What's New at PPLD!

Check out this article on cnn.com about a librarian that defies all classification:

Tiny librarian is hell on wheels

Need help with your homework or studying for a test? Brainfuse offers live tutoring for all ages. The service’s versatile whiteboard and chat window allow certified tutors to improve your academic skills in several subjects, including math, science, social studies, and English. Tutors are available from 2 – 11 p.m., seven days a week. Find out more (with the help of a punk genie, of course) by watching the video below.

Although this video spot targets teens (and fans of punk genies), there are also services for children and adults, including the Adult Learning Center and Foreign Language Lab.

To access Brainfuse, go to ppld.org and click on Electronic Reference, Education, and then HelpNow!

Homeschoolers are encouraged to join us for our Homeschool Tools program. Learn about all the resources offered by PPLD to help your homeschool experience be successful.

This year we’ll also have a panel of homeschooling parents and homeschooled teens to talk about “The Homeschool Experience”.

• When: Wednesday, September 2, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Where: East Library – 5550 N. Union Blvd.

Call 719-531-6333 x1403 to register.

Check out the 2009 All Pikes Peak Reads commercial!

All Pikes Peak Reads 2009 from PPLD TV on Vimeo.

That’s one cute puppy!

Drop by the East Library (5550 N. Union Blvd.) from August 23 through September 30 to see Empowered Passion: Stand Up and Be Counted. Our city’s greatest citizens, from both the past and present, will be the stars of this special exhibit, hosted by Pikes Peak Library District and the Greenberg Center for Learning and Tolerance.

More than 90 people will be featured, including our city’s founders, philanthropists, activists, artists, musicians, educators and civic leaders. The exhibit will feature a visual display, film presentation and interactive website where the public has the opportunity to nominate their own community leaders.

Both the reception (see below) and the six-week exhibit are free and open to the public. Call 531-6333, x1212 for more information.

Also, come to the Official Reception on Sunday, August 30 at 1:30 p.m. David Csintyan, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce will be the guest speaker, and the Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale will perform.

What visionary do you think has contributed to the development of Colorado Springs? Share your thoughts and see what others think by clicking here.

Also, watch the exhibit’s video below:

What is your family’s legacy? Each of us has a story from our ancestors, or even our own to tell. If these stories are unwritten, how will our children know their heritage? It is up to us to document these experiences. Turn your family history into interesting stories, something your children will be proud of and learn from.

Author Linda Weaver Clarke will offer four Family Legacy Writing Workshops on how to turn history into words. The Old Colorado City Branch and Monument Branch will also host ongoing Family History Writing Classes. You can register for all of these offerings and get more information through the links below.

Family Legacy Workshops

• Cheyenne Mountain Branch, Thursday, August 27, 2 – 4 p.m.
• Fountain Branch, Thursday, August 27, 6 – 8 p.m.
• Old Colorado City Branch, Friday, August 28, 10:30 a.m. – noon
• Monument Branch, Friday, August 28, 3 – 5 p.m.

Family History Writing Class

• Old Colorado City Branch, 6:30 – 8 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month through February 2010, beginning September 2
• Monument Branch, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. on the first and third Monday of each month through March 2010, beginning September 21

This video highlights two great PPLD Databases: Tell Me More, a wonderful way to learn another language; and CultureGrams Online, where you can learn myriad facets of countries and cultures throughout the world.

Come and join us for a FREE viewing of Clint Eastwood’s Golden-Globe nominated Gran Torino (2008)

Date: Tuesday, August 11th
Time: 6:00 – 8:30 pm
Location: East Library, Community Meeting Room

Film: Gran Torino (Rated R)
“Gran Torino is about two things. It’s about the belated flowering of a man’s better nature. And it’s about Americans of different races growing more open to one another in the new century.” ~ Roger Ebert

Refreshments will be served

Sponsors: Pikes Peak Immigrant and Refuge Collaborative and Pikes Peak Library District

Check out our new and improved Teen Zone! You can still find the same resources and features, with a different look and feel:

• Homework Help
• Book Suggestions
• Events
• Job and Volunteer information
• Message Board/Blog
• And much more!

Watch Kathy Brega discuss her unique quilting style. When she began creating quilts, they were somewhat traditional. Her work has evolved, however, and she now incorporates such non-traditional materials as bottle caps, junk mail, and shotgun shells. The results are not so much functional quilts as they are true art.

You can view her innovative work at Briargate Branch in August and at Old Colorado City Branch in September.