Salida Regional Library

Salida Regional Library Salida Regional Library is a Carnegie Library serving Chaffee County and surrounding areas since 1909.

See you tomorrow! Teams up to 4.
06/02/2026

See you tomorrow!
Teams up to 4.

FREE Virtual only author chatJune 3, 12:00-1:00Your Ticket to the Best State Fair Crafts with Smithsonian Curator Mary S...
05/31/2026

FREE Virtual only author chat
June 3, 12:00-1:00

Your Ticket to the Best State Fair Crafts with Smithsonian Curator Mary Savig

A Library Speakers Consortium and Smithsonian Institution Collaboration

Join us for a fascinating discussion with Smithsonian Curator Mary Savig on the history and significance of craft at state fairs—from blue-ribbon quilts to sculpted butter cows, and so much more!

A Dolly Parton crop art portrait. Size-96 cowboy boots. A button quilt. State Fairs: Growing American Craft features more than 100 photos of extraordinary and unconventional crafts from state and tribal fairs, including needlework, basketry, jewelry, ceramics, crop art, butter sculpture, and saddles. The catalog highlights personal stories and regional and cultural traditions, creating a vibrant portrait of American life. Come one, come all! State Fairs has a little something for everyone.

Register now to hear about the fascinating (and often surprising) world of American state fair crafts!

About the Author:

Mary Savig is The Fleur and Charles Bresler Curator-in-Charge of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery. She holds a PhD in American Studies from the University of Maryland, College Park.

REGISTER HERE

https://libraryc.org/salidalibrary/161067/register

and then enjoy this virtual author talk from the comfort of your own home.

Come see us at the Bookmobile this summer for all the good reads!
05/30/2026

Come see us at the Bookmobile this summer for all the good reads!

The summer schedule is live!See you soon…
05/30/2026

The summer schedule is live!

See you soon…

Salida Library Local History CornerSalida local and O.G. Library User Catherine Hayden passed recently. She was one of t...
05/29/2026

Salida Library Local History Corner

Salida local and O.G. Library User Catherine Hayden passed recently. She was one of the Salida Library's best patrons. Catherine participated in the Salida Library's oral history interview project, which were done in the early 2000s. Here's a small and amazing excerpt from Catherine's October 2003 interview. Never stop reading, kids.
--
Q: [What do you remember] about your schooling?

Catherine: All I remember mostly about [Longfellow] school was just the friends that were there. I don't really even remember anything about school, except I was not good in spelling. And in the 4th grade, Mrs. [Reva] Holman put me and several other kids in the 'Dumb Bunny Room.' But, she taught us how to read, and I've enjoyed reading all the rest of my life.
--
Here's an audio link to Catherine's entire interview. It is worth a listen if you want to hear some Salida history.

Interviews are all part of the Salida Regional Library's Collection. Link here to the entire collection, which includes transcripts:

https://digital.salidalibrary.org/interviews/

Today, the last of the Mountain Mail's newspaper collection was taken to the Salida Library. With help from Joy at the l...
05/28/2026

Today, the last of the Mountain Mail's newspaper collection was taken to the Salida Library. With help from Joy at the library, volunteers Dustin and Marnie dedicated their time and muscle to moving the rest of the collection from the Mail offices to the library.

BIG THANKS to Steve Chapman for organizing this endeavor, and to Dustin and Marnie, who should be getting free drinks from all the bars in town tonight!!

Thanks everybody!!

https://heartoftherockiesradio.com/volunteers-preserve-decades-of-salida-newspaper-history/

Salida Library Local History CornerThe following images of Tuffy Chambers are courtesy Cecily Windels Ketterer. Floyd 'T...
05/28/2026

Salida Library Local History Corner

The following images of Tuffy Chambers are courtesy Cecily Windels Ketterer.

Floyd 'Tuffy' Chambers was a star football player at Salida High School, and was a prominent force in SHS's phenomenal state championship wins during the 1930s. He was class president and captain of the football team in 1937-38.

Fellow SHS star player Oliver Brenton was his best friend, and Tuffy was there when Coach White accidentally shot and killed Oliver in January 1937. Here's links to Oliver's obit in the Salida Daily Mail:

https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=SLM19370111-01.2.5&dliv=none&e=-------en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN%7CtxCO%7CtxTA-tuffy+chambers+captain-------0------

https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=SLM19370111-01.2.7&srpos=3&dliv=none&e=-------en-20--1-byDA-img-txIN%7CtxCO%7CtxTA-tuffy+chambers+captain-------0------

After graduation, Tuffy went on to play at Northwestern University, and he then signed on with the Detroit Lions as a free agent. During WWII, he served in the Navy as a lieutenant commander.

In the group shot, Tuffy is at far left, #30, and Oliver is standing next to him, #41. Does anyone know the identities of the other two players?

The archive dept. at the library has been investigating the color pattern of the 1930s SHS football uniforms and if the pants were also purple. We think so, but want to make sure. Does anyone happen to have a uniform from this era in their possession? We would love to see an image so please share if you can!

Summer sign up from 3:30-5:00 will be INSIDE the library. See you soon! Adorable puppy for attention.
05/27/2026

Summer sign up from 3:30-5:00 will be INSIDE the library.

See you soon!
Adorable puppy for attention.

Don't miss this chance to read with our friendly pup! Call today to reserve your spot! 539-4826
05/27/2026

Don't miss this chance to read with our friendly pup! Call today to reserve your spot! 539-4826

Address

405 E Street
Salida, CO
81201

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 7pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Telephone

(719) 539-4826

Website

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