The Meadows Branch Library, located behind Safeway in the Meadows on the Parkway shopping center at Baseline and Foothills Parkway, opened December 3, 1989. The space, donated by Boulder developer Jim Loftus, was transformed into a library with $500,000 from the $14 million bond fund dedicated to the system-wide expansion of library services. The bond fund was approved by Boulder voters in November 1987.
The Meadows branch (7,800 square feet), designed by Peter Heinz in association with Manning/Knapp Architects of Boulder, follows the concept of a bookstore to blend in with the shopping center atmosphere. The interior features a large children's area with a "Play House Wall" and unusual seating designed to accommodate children and their parents for reading and Storyhour, a meeting room with capacity for 129 people, and a glass display case used for exhibiting local artist's work. The Meadows branch also has computers designated for children and several with Internet access and Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel software.