A small group of Hartsel citizens discussed for a number of years that there should be a public library in Hartsel. First thoughts were to join the Park County Library System but the group decided against the idea.  They decided The Hartsel Community Library would operate independently.  On March 24, 1999 an advisory board was selected, consisting of Terry McCarren, Peggy and Dick Johnson, Dennis Shipman, Bob Bender and Jay Hutcheson. A library board was also selected at the same time, consisting of Evelyn Whatley, President; Bernie Hopper, Vice President; Rusty Shippman, Secretary; and Mary Hopper, Treasurer.  Folks from all over the Hartsel area pitched in to help clean out the old schoolhouse, located next door to the Hartsel Community Center.  This was truly a community effort and labor of love. Both newly-selected boards, Lark Harvey, Chris Tingle, Ron Swanigan and even some of the children cleaned, scraped, painted and did their best to turn an old storage building into a public library. James Tingle was able to get a fence that John Venezia from Buena Vista was taking down and donated to the Hartsel Library.   By April 29, 1999, the Head Park County Librarian at the time, Willanne Dye, met with Mary Hopper, Evelyn Whatley, John Rasor and a few more folks to train them on cataloging books and running a public library. Ms. Dye also donated supplies and old book shelves. Even the Town of Guffey Library donated books to kick start the Hartsel Library.  When Harry Leipold realized the group was having trouble fitting the bookshelves into the library space, he came to the rescue measuring and cutting the shelving to fit. The Hartsel Community Center hosted a spaghetti dinner fund raiser with the proceeds going to the new Hartsel Community Library. There were a number of book sales and book drives conducted to raise money and add to the book inventory of the library. Book donations came from as far away as the State of Washington. Cash donations came in from Hutchison Lumber and Dick Krumet as well as many other donations of lumber, furniture, shelving and decorations. At last, the library was ready for its Grand Opening September 25, 1999!