The ReciproCard Report: Colorado
Overview
Colorado runs on agreements, and there are a lot of them.
Colorado has 14 separate Libby catalogs, which means 14 different collections of books sitting in the same state. Libraries here have struck reciprocal agreements with each other so their cardholders can cross over, and I've confirmed 889 new card opportunities as a result.
Libraries and Libby Participation
Library systems: 101
On Libby: 74 (73.3%)
Not on Libby: 27
The ones not on Libby: Akron Public Library, Baca County Library, Burlington Public Library, Dolores Library District/Montezuma County, East Cheyenne County Library District, Fleming Community Library (School/Public), Fowler Public Library, Haxtun Public Library, Holyoke/Heginbotham Library, Hugo Public Library, Jackson County Public Library, John C. Fremont Library District (Florence), plus 15 more. ReciproCard only tracks Libby, so I can't say what those libraries use instead.
Not every library system uses Libby. Some offer digital borrowing through other services, and a few haven't adopted a digital platform yet. This report only covers libraries that are on Libby.
Unique Catalogs
Colorado has 14 different shared digital catalogs. Every one you can reach through a partnership, an agreement, or a non-resident card is a different library of books on Libby. The collections really do differ from one system to the next, so every new card here is a real upgrade.
A shared digital catalog, sometimes called a consortium, is a collection of ebooks and audiobooks that multiple library systems fund and share together. Each catalog listed below is a separate collection. Libraries that belong to the same one are all drawing from the same pool of books.
Ten Largest Catalogs
| Catalog | Library systems |
|---|---|
| Across Colorado Digital Consortium | 35 |
| Marmot Library Network | 21 |
| Front Range Downloadable Library | 7 |
| Arapahoe Libraries | 1 |
| Aurora Public Library | 1 |
| Denver Public Library | 1 |
| Douglas County Libraries | 1 |
| Durango Public Library | 1 |
| High Plains Library District | 1 |
| Jefferson County Public Library | 1 |
Plus 4 more, 11 of which serve a single library.
A shared catalog is what happens when a group of libraries pool their money and buy one collection together. ReciproCard hides libraries that share a catalog you already have, because a second card for the same collection just shows you the same books twice. Everything counted below is a collection you don't already have.
New Card Opportunities
New card opportunities: 889
Through agreements: 889
Every one of Colorado's 74 Libby libraries has at least one new card opportunity attached to it.
A new card opportunity is any time a library system's cardholders can access a Libby catalog they don't already have, as identified by ReciproCard. These come from Libby partnerships (where your existing card works at another library's catalog), reciprocal agreements (where you apply for a free card at another system), and statewide programs (where a library is open to all residents regardless of location). ReciproCard filters out duplicate catalogs, so each opportunity listed here represents access to a genuinely different collection. Keep in mind that ReciproCard only tracks agreements that include Libby access. Many libraries have reciprocity for physical books but not Libby, and those aren't counted here.
Open to everyone in the state
97 libraries in Colorado will give a card to any resident of the state, not just people in their own town or county. 7 let you apply online and 90 want you to come in.
It's easy to miss, because you'd assume an agreement only covers the next county over. In Colorado a lot of these reach the whole state.
How Colorado Compares
- 26th of 51 for number of library systems (101).
- Tied for 14th of 51 for separate Libby catalogs (14).
- 10th of 51 for new card opportunities (889).
- Largest catalog: Across Colorado Digital Consortium (35 libraries).
Explore Other States
Haven't Searched Your Own Library Yet?
This report gives you the statewide picture, but your results depend on your local system. If you haven't already, enter your home library system in the search above to see what cards you might be eligible for.