About Us
About Us
Hello from Dr. Hortt
Hello from
Dr. Hortt
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.
-Dr. Matthew Hortt, Executive Director of the High Plains Library District
HPLD History
HPLD History
In late 1985, The Weld Library District, a special taxing district, is established 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 District finalizes details, selects board members, and creates agreements with Member libraries so that operations can begin in early 1986. 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.
The Town of Erie’s Boulder County residents vote 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.
As part of a re-branding project, the Library Board of Trustees approved the recommendation to rename the Library District High Plains Library District.
HPLD pays off Certificates of Participation, meaning HPLD was debt-free. When the mill levy was approved in 1999, HPLD promised to reduce the mill levy after all debts were paid, and in December 2019 the Board of Trustees fulfilled that promise.
High Plains Library District is comprised of eight branch libraries, bookmobile services, and eight autonomous member libraries governed by their own separate boards of trustees.
Governance
Governance
The High Plains Library District Board of Trustees serves as a governing board for the branch library system. Learn more here.
Mission, Vision, Values
Mission, Vision, Values
A
Access
HPLD Value: We provide Access to all in our community.
Foundational Principle: Inclusion: We welcome all people and are open and available to all.
S
Serve
HPLD Value: We SERVE everyone in our communities.
Foundational Principle: Customer Service: We are here to serve and provide an exceptional level of customer service and positive experiences.
P
Partner
HPLD Value: We PARTNER to ensure access to expertise. We PARTNER in support of common goals and expanding our value.
Foundational Principle: Courtesy/Respect: We treat every staff member and patron with courtesy and respect in all spaces.
I
Improve
HPLD Value: We strive to be a role model organization through relentless efforts to IMPROVE.
Foundational Principle: Personal Development: We support, value, and encourage personal development.
R
Responsible
HPLD Value: We are RESPONSIBLE with taxpayer funds and work to be taxpayer proud.
Foundational Principle: Privacy/Safety: We protect patrons’ privacy and strive to make a safe place for everyone.
E
Enrich
HPLD Value: We ENRICH lives through providing the opportunity to learn and grow.
Foundational Principle: Intellectual Freedom: We defend The First Amendment and the constitutionally protected expressions of others. Our libraries provide free and equal access to information and resources to all in our community.
Administration and Staff
Administration
and Staff
(970) 506-8563
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
Image Citations
Greeley City Hall and PUblic Library: Greeley History Museum. (1999). Greeley City Hall and Public Library [Photograph]. Weld County Images Collection. https://cdm16720.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16720coll1/id/5513/rec/50
1986 Image: Savig, R. S. (1981). The circulation desk and ramp leading to the adult section at the Weld County Library [Photograph]. Weld County Images Collection. https://cdm16720.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16720coll1/id/1684/rec/52