Today marks a big step forward for the Boulder Library Foundation. We are pleased to announce that we have hired Chris Barge as our first Executive Director. Chris will formally join us August 23 and will be instrumental in helping us chart a course to further our vision of creating a community of lifetime learning and participation with the Boulder Library Foundation.
Chris joins us from Community Foundation Boulder County, where he’s served in senior leadership positions for the last 13 years, directing fundraising, communications, a school readiness initiative, and the Boulder County TRENDS Report. While at the Community Foundation, Chris also co-founded a Latino parent engagement program called ELPASO – Engaged Latino Parents Advancing Student Outcomes. ELPASO is now a thriving, independent, Latino-run nonprofit organization serving Boulder, Lafayette and Longmont.
Prior to his work in philanthropy, Chris was a newspaper journalist for 10 years, including five years at the Boulder Daily Camera and three years at the late, great Rocky Mountain News. He lives in Boulder with his wife and their two kids, aged 10 and 13.
“We are thrilled to have Chris join us,” proclaimed Alicia Gibb, President of the Boulder Library Foundation. “With his connections throughout the community, his leadership on issues affecting Boulder and its libraries, and his concern for equity and social justice, we believe Chris will be key in helping extend the reach and impact of BLF’s work. With the groundbreaking of the NoBo branch around the corner and the discussion of a Library District with City Council taking shape this fall, Chris’s leadership will help create a vibrant and sustainable future.”
Added Chris, “As we emerge from this pandemic and people look for fresh ways to convene, connect and learn from one another, the value of our libraries is clearer than ever. I’m honored to join forces with such an inspiring staff and board, at such an opportune moment. I look forward to working closely with the staff and patrons of Boulder Public Libraries to help ensure an innovative, sustainable, inclusive and expansive path forward.”
We couldn’t say it better ourselves, Chris! Welcome to Boulder Library Foundation!
