Anythink Libraries 2021-2022 ANNUAL REPORT

From 2021-2022, Anythink developed initiatives for people to experience nature at their own pace, access arts and culture and feel empowered to embark on their next phase of life. Concurrently, artist Jayson Fann created six Spirit Nest installations for the library district that speak to these themes of nature, nurture and transformation. This report details the many ways Anythink supported Adams County residents to persevere and thrive.

Our mission: We open doors for curious minds.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 04 Letters from District Leadership 08 Supporting Resilience 16 Cultivating Creativity & Learning 24 Encouraging Innovation 30 Anythink Funding 33 Anythink Foundation 35 Sponsors and Supporters 37 Anythink Leadership

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LETTERS FROM DISTRICT LEADERSHIP Message from the Anythink Executive Director More than 13 years ago, library service in Adams County was transformed and elevated by a dedicated Board of Trustees, brave employees and community members. This experiment, known simply as “Anythink,” is now synonymous with innovation, risk-taking, creativity and inclusivity. I’m honored to join Anythink to continue this tradition of service and excellence and to guide us through the next phase of Anythink’s evolution. Looking to the future, Anythink will implement its first-ever diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) plan to help us understand ways we can become a more inclusive and equitable organization. We will embark on a new strategic planning process to best understand the hopes and dreams of Adams County residents and how the library can meet their needs. Work will continue on our two new library projects – the Anythink Nature Library and Thornton Community Center Library – both designed to support the wellbeing of our community. I look forward to connecting with our customers, supporters and friends, and hope to see you at the library very soon. – Mark Fink, Anythink Executive Director 4

The sketched images in this report are taken from the Spirit Nest sculptural elements created by Jayson Fann and installed at six Anythink locations over the last two years.

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Message from the Anythink Board of Trustees President Anythink continues to identify and creatively meet the needs of our communities by astonishing participants with unique, enriching experiences. An annual report can only hint at the ways our Anythinkers engage community members daily to foster resilience and help individuals and families achieve their dreams. – Lynne Fox, Anythink Board of Trustees President

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Message from the Anythink Foundation Board Chair Ensuring our community’s well-being and resilience is key to Anythink’s work. From the innovative Anythink Box to the dynamic Fall Artist Showcase, Anythink continues to create new and unique ways for everyone in Adams County to feel connected, creative and renewed. – Kyle Kreischer, Anythink Foundation Board Chair

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SUPPORTING RESILIENCE

Anythink supports resilience in Adams County by providing access to services, partners and tools that help people thrive.

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Last night our local library held an end of summer celebration. It was so thoughtful, gentle and caring, embracing the community and acknowledging our collective pain, loss and struggle through the pandemic. It brought tears to my eyes the whole time. Thank you, Anythink.

Adrienne B., Anythink Customer

You totally helped us get through these times! So grateful for our library and the incredible staff. We made beautiful gifts in your Studio, we read a million books, learned so much with your education events and had a great holiday party at home with the karaoke machine we checked out. Can’t thank you all enough!

Elena G., Anythink customer 9

Community Wellbeing In response to community need for health and healing in Adams County in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Anythink launched Renew. This community wellness experience presented strategies that supported all aspects of wellbeing, tailored to customers’ individual needs and goals, and offered online resources and in-person events that helped fuel body and mind.

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Try Something New Launched in 2022, the TryIts collection sparks customers’ curiosity and helps them explore their interests. With hundreds of items available free with a library card, Anythink takes learning beyond library doors. Customers can now sample everything from birdwatching kits to musical instruments.

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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

In February 2021, Anythink held an all-staff training day focused on DEI and began conversations and planning with staff and leadership on Anythink’s journey to be a more inclusive and equitable organization. Anythink will implement its first-ever DEI plan which, in turn, will elevate the level of service provided to our communities.

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I can’t thank you enough for your continued leadership in times that require creativity, flexibility and dexterity. Our family continues to thrive and enjoy not only wonderful literature, but also wonderful people and a rich bevy of resources.

Chari N., Anythink customer

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Building Projects Anythink is embarking on two new building projects: a library as part of the new Thornton Community Center and the Anythink Nature Library. Not only will the Thornton Community Center have traditional recreation areas like the gymnasium, dance studios, and boxing gym, but it will also house shared spaces for rental, a coffee lounge, a teen area and a makerspace for community members to enjoy. Plus, it will feature a new Anythink Library. The Nature Library will be included as part of the 140-acre Aylor Open Lands project in Thornton, Colo. This first-of-its-kind library will lower barriers to outdoor access and help people find their place in nature.

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FOCUS AREAS INSPIRING THE ANYTHINK NATURE LIBRARY: BOUNDLESS, WELLBEING, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, HERITAGE AND CREATE BEAUTY 15

CULTIVATING CREATIVITY & LEARNING Anythink brings world-class arts and cultural experiences to customers in the library, providing hands-on learning opportunities for all ages. The library helps children maintain critical relationships with early literacy and a love of learning. Anythink extends these experiences beyond its walls, meeting community members where they live, work and play.

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PHOTOGRAPHS USED IN JUAN FUENTES’ COMMUNITY MURAL, “THIRTY-SIX MILES EAST,” AT ANYTHINK BENNETT 

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Making Art Accessible Anythink provides world-class arts and cultural experiences and hands-on learning opportunities for people of all ages. From district-wide residencies with artists Jayson Fann and Helen Hiebert to the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art at Anythink Fall Artist Showcase, Anythink creates new and unique ways for residents to feel connected and inspired. When people create together, anything is possible.

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COMMUNITY MESSAGES OF HOPE GATHERED FOR THE FLAGS OF ALEJANDRA ABAD’S “OUR WISHES” INSTALLATION

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Environmental Stewardship Anythink encourages customers to spend time in nature by providing opportunities for exploration, learning and play. To promote bicycle accessibility and equity, a free bike-lending program launched at Anythink Commerce City. Plans are underway for a pollinator garden at Anythink Wright Farms; it will be designed to provide food and habitat for pollinators in the area and to educate customers about the importance of pollinators. Four electric vehicle (EV) charging stations were unveiled at Anythink Wright Farms in 2022 to serve the growing number of EV car owners.

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CRUISERSTYLE BICYCLES TAKING PEOPLE WHERE THEY NEED TO GO

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Passion for Literacy Anythink uplifted communities and helped people navigate the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic by fostering a love of literacy and providing moments of joy. From February 2021 through August 2022, The Anythink Box provided free access to books and brought the magic and wonder of a library visit to the doorstep of children’s homes during a time when it was challenging for many families to visit Anythink in person. Beginning in spring of 2022, new Anythinkers were showered in celebration with the My First Library Card initiative for children. To provide opportunities for customers to find healing, create memories together and feel hope for the future, mySummer 2022 was dedicated to wishes and whimsy.

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We just received our very first box and couldn’t be more impressed! Our box included 7 fantastic books, that were PERFECTLY selected, reflecting my daughter’s interests. In addition, these amazingly molded shaped dinosaur crayons were included as well. WOW Anythink, thank you so much!

Shawndra R., Anythink customer

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ENCOURAGING INNOVATION Anythink supports lifelong learning and provides customers with the tools and partners they need to be successful.

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Expanded Online Resources As part of Anythink’s commitment to supporting people’s success, additional business, career and tutoring resources were added to the library’s online offerings. Resources like O’Reilly for Public Libraries offer over 30,000 hours of videos, case studies and expert playlists for those interested in exploring the topics of technology and business.

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Updates to The Studio In 2021, The Studio at Anythink underwent renovations to help with air circulation and to allow for additional tools to be stored and available for use. During this time, The Studio staff focused on quality virtual programming and kits with tools that circulated to branches throughout the district. The Studio at Anythink Wright Farms reopened in Oct. 2021 with a focus on the theme of the modern maker. In 2022, the Studio team hosted resident artist Joe Murray and electrician Tino Mageo, who designed and created two retro arcade machines along with Anythink customers. The Studio continues to be a catalyst for everyone to learn a new skill, explore something new and discover new passions.

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My daughter and I spent the afternoon today in The Studio and we had an absolutely incredible experience. We created art and character design and original graphic design today with Anythink’s help. My daughter’s brain cracked open and let some sunshine in. She found immense possibility in art at The Studio. This place is completely RAD!

Aaron S., Anythink customer

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Innovative Partnerships Through strong partnerships, Anythink can offer dynamic programs and initiatives not found elsewhere in Adams County. Whether that is working with EnChroma to begin distributing glasses to assist people experiencing color blindness or collaborating with SeriesFest to bring filmmaking programs to teens at Anythink Huron Street, the library’s partnerships provide opportunities for deeper learning and creativity.

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SeriesFest’s education programs, specifically the Mobile Cinema Lab, are designed to celebrate the story inside every young person. Through this unique partnership with Anythink, we can enhance opportunities to break down barriers for students and provide this exciting program to a wider community.

Neil Truglio, SeriesFest Director of Education

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ANYTHINK FUNDING

Anythink serves the residents of Adams County, Colo., with seven branches in Bennett, Brighton, Commerce City, Thornton and the Perl Mack neighborhood of Denver. The library also offers outreach services through Anythink in Motion, the district’s bookmobile, which visits neighborhoods and communities throughout the county. With a focus on innovation, Anythink’s award-winning approach to library service is recognized by industry leaders and organizations across the globe. 30

2021 FUNDING AT A GLANCE These are the primary sources of Anythink’s funding, and how it spends those funds.

WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM Property Taxes: 91% - $22,626,320 Specific Ownership Tax: 8% - $1,920,805 Grants, Donations, Erate, Etc.: > 1% - $278,515 Fees: > 1% - $47,412

WHERE THE MONEY GOES Personnel: 43% - $8,660,307 Debt Service: 15% - $3,008,217 Library Materials: 15% - $2,968,569 Professional and Technology: 8% - $1,647,042 Capital Outlay: 5% - $927,704 Administrative Services: 4% - $781,156 Facilities Expenses: 6% - $1,280,836 Library Services: 3% - $627,435 Miscellaneous: 1% - $342,072

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2022 FUNDING AT A GLANCE These are the primary sources of Anythink’s funding, and how it spends those funds.

2022: WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM Property Taxes: 91% - $24,749,213 Specific Ownership Tax: 7% - $1,889,591 Grants, Donations, Erate, Etc.: > 1% - $284,136 Fees: > 1% - $82,705

2022: WHERE THE MONEY GOES Personnel: 40% - $8,675,917 Debt Service: 20% - $4,288,547 Library Materials: 14% - $3,080,467 Professional and Technology: 9% - $1,909,346 Capital Outlay: 2% - $389,287 Administrative Services: 5% - $995,784 Facilities Expenses: 6% - $1,305,158 Library Services: 3% - $598,536 Miscellaneous: 1% - $371,227

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ANYTHINK FOUNDATION The Anythink Foundation supports the library with special programs and projects outside of the library’s operating budget. These opportunities provide memorable experiences for the Adams County community that would otherwise not be possible without the generous support of donors.

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Foundation Snapshot Funds raised by the Anythink Foundation support programs and services in four key areas: Capital projects Public art Expansion of collections Exceptional programs, activities and technology education

Total current assets: $245,872 Individual donations made in 2021: 551 Individual donations made in 2022: 633 Cost to become a member: $39 annually

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Anythink Foundation Sponsors and Supporters Thank you to our generous sponsors and supporters. The following individuals and organizations donated to the Anythink Foundation at the $100 level and above during 2021-2022: Aaron Garcia Amber & Jonathan Meade Amelia Wahl Amy Kolenbrander Amy Bracy Ann Godfrey Anna Faye Sturm Anne Dutka Barbara Garrity Barbara Tarleton Brad Bauer Brad Hamilton Brett Petersen Brian McWilliams Mary & Bruce Davis Butler Snow Carole Harvell Carolyn Lehmann Kristie & Chris Blackwood Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C. Cindy Bruner Colorado Gives Community First Foundation Colorado Swim School Courtney Keyes Craig Fowler Cynthia Livingston Darlene Framel David Bell David Volejnicek David Wolfe Debbie Witt Denise M. Elliott Dennis Humphries Elan Green Emily Brooks & Kevin Sommers Ethan Bach

Fransen Pittman, GC Gene Ciancio Germaine & Dennis Persinger Gordon Hamby Gretchen Lapham Griffin Heath Hannah Auringer James Steinbach Jeff Glickman Jenette Garding Jennifer & Albert Kendrick John Keller Jonathan Weber Julie Crabb-Abbott Karen DeSantis Kate Miya Kate Sauder Katherine Skinner Kathy S. Hansen Kathy Mullin Kenneth Torrence Kim Crawford Kim Seter Kurt Jones Kyle Kreischer Lisa Foubert Lisa Griffin Logan Macdonald Lynn Nourse Lynne Fox Madeline Wetta Maria Gonzalez Maribeth Clemm Mark Fink Mark Zuber Mary Reinstein Mary Jane Scherdin

Mary Vigil Mary Welsch Michelle Halstead Mike Osborn Mountain States Toyota Nikolas Romano Pam & David Smith Pat Kunze Peggy Schick PFM Rachel & Zach Meints Raina Bridge RBC Capital Markets Rene Rosechild Rhonda Dominy Richard Delaney Janice & Richard Randall Rob Brown Ronnie Storey Scott Kesser Shari King Sherri Dolan Sheryl Bain Steve Hansen Susan Dobbs Tanya Chitock TBK Bank Tiah Frankish United Power Valerie Day Vickie Pick Virginia Edley Zoe Reese Anythink Foundation Members During 2021-2022 Aaron Ott Adrianna Edwards

Alba Gonzalez Rodriguez Alicia Peterson Alishia Kinsey Alison Daughters Allison Bailey Alyssa Howell Amy Bracy Andrew Haase Andrew Southard Andrew Fish Angela VanDijk Angela Cummins Ann Piano Ann Fernandez Anna Faye Sturm Anne Dutka April Johannesen Augusta Potter Autumn Gauthier Barbara Tarleton Barbara Wilson Betty Emanuele Blaine Pelton Blaine Nickeson Bonnie Ferrell Bonnie Watson Brad Brauer Brandalyn Harvey Brea Spann Brett Petersen Brian Hall Megan & Brian Schoeni Mary & Bruce Davis Bruce Lane Carol Meier Carolann Walters Carolyn Priola

Carolyn Lehmann Carolyn C. Lumsden Chandra Wheeler Charla Frankish Cheryl Gray Cheryl Stavis Chris Heumann Chris Unger Christine Whitney Christine Pettinger Christopher Hill Christine Chady Christine Whitney Cindy Scott Colette Hanlon Courtney Keyes Cynthia Taylor Cynthia Livingston Dan Madgwick Danielle Vink Danny Herrmann David Framel Dave Wolfe David Bell Dean Hendrix Deborah Hogue Denise M. Elliott Dennis Humphries Derek Munson Dolores Mullin Donna Good Donna Bowser Donna Lamb Dorothy Milazzo E. Jane Bustamante Echo Rivera Elan Green

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Elise Cooper Elizabeth Carroll Ellen Drennen Emily DelRoss Erica Grossman Erin Williams Estelle Fleckenstein Ethan Bach Faith Hoxworth Genne Boggs Germaine & Dennis Persinger Gloria Turney Hannah Auringer Hannah Janiec Harvey Fagler Heather Muchow Heidi Khoury Hervey Smith Hollie Kemp Howard Thomas Irene Mott Jack Ethredge James Steinbach James Wang Jana Bozeman Jason Page Jason Rivera Jeewon Kim Jennifer Hutchcraft Jennifer Munoz Jennifer Pauley Jennifer Janezic Jeremy Sarby Jessica Glissmann Jessica Huntington Jill Thornburg Jill Rampacek Jillian Hamm Joette Bailey-Keown Jodi Bochert Jody Howard Joe Hassen Joe Murray

Joette Bailey-Keown John Domenighini John Keller John D. Ristvey Jolene Gutierrez Joni Goodwin Jose Lopez Joseph Brooks Joyce Gonzales Juan Carlos Huerta Judith Fugitt Judy Sanford Julia Ross Julie Locricchio Julie Crabb-Abbott Justin Hicks Karen Garcia Karen Allen Karina Jansen Kate Miya Katherine Skinner Kathryn Steele Kathy Ryan Kathy Miks Katy Rowland Geofrey Hirsch Kelly Smith Kim Seter Kimberly Bacon Kirti Ahuja Kristen Wells Kristen Mahler Kristin Burns Kristin Masliuk Kristin May Kristin Peters Kristin Shmitt Michelle & Kurt Jones Kyle Maher Laura Clawson Laura Pals Lauren Kitchen Laurie Maier

Leah Brown Leora Black Linda Seymour Linda Young Linda Blake Lisa Connolly Lisa Duran Tello Lisa Griffin Logan Macdonald Lucille Wirth Lynn Nourse Lynn Reed Lynn Southard Lynne Fox Lynnette Langdon Marci Whitman Margaret Cepeda Maria Gonzalez Maria Mayo Maribeth Clemm Marissa Mink Mark Eisele Marsha Chivers Martin Postma Mary Carson Mary Payne Mary Jane Scherdin Mary Lee Reinstein Margaret Lineham Megan Bohanan Meghan Lewis Melissa Berg Michael Conkey Mike Osborn Michele Andersen-Heroux Michelle Abbott Michelle Halstead Mildred Worobel Mindy Kittay Miranda Philippi Mustafa Eroglu Nanette Fisher Natalie Hicks

Nathan Hickman Nathan Richards Neena Moore Nick Boettcher Norman Union Pat Kunze Patricia & Anthony Caliendo Patricia Durfee Patricia Soden Patricia Hurtado Paul Csibrik Pawan Vora Peggye O’Neil Perry Waugh Priscilla Mancosky Rachael Kalicun Rachel Guillot Rakib Siddiqui Randy Beineke Rebecca Alstrum-Acevedo Rebecca Brooker Rebecca Zamora Rene Rosechild Rhonda Dominy Richard Delaney Janice & Richard Randall Rikki Ogden Rob Brown Robbie Wagner Robert Stark Robert Tan Robin Bean Robin Schlundt Dana & Ron Ebenkamp Ronald W. Fox Russell Shroyer Sabrina Tran Samid Hoda Sandra Kay Lilly Sandy Brady Sara Potapenko Scott Kesser Scott Vander Putten

Shari Brodersen Shari King Sharon Tonsager Sheila Hudnall Shelly Parchman Sherri Pemberton Sheryl Bain Shira Mailes Stacie Ledden Stacie Lanenga Stephen Humphrey Stephen Steighner Steve Hammond Steve Kovach Steven Cervantes Steven Keesey Sue Corbett Susan Dobbs Taniuska Teri Woods Terri Matthews Terri Kalmbach Thang Nghiem Theresa Jefferson Thomas Berry Thomas Trumble Tiah Frankish Tim Boggs Timothy Mckenzie Tina Martinez Todd Zarnes Trish O’Connor Valerie Day Valerie Dolejsi Veronica Sanchez Jones Vickie Pick Virginia Sanchez Yadira Caraveo Zach Meints

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Anythink Leadership ANYTHINK BOARD OF TRUSTEES

ANYTHINK FOUNDATION BOARD

STAFF LEADERSHIP

Lynne Fox President

Chris Blackwood

Mark Fink Anythink Executive Director

Andy Southard Vice President Suzie Brundage Secretary Gretchen Lapham Trustee

David Bell Kim Crawford Kyle Kreischer Michelle Halstead

Susan Dobbs Assistant Director Logan Macdonald Director of Products and Technology Stacie Ledden Director of Strategic Partnerships Suzanne McGowan Director of Customer Experience

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