How Do I?
To receive text messages or automated voice messages about items on hold, please contact the library to update your record. Both the text message and the voice message state the library, the date through which the item will be held, and the title of the item.
If you wish, you can add additional library cards (for instance, your child’s card) to your account. Once you sign up please let staff at the Library know so we can stop calling you or emailing you when the books and movies you request become available.
You will receive texts for items that have arrived at the library, items that are about to be due, and items that are overdue. If you have to pay per text, we recommend signing up for email notifications or phone calls.
Parking
The Library has two 15 minute parking spots off of Mill Street. Long term parking is located below the library in the Rio Grande Parking Garage. The parking garage is $2/hr with a max of $12/day. Residential street parking is free for the first 2 hours. Use the Pay by Phone website or app for downtown core paid street parking.
Parking Tickets
If you have any questions about parking tickets or further parking questions, contact the City of Aspen Parking Department at 970-920-5267 or visit the City of Aspen website.
Free Transportation
The Roaring Fork Valley has a bus system and a biking trail (The Rio Grande) that runs from Aspen to Glenwood Springs. Travel by bus, bike, or car up and down the valley.
Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA)
RFTA is the local bus system that runs throughout the Roaring Fork Valley with additional stops in New Castle, Silt, and Rifle.
All day free parking is located at the Brush Creek Park & Ride roughly 6 miles outside of Aspen. Use RFTA from Brush Creek Park & Ride to ride for free into Aspen or up to Snowmass Village. Take the bus to Rubey Park and walk three and half blocks downhill on Mill Street to the Library.
Additionally, park for free at any of the RFTA Park & Rides and travel up and down the valley by bus at a reduced rate. Ride RFTA or local buses for free within each local town: Aspen, Snowmass, Basalt/Willits, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, New Castle, Silt, and Rifle.
Seniors 65+ ride all RFTA buses for free with valid photo-ID showing proof of age. Youth ages 6 - 18 ride any RFTA buses for just $1.
Visit the RFTA website for bus schedules, fare rates, and more information.
WE-cycle
WE-cycle is the Roaring Fork Valley’s community bikeshare. Whether you’re just across town or connecting with another mode of Transit, WE-cycle is a great option for getting to and from the Library. The nearest WE-cycle station is right outside the Library’s Galena Street exit and rides under 30-minutes are free, so hop on an e-bike or regular bike and roll around town. Sign up in minutes, online or with the Transit app.
Get rolling! FREE 30-minute rides.
Use WE-cycle as many times as you want, all season long.
The first 30 minutes are free, for every trip you take. For any ride exceeding 30 minutes, Overtime Fees accrue at rates: pedal bike, + $0.50 per minute, and e-bike, + $5 per minute.
Visit the WE-cycle website or download the app Transit to sign up and get riding. Call 970.205.9222 (español x704) with any questions or issues.
Download a WE-cycle station location map.
WE-cycle makes one-way trips across town easier, speedier, and more fun!
The Library is open
Monday-Thursday: 9:00am-7:00pm
Friday-Saturday: 9:00am-6:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm-5:00pm
Please fill out the information below to make a suggestion. You will be asked to designate the nature of your suggestion (purchase request, general etc.).
When completing the form, please do your best to choose the correct type of item or genre when making a purchase suggestion.
Interlibrary Loan Procedures
Patrons interested in a title that is not owned by the Pitkin County Library or an affiliated library may make an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) request with library staff. A patron may have four Interlibrary Loan items checked out at one time, as well as four title requests, and eight periodical requests in process. This service is usually free but some special libraries, such as medical libraries, may charge a fee. There may also be a photocopy fee for lengthy articles. Please fill out the webform or come to the library in person to make an official ILL request.
Please do not use the webform to hold an item in our catalog or the Prospector catalog.
The Pitkin County Library offers library users a powerful, fast wireless connection and unfettered access to 22 public PCs.
- The wireless network is named "library," and it does not require a password. You are welcome to bring your own wireless enabled device to the library.
- There is no charge for using the public computers or accessing the wireless network.
The Pitkin County Library is present in Snowmass Village at three different locations.
- Borrow an honor book or use a public computer at the Town Hall.
- Return honor books to the Town Hall.
- Pick up your holds and return items at the Recreation Center.
Unfortunately we are not able to accept donations in Snowmass Village. Please bring all donations to the Library in Aspen.
Drop Box
There is a drop box outside the Snowmass Recreation Center. You can return your library materials there.
Snowmass Recreation Center
- Items can be returned to the drop box at the Recreation Center.
- Holds can be picked up at the Recreation Center (970.922.2240) in Snowmass Village.
- Be sure you choose Snowmass Village as your pick-up location when you place your hold.
- You will receive an email when your materials arrive in Aspen.
- Allow a few days for your holds to arrive at the Rec Center.
- Your items will already be checked out to you.
- Please claim your hold items at the Snowmass Rec Center within 8 days.
Town Hall
Next to the Snowmass Center, the Town Hall houses a room where you will find Honor Books and a computer with a printer for public use. Unfortunately, the Library is not able to pick-up ANY materials in Snowmass Village, so please do not leave any Library Materials or donations there.
View SMV PCL Locations in a larger map
To renew an item online:
Click on "View My Account" which appears at the top of all library web pages.
Enter your last name and library card number.
Select the items you would like to renew. Then click "Renew Selected Items."
The new date due will be posted.
Please keep in mind that you may only renew items once and that you may not renew items that are on hold for another patron
You may also call the library at 970-429-1900 to renew your materials.
If you would like to place a hold, you may do so through the online catalog.
- Find the title or item you would like to place on hold. You can search by keyword, title, author, ISBN etc.
- Click the button in the item's record that says "Place Hold".
- Enter your name and library card in the spaces provided. You will be asked where you want to pick up your items: at the library or at the Rec Center in Snowmass Village. You can also enter a date by which the hold will be cancelled.
- Click the "Place Hold" button.
If the request was submitted and accepted, you will see a message that tells you the request was successful.
You may also call the library at 970-429-1900 to put a hold on a title.
In the Library
Library cards are free and do not require permanent residency in Pitkin County. For those patrons who will be in the area for less than six months temporary cards will be issued. These temporary cards offer full borrowing privileges.
- Photographic proof of identification is required to apply for a card.
- Signature of a parent or guardian is required for any person under 13 years of age.
- Small children must be able to print their name in order to receive a card.
- There is a $1 replacement fee for lost cards.
- Lost materials or overdue amounts in excess of $5 block use of cards.
A patron may have checked out on his/her card at any one time a total of 30 items including: books, DVDs, music CDs, videos, audiobooks on CD and Playaways.
- DVDs and music CDs check out for one week.
- Books, Ebooks, and Audiobooks of all formats checkout for three weeks.
- Items may be renewed one time unless they are reserved or on loan from another library. Please renew online from your account.
- The library lends digital projectors, speakers and screens. Their loans cannot be renewed and there is no grace period. You will be charged ten dollars each day these items are late. A $600 fee will be charged for any projector more than ten days overdue.
Computers
Pitkin County Library provides access to twenty two computers. Two "express computers" are limited to twenty minutes. You will also find computers on each floor of the library to search the catalog. The Children’s room provides access to four computers that are well suited to teaching older children how to effectively use the internet and develop other basic computing skills. We also provide access to two computers in the children’s room that are designed for use by younger children.
To sign on to a computer, simply choose a computer that is not in use and sign on using your thirteen digit library card number. If you have forgotten your card please show a photo ID and we will be happy to give you your number. If you are a visitor a temporary pass can be obtained at a Circulation desk on presentation of a photo ID and proceed to sign on. If all of the computers are in use, please use the reservation/print release kiosk to make a reservation for the next available computer.
Use of the computers is limited to four hours a day.
All computers are equipped with the Microsoft Office Suite.
For wireless network information click here.
Printing
It is possible to print from any of the public access computers. Printing costs 10 cents per page and 25 cents per color page. To print, press PRINT on any of the public computers, and then release the print job from the print release kiosk. If you are printing a document that is attached to an email, please download the original document to maintain the document’s proper formatting. Do not print from web based document viewers.
Scanning
The copier on the main floor doubles as a scanner. You will need a flash drive to store your document. Push the SCANNER button and then click on STORE FILE and choose STORE TO MEMORY DEVICE. Then push START and follow the instructions on the display.
3D Printer
Use of the 3D Printer is limited to patrons aged 13 or older and requires a one-hour training session with a staff member. The 3D Printer is available on a first-come-first-served basis. Click here to Book-A-Librarian to get your training.
Copy Machines
There are two, self-serve copy machines on the main floor of the library. Black and white copies cost ten cents. Color copies cost twenty-five cents.
Typewriters
The library maintains one typewriter for those requiring the service.
Microfilm
The library maintains one microfilm reader that can be used to view our extensive newspaper archive. The microfilm reader is attached to a printer. Printing costs 10 cents per page. Feel free to ask a librarian for assistance.
Contact us at libraryinfo@pitkincounty.com, 970-429-1900, or by visiting our primary location at 120 N Mill Street, Aspen, Colorado 81611.
To make a purchase suggestion please use this form.