The Place: "Beginning" On July 7, 1963 former President General Dwight D. Eisenhower and his wife Mamie Doud Eisenhower came to Broomfield to participate in the dedication of the city's public library, newly named for the former First Lady. 50 years later, the Broomfield public library still retains her name. The library's collection has grown from several hundred books to more than 150,000 books today. It has also expanded to include periodicals and audio/video media as well as computers with access to on-line databases, other library systems, and the Internet.
The first meeting to establish a public library for Broomfield was held Dec. 2, 1959. A Library Board of Trustees was appointed, the library incorporated and by-laws were written in January 1960. The library opened in donated space with furnishings provided by service clubs and organizations.
The Colorado State Library loaned the Broomfield Library 600 - 2,000 books at a time for many years until the collection was established. The first paid Library Director, Mary Jane Bailey, was hired in October 1961 after a city budget was established and monies provided by law for a library. The library moved four times when donated space was sold or additional space was needed.
First Permanent Building In 1961 Bal Swan and the Turnpike Land Company donated land at #12 Garden Center for the first permanent library building. The Library moved into the 3,226 square-foot building March 15, 1963. Upon request of Bal Swan the library was renamed Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library. General and Mrs. Eisenhower were honored guests at the library dedication July 7, 1963.
Increase State Mill LevyAn increase in the state mill levy to fund local libraries provided funding to increase the size of the original library building to 7,224 square feet. The expansion was completed in March 1975.
Bonds In August 1989 the citizens of Broomfield approved a bond issue to fund several municipal projects including a new municipal building to house a new library, police department and administrative offices.
The New Library The new library opened at 1 DesCombes Drive on February 6, 1995. The City Council voted to retain the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library name for the new library. The former library building was renovated to provide office and operations space to non-city managed community support organizations.
Becoming a CountyOn November 3, 1998, Colorado voters elected to make Broomfield the 64th county in the state. As part of the transition from city to county, the City Council conducted a focus session on building a new library. In January 2000, City Council approved the new Library Site Development Plan.
Ground BreakingGround breaking ceremonies were held on October 19, 2000. The expanded 28,409 square foot library shares a lobby with a 300-seat auditorium, and includes a second story reading terrace with views of Community Park.
Grand Opening Grand Opening celebrations were held on Nov. 10, 2001. This library, located between Lamar and Main on Community Park Road, is the third building to house the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library." (from (
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The Person: "Mamie Geneva Doud Eisenhower. (November 14, 1896 – November 1, 1979) was the wife of United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and First Lady of the United States from 1953 to 1961.
Mamie married Dwight Eisenhower at age 19 in 1916. The young couple moved frequently between military quarters in many postings, from Panama to the Philippines. As First Lady, she entertained a wide range of foreign dignitaries, who reacted well to her confident style and splendid costumes. On leaving the White House, she made clear her disapproval of the incoming Kennedys.
Mamie Eisenhower spent her retirement and widowhood at the family farm at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The Hollywood star Mamie Van Doren was so named by Universal Studios in her honor." (from (
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A thorough biography of Mamie Eisenhower may be found at (
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