.
enjoys the talents, abilities and contributions of High Plains Library District staff at community-related activities.
is aware of and appreciates the programs and services offered by High Plains Library District.
supports High Plains Library District by contributing to its Foundation.
feels enriched by the presence of High Plains Library District.

Board of Trustees

Personnel

Matthew Hortt, Executive Director

(970) 506-8563

Rosa Granado, Associate Director of Public Services

(970) 506-8641

Marjorie Elwood, Associate Director of Public Services

(970) 506-8650

James Melena, Community Relations & Marketing Manager

(970) 506-8559

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 and Volunteering

HPLD 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.

View Job Opportunities

The High Plains Library District is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity (EEO). We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age, race, gender, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other applicable status protected by federal, state or local law.

If, due to a disability, you require a reasonable accommodation to navigate this site and/or complete the on-line application process, please contact us at 1-888-861-7323.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:

Family Medical Leave

Equal Employment Opportunity

HPLD Member Library Jobs

The High Plains Library District consists of both member and branch libraries, and occasionally there are open positions at member libraries, which are listed separately. If there are open positions, they will be listed here.

Patron Privacy

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.