Colorado Public Library Standards

The goals of the Colorado Public Library Standards are to:

1. Serve as models for achieving a consistent quality of library offerings across the state.
2. Inform community leaders and residents about what they can expect from their community library(ies) as well as ideas for growth and development.
3. Assist library leaders in planning, administration, and implementation of library responsibilities.
4. Provide an authoritative document to which library administrators and supporters may refer when justifying requests for funds and expanded library offerings.
5. Assist library staff and leadership in connecting with the communities they serve.
6. Spark discussion, assessment, planning, and other action in all public libraries so they remain vital community hubs.

The Standards and Colorado Library Law

Public libraries are established and maintained according to the provisions of the Colorado Library Law (C.R.S. § 24-90-101 et seq.) and other legal requirements. The Colorado State Library is charged by this law to provide standards that ensure all Coloradans have quality library services. This document provides support and guidance for all public libraries to deliver and improve upon those services. 

What are Standards?

The Colorado public library standards identify requirements, evidence-based practices, and resources that are essential for all public libraries in Colorado regardless of the size of library, budget, and community. 

Standards center on key aspects of a successful Colorado public library in the 2020s. While the standards identify current issues, services, and best practices in Colorado public librarianship, they are not intended to be a detailed road map to each library's future. This document can inform but does not replace a library's strategic plan.

The ten topical standards each include an outcome, overview, and two checklists. The checklists provide stakeholders with ways the library does or can address each standard to achieve the stated outcome. All Colorado public libraries have basic requirements and activities that are essential to quality service for their communities.

The “Essentials” checklists apply to all libraries no matter the size, staff, resources, or funding. The “Essentials +” checklist for each standard adds additional practices for public libraries with more revenue, staffing, and resources. Some libraries may exceed many or all listed practices, while others may be constrained by funding or other circumstances.

To distinguish between the Essentials and Essentials + checklists, a threshold of the smallest and least-funded libraries has been established. The 35 library jurisdictions (30% of Colorado library jurisdictions) that serve populations under 2,500 and/or have an annual operating budget of $165,000 or less will focus specifically on the Essential checklists. All other libraries will use both the Essentials and Essentials + checklists to determine areas of strength and growth that are locally relevant.

Every community is different. What is important is that the board of trustees, director, staff, and community:

1. Assess the current state of the library.
2. Identify existing strengths to build upon.
3. Determine priorities for development.
4. Plan to make the changes.
5. Implement plans with fidelity.
6. Consistently review and iterate to achieve the plan.
7. Report on achievements and impacts.

To support the checklists, an accompanying resource document provides data, tools, and examples relevant to each standard’s activities. The Colorado State Library, the Colorado Library Consortium, and other agencies offer consulting support, training, and resources to achieve the standards. 

Library leadership will decide locally on how best to use this document. At minimum, the Colorado State Library recommends an annual review that may prompt, for example, a list of to-dos, key areas for policy development, adjustments to services or budgets, or the need for a more thorough review of existing practices, etc. A few major initiatives may float to the top of the planning priority list, such as increased services to a particular population. Or a whole new awareness may be sparked from realizing the need for a comprehensive risk management strategy that aligns with other community resilience planning.

For directors and board members, the standards are a guide for decision-making for the public library in their community. To this end, library directors may choose to review each standard by bringing one to each board meeting throughout the year. Staff, community members, and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend these discussions about how the standards apply to library services and improvements.

Regardless of the various methods for using this document, the intent is that Colorado communities continue to enjoy and rely on their public libraries for vital and recreational services well into the future.