NoBo Library: North Boulder's New Community Hub

The NoBo Library at 4500 13th Street is North Boulder's first full-service branch library, and it was a long time coming. After nearly 30 years of the neighborhood making do with a tiny storefront space, Boulder's newest library opened its doors on June 29, 2024. At 11,000 square feet and a cost of $16.1 million, it is also Boulder's first new library building in 50 years.

Location and Hours

The library sits on the east side of Broadway, between Rosewood Avenue and 14th Street, in the heart of the 80304 zip code.

Address: 4500 13th Street, Boulder, CO 80304 Phone: 303-441-3100 Website: boulderlibrary.org/locations/nobo/

Hours:

• Monday–Thursday: 9 AM–7 PM
• Friday: 9 AM–5 PM
• Saturday: 10 AM–5 PM
• Sunday: 12 PM–5 PM

Free parking is available in the lot east of the building. The lot also has two EV ChargePoint chargers — free for the first two hours, then $4 per hour after that.

A Building Worth Visiting

The NoBo Library was designed by WORKac, a New York-based sustainable architecture firm. The open floor plan brings in plenty of natural light, and the large windows frame views of the Flatirons and Boulder foothills. The design came directly from community input: residents asked for calm spaces and outdoor areas for families, and both made it into the final building.

One of the most distinctive features is Nuages, an interactive art installation by Montreal-based studio Daily Tous les Jours. It lines the upper entrance ramp with sensors and eight speakers. When people walk across it, it plays musical tones — turning a simple trip into the library into something a little unexpected.

An outdoor playground with a sunshine-yellow slide, a patio with a log tangle and spinner, a community garden, and an outdoor maker space round out the site.

Programs and Services

The NoBo Library offers much more than books and a quiet place to sit, though it has those too.

Studio 24 Makerspace gives community members access to equipment and instruction for sewing, knitting, rug tufting, screen printing, soldering, rubber stamp creation, and appliance repair. It is one of the most hands-on resources in the Boulder Public Library District.

BoulderReads runs GED classes and digital literacy workshops out of the branch, making it a practical resource for adults working toward new skills or credentials.

Storytime is offered for all ages, with books, songs, and activities for young children and their caregivers. The library also hosts Playtime in the NoBo Nook, a weekly drop-in session where families can play and connect while kids explore the dedicated storytime nook.

Reading Buddies pairs young readers with adult volunteers or CU Boulder students for 90-minute weekly sessions focused on reading, writing, and literacy.

The library also has study rooms and meeting rooms available for reservation, strong WiFi throughout the building, and a Spanish-language collection that makes up roughly 11 percent of the total collection across all ages and formats.

Why the NoBo Library Matters

Branch Manager Celine Cooper put it simply: "Libraries are much more than just books." The NoBo Library is designed as a genuine third place — somewhere outside home and work where people can gather, study, create, and learn. For a neighborhood that went decades without a proper library, that means something.

Whether you are dropping in for storytime, reserving a meeting room, or trying out the makerspace, the NoBo Library is one of the best free resources the 80304 zip code has to offer.