Connecting with People Wherever They Are: Lisa Eller Davis

For Lisa Eller Davis, the Denver Public Library has always been more than a place to borrow books—it has been a steady and inspiring presence throughout her life. From her early days walking to the University Hills Branch as a child to check out the three books she was allowed at a time, to the awe she felt in high school when Central librarians would pull together stacks of research for her papers, Lisa’s connection to the library runs deep.

In 2023, that connection deepened even further when she received an email about the library’s Mobile Services program. “Of all the institutions in this city, I have found that the library is the one meeting people where they are,” Lisa said. “I want to be part of passing that on.” She responded to that email by choosing to support Mobile Services and the eBook collection—both vital tools for expanding access to those who might not otherwise find their way to a library branch.

“To me, Mobile Services is a gateway,” she explained. “It introduces people to the library who might not know anything about it, and once they’re in, they begin to discover all the ways it can serve them.” Whether through a bookmobile, a digital download, or a creative Zoom class like the ones she’s taken through the library herself, Lisa sees accessibility as a foundation for equity and community.

Lisa has experienced firsthand how the library can be a lifeline—through grief, through growth, and through new creative chapters. After her mother passed, the Central Library staff seamlessly helped her donate 63 boxes of books, a quiet yet profound gesture of connection during a difficult time. In recent years, she’s explored new passions through library art programs, book discussions, and even the library’s Intergenerational Choir.

“The library is a lifeline,” she said. “There is so much the library offers that has nothing to do with reading—it nurtures creativity, builds community, and serves people in ways no other institution does or can.”

From a regular donor to a champion for access, Lisa’s generosity reflects her lifelong belief in the library as a place that meets everyone, exactly where they are.