For years, Denver Public Library’s branches have been staples in their communities. 

The libraries have been a place where people of all ages, ethnicities, races and religions could go to read, learn and browse the internet.

Now library officials and community members are pushing to change the names of at least two branches.

“We have a new vision, mission and values, and one of those values is challenging inequity, which to us really means working to change inequitable practices, policies, structures and what drives them,” said Erika Martinez, the libraries’ communications and community engagement director. “This really got us thinking about our buildings that are named after people, and ultimately led to us learning who these people were to assure their history and contributions really supported our libraries overall values.”

The investigation into each person began last year during the height of the Black Lives Matter protests that started in Minneapolis.

During the course of the internal investigation, all but two of the library system’s 26 branches met the library’s criteria, but those two presented “red flags.”

The Byers Branch Library is named for William Byers, who is known for being one of the founding figures in Omaha before relocating to Denver in the 1850s. He’s best known as the founder of the Rocky Mountain News but was also known as a businessman, investor and outdoorsman. 

However, like many during his time, Byers’ goals and ideologies could be interpreted today as racist, as he was an outspoken supporter of the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre, said Derek Everett, a history professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver and Colorado State University.

“Byers is a perfect example of one of those figures who was iconic in earlier generations but who had attitudes and supported ideas and principles that make it much more problematic as we look back today,” Everett said.

The other branch that came under fire is the Ross-Barnum Branch, which gets half of its name from P.T. Barnum, best known for running the Barnum Circus and his nickname as the “Greatest Showman.”

Although Barnum spent much of his time traveling the county with his circus, he was known to exploit people of color and people with disabilities by putting them in freak shows. 

“These two branches really rose to the top as our findings were bothersome right? And if we’re trying to create a library system that is welcoming to all, we really needed to consider how we move forward,” Martinez said. 

Since the investigation, library officials has approached the city, elected officials and its community members about possibly remaking the two branches. 

For the Byers location, library staff contacted and met with the Denver American Indian Commission and the Denver Indian Center. Officials decided to rename following the support from the community and established a 14-member community committee.

Jay Alire, who is Native American, is one of those members on the committee. His family has lived in the Lincoln Park neighborhood — where Byers is located — since the 1950s, and he was thankful to have a say in this process, especially since the library is hoping its new name will encompass someone of Native descent. 

“This is a very important step in the right direction,” Alire said. “The library is hoping to have the name changed to something of relevance to the Native community, so by allowing community members like myself to have a say in the process really means a lot.”

The committee is accepting name recommendations until July 25 at midnight. 

Those interested in submitting a name or word should follow these guidelines created by library officials:

• The person must be deceased;
• Must have contributed significant civic service and contributions to the local neighborhoods i.e. Lincoln Park, Baker, Alamo Placita;
• Must be a member of the Cheyenne or Arapaho communities or a historical figure
• Must have a cultural, ethnic and diverse background, or a connection to the library, reading or literature community.

Locals will have the opportunity to vote on the names chosen by the community committee, and Martinez said she hopes the new name will take effect sometime in October.

While the process of renaming the Byers branch is nearing the finish line, the movement to change the Ross-Barnum branch is at a standstill. The trouble is Barnum’s name is associated to other entities within the city limits including two neighborhoods, a recreation center and an elementary school.

“Both branches require a different framework because Barnum is just part of a much bigger conversation, because so many things are named after Barnum,” said Denver councilwoman and community committee member Jamie Torres. “Barnum’s going to remain on the radar, but on hold right now until we can feel like we can bring folks together,” Torres said.

Torres said the city’s renaming, reframing commission previously made recommendations to the city to reconsider all neighborhoods and buildings carrying the Barnum name. 

“They made the recommendation that this was on the list, but may not require renaming and could be a reframing conversation, but we just need to have that discussion with community members and residents,” Torres said. 

One idea is removing Barnum’s name from the library and solely recognizing Fredrick R. Ross, a former Denver library commissioner who left money to a trust fund that has contributed to the library system. Ross’s name can be seen on three other locations across town. 

Martinez encouraged resident to weigh in the conversation. 

“Libraries are nestled in communities and are part of communities,” Martinez said. “I don’t think there is a way to do this without engaging with the community because each members’ voice is just as important as the library’s, so we encourage people to get involved in this process.”