  • (CM) FE07STLIBRARY_CM The new uses of the Denver Public Library at the Central Branch in downtown Denver on Thursday, July 2, 2009. Many people are using to the library web site to reserve books, download material. Cyrus McCrimmon, The Denver Post

  • libraries_03 -- Ben Cook, 31, flips through CD's at the Iliff Square Library, a branch of the Aurora Public Library system, on Weds, Oct. 8. Many residents turn to the public library system during downturns in the economy making them even more popular.

  • Eleven-year-old Cecelia Hill works on a computer in the children's area of the Denver Public Library's Central branch.

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In a world that increasingly skips paper in favor of pixels, libraries are reinventing themselves.

They are transforming into community centers and job banks. They are lending electronically and marketing in ways that dare their commercial bookselling counterparts to stay competitive. They’re even offering to let folks come in and play video games.

While the reputation libraries hold as the center for book-based knowledge remains intact, there are newer models — consumer-based ones — making inroads into the library experience.

In the same way some businesses have employed a more collaborative approach, incorporating employee and customer requests, so, too, have libraries. Embracing technology, they are making the flow of information between libraries and users a two-way street. Library service is more interactive and varied in its focus than ever before.

Colorado has 101 central libraries and 149 branches, for a total of 250 public library outlets in the state. Several on the Front Range showcase the changing library landscape.

Some offerings may surprise you, some may not, but either way, we invite you to check them out for yourself.

On the download

What’s new: The”digital” branch.

What it is: Library features and services available online, accessible with a library card.

Who should check it out: Those who want to obtain library materials/resources without leaving the comfort of their homes.

Where to find it: Most libraries have many “digital branch” elements. Check with your area library for offerings.

In most cases, all you need is an Internet connection and a library card in good standing.

If you want to read a book, you can download it and read it from your desktop. Want to listen to an audiobook? No problem. You can either download a digital book in MP3 or WMA format or load audio titles to CD. Want to watch a movie? Download that, too. Some libraries also let you download select music files.

These digital downloads automatically expire (and prompt you to delete the files) so you won’t encounter late fees.

Take care of business

What’s new: Business information and support.

What it is: Access to high-level business research tools and business reference specialists.

Who should check it out: Anyone thinking of starting a business, trying to grow one, or doing business-related research.

Where to find it: Most major municipal libraries and library districts provide this service and offer online access to many business databases. Many smaller libraries and branch libraries offer this service, as well. Check with yours for availability.

The details: For example, the Denver Public Library offers BizBoost, a business research solutions support desk. These reference experts can help answer your business questions, or show you how to utilize their powerful business databases, such as ReferenceUSA, a database that allows users to find, for example, the number of home-based advertising consultants in the 303 area code, or how many retail businesses exist in a specific geographic area that have 10 or fewer employees, a Web address and a female executive.

BusinessDecision is another high-quality database package that performs sophisticated analyses such as identifying household buying patterns, selecting a merchandising mix, analyzing competitors, and targeting direct-mail campaigns. These databases and others can be accessed remotely from any desktop computer through the Denver Public Library’s website, with a library card.

Other area libraries have similar resources. The Arapahoe Library District and Boulder Public Library also offer access to BusinessDecision. The Aurora Public Library offers a well-organized online business resource directory, including the ReferenceUSA database. Additionally, Boulder offers “Business Research 101” classes, contact information for business-development groups, business-plan resources, and sections on starting a business, building a green business and more.

Shop for free

What’s new: The “bookstore” or “retail” model.

What it is: A library whose layout, stock and services are reminiscent of a bookstore.

Who should check it out: Those who like best sellers and recent releases, those who like the bookstore atmosphere, or those who think coffee and books are a delightful duo.

Where to find it: Many metro-area library districts and municipal library systems offer branches that are designed using this model. Check with your local library to find them.

The details: Often located in or near a retail development, libraries built around the “bookstore model” — such as the Denver Public Library’s Schlessman Family Branch and the new Council Tree Library in Fort Collins — are heavy on new books, music and DVDs. At these branches, a youthful vibe is evident, and the dust and must are rare. Multiple copies of best sellers are displayed in visually appealing stacks in the same way you might encounter them at a bookstore. It’s all free, and for the caffeine-inclined, this model often includes a coffee shop — or is located near one.

Another example is the Southglenn Library at Streets at SouthGlenn, scheduled to open July 17, a branch of the Arapahoe Library District.

Find a job

What’s new: Employment and career information.

What it is: Resume help, employment information, testing.

Who should check it out: Anyone looking for work or interested in a career change.

Where to find it: At your public library or its website.

The details: In this recession, job hunting, resume help and educational and employment testing are a necessity for a growing number of people. Classes, testing, job postings, and links to job sites are available through most public libraries for free.

The Denver Public Library’s central branch offers a community technology center where patrons can find help with resume writing, watch videos on successful job interview techniques, obtain industry salary information and take advantage of a denverpost.com jobs kiosk. The Boulder Public Library offers resume and job-search strategies classes, employment-related RSS feeds and more. You can also take free practice tests for industry licensing in fields such as nursing, cosmetology, civil service and real estate.

The Arapahoe Library District’s site offers access to Optimal Resume, which allows users to build or update a resume, take skills tests and conduct practice interviews.

Additionally, if you’re planning to take a college or graduate school entrance exam (ACT or SAT or GRE), obtain your GED, take a civil-service exam or test for a specific industry license, many area libraries offer free practice testing via an online database called Learning Express Library. Users get instant test results and can log in from home. The Arapahoe Library District, Aurora Public Library, Boulder Public Library, Denver Public Library and Jefferson County Public Library are among those that offer the Learning Express database.

Explore interests

What’s new: Even more events and classes.

Who should check it out: Anyone interested in learning something new.

Where to find them: Find listings for events and classes through your library’s “Events” section, or ask at your local library.

The details: In addition to literacy classes and reading programs, libraries are offering art exhibits, classes about online dating, live concert performances, movies, annual hot- rod car shows and knitting classes.

Most library districts and municipal libraries house free temporary art and historic exhibits.

Each fall, the Pueblo City-County Library District offers the annual “Nuestra Biblioteca and Sweet Dreams Car Show,” which showcases more than 100 custom cars and hot rods, entertains with mariachi dancers and draws more than 1,000 people.

The Douglas County Libraries team up with Intermountain Therapy Animals to offer “Bark for Books,” where school-age kids can sign up to read aloud in dog-person teams as a way to improve literacy.

The Denver Public Library’s “Fresh City Life” events include money workshops, “KnitFlix” where participants bring a knitting/craft project and watch a movie, and a bike maintenance workshop. (Listings at denverlibrary.org/programs/fresh/index.html )

Targeting teens

What’s new: Game playing.

What it is: Sessions and tournaments for video and interactive games.

Who should check it out: Teens and their parents.

Where to find it: At your library.

The details: One offshoot of the new diversity in library programming shows up in the teen department in the form of gaming technology. Most major municipal libraries and library districts now offer a place for teens to play on Nintendo Wiis or Xboxes. The 11-18 set can participate in teen gaming challenges and virtual tournaments, and several libraries have designated staff to oversee these programs. The Arapahoe Library District, Denver Public Library and Boulder Public Library are among those offering gaming events and groups. The Aurora Public Library offers its “Twisted Teens Gaming Club” for grades 6-12. Log on to your library’s website to check local offerings.

Calling all book clubs

Many libraries have rolled out book-club borrowing programs with which an individual can borrow several copies of one title for up to six weeks. The Boulder Public Library, for example, allows 10 copies per person in its “Books in a Bag” program.

Monnie Nilsson: mnilsson@denverpost.com or 303-954-1049

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