Categories
PPLD's Maker in Residence for October and November 2015 was Kristina Winnett, a self-taught mixed-media artist who has spent most of her life in Colorado Springs. Choosing to pursue studies in the Sciences in college, she longed to participate in artistic processes, yet felt that required a natural ability to draw. Having always been crafty, she found Art Journaling (the combination of Art and Words) in 2005. It was love at first site, because the first rule of Art Journaling is that there are no rules. This medium is such an easy and non-intimidating way to jump into the playfulness of creativity, that even a trained scientist could do it. She longs to share this passion with all who wish to create something personal and meaningful, yet have felt intimidated to begin.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information.
PPLD's Maker in Residence for May and June 2015 was Michelle Lim, a self-taught designer, animator, and maker of various things at the intersection of art and technology. She lives in Denver and is originally from Queens, NY. Education and community are essential to her work, which includes teaching creative technology in Denver public schools and designing digital programs at the Denver Art Museum. Inspired by her favorite short story — The Garden of Forking Paths by Jorge Luis Borges — she explored the many lives of infinitely complex patterns through video, sculpture, and interactive media during her residency and community workshops.
You can view the finished project at forking-paths.tumblr.com.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information.
Deb Ross was PPLD’s first Artist in Residence. She has enjoyed painting and drawing since she was a little girl. She still loves crayons! Deb has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Art Education from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania. Her artistic career has included both teaching and commercial art. A resident of Colorado Springs for over 30 years, Deb has taught at The Colorado Springs Senior Center, The Bemis School of Art at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, and Colorado Technical University.
Deb likes introducing beginners to creating art and inspiring more experienced artists to try new ideas. Creating art is the most fun you can have with a pencil or a paint brush!
Deb conducted Drawing for the Total Beginner and Letters into Art workshops for the public during her residency. She also painted acrylics and watercolors during her studio hours.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information.
Kim Hetherington was PPLD's Maker in Residence for January and February 2015 .
Her introduction to bookbinding was in the nonfiction section of the East Library. Kim was perusing the shelves and was more than thrilled to find a book on making books. Unfortunately, she was also a bit intimidated as the book explained historical bookbinding methods and listed costly pieces of equipment and tools. For a few years, she allowed this intimidation to keep me from trying my hand at it. Kim thought bookbinding required talent and equipment she did not possess. How wrong she was.
Books can be made simply with a few inexpensive materials, or they can be time-intensive pieces made with traditional bookbinding tools and equipment. A private class showed Kim how to create her first book with a handful of common tools and a few pieces of simple materials. She was hooked. Kim had the fortune of attending further bookbinding classes at Pikes Peak Community College, American Academy of Bookbinding, and with bookbinder Jim Croft. She also attend local classes and created books with and designed by Kylin Lee, Jill K. Berry, Carol Sloan, Marsh Sterling, and Pam Leutz.
While in residence, Kim taught classes about Japanese Bookbinding and Leather Journals.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information.
Patti Smithsonian was PPLD's Maker in Residence for February and March 2015. Her puppet shows portray ancient folktales using contemporary language and humor.
Her one-woman puppet theater has been featured at international festivals and venues including The Detroit Institute of Art, The Seattle Puppet Festival, New York International Busker Fest, Institut International de la Marionnette (France), The Santa Fe Sculpture Ranch, The
Telluride World Theater Festival, The San Francisco Puppetry Festival, and The Shilong Moon Festival (Taiwan).
Ms. Smithsonian has studied shadow puppetry in Turkey, Taiwan, and France. She uses laser cutters, acrylic plastics, alcohol inks, and high-powered projectors to create her shadow theater. She uses electronically projected light and shadow in creating light shows for theater, rock bands, and performance art — as well as narrative puppet plays.
While in residence, Ms. Smithsonian taught classes about Chinese Dragon Shadow Puppets and Modern Shadow Puppets: Animals.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information.
RoxAnne Krute began her creative journey at an early age. An affinity for playing with color, texture and composition has been an underlying influence in her continued exploration of various mediums throughout her life. In addition to collecting a variety of materials and tools needed for each creative venture, she has a fondness for aged and unusual objects, which she attributes to her grandmother’s influence.
This background, together with a formal education in fine art and graphic design, provides a “perfect storm” for art expressions using mixed media. She admits that even though this evolution in her art making is still in its infancy, the joy she experiences in the “play” of art-making is something she is passionate about sharing.
While in residence, RoxAnne taught Beginning Mixed Media Collage on Canvas classes.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information.
We are so excited to announce the Teen Fiction Writing 2015 Anthology is complete! The anthology features our winners and honorable mentions from the 2015 contest.
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it." - Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
Nelle Harper Lee has died at the age of 89. Lee won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1961 for her book, To Kill a Mockingbird, one of the great works of American literature. Search the Catalog for titles by Harper Lee
The results are in!
Newbery Medal
The Newbery Medal for "the most distinguished American children's book" of 2016 was awarded to Last Stop on Market Street, written by Matt de la Peña.
"The celebratory warmth is irresistible, offering a picture of community that resonates with harmony and diversity." - Booklist.
Caldecott Medal
Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear by Lindsay Mattick, is the 2016 Caldecott Medal winner.
"A perfect melding of beautiful art with soulful, imaginative writing, this lovely story, penned by Colebourn's great-great granddaughter, is ideal for sharing aloud or poring over individually." - School Library Journal.
PPLD's Award Booklists:
Visit the Newbery Medal and Caldecott Medal websites for a full list of Honor books.
The Teen Art Contest is for teens and by teens. Teens create the art, and teens determine the winners.
The theme for our 2015 Teen Art Show & Contest was Out of This World. Teens were encouraged to think beyond the scope of the everyday and explore a fantastical realm or the deepest depths of space through art.
A HUGE thank you to our sponsors Meininger Art Supply and Her Story Café for donating prizes for the teen artists!
Middle School
Isabella Wright
"Deep Sea Universe"
Middle School - 1st Place
Andrea Lira
"The World Is Too Big for Us to Hold
Middle School - 2nd Place
High School
Hector Medrano
"Moon Rise"
High School - 1st Place
Molly Meyer
"Melted Hearts"
High School - 2nd Place
Natalia Valentine
Infinite Sky
High School - Coordinators' Choice
Best of Show
Pamela Flores
"Space Encounter"
Middle School - Best of Show
Taylor Logar
"It Looks Cooler Upside Down"
High School - Best of Show
The great David Bowie passed away on January 10, 2016 after an 18 month battle with cancer. What can we say? His legacy cannot be understated. A multi-talented trailblazer who made some of the most powerful music of recent times. I try to think of my favorite, but it's impossible to pick just one, especially since his lexicon is so varied. Perhaps "Heroes", "Space Oddity", or "Changes"? When I hear "Space Oddity" I get goosebumps. "Kooks" is a love song to my six year old daughter. His "Blue Jean" music video opened the door. And that's just his music. Bowie was also an actor, producer, songwriter, and style icon.
Click here to learn more about David Bowie.
Want to hear some Bowie? Try PPLD's Hoopla and Freegal services. Hoopla lets you stream music and temporarily download songs. Freegal allows you to download up to 5 songs per week for free. You will need a valid library card to access these services.
What's your favorite David Bowie song?
PPLD checked out a whopping 8 million titles in 2015! Here are lists of the top ten titles by number of checkouts for 2015. How many of these have you read?
Adult Fiction and Nonfiction
- The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. Total Checkouts = 2492
- All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Total Checkouts = 1747
- Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee. Total Checkouts = 1218
- Memory Man by David Baldacci. Total Checkouts = 1149
- In the Kingdom of Ice by Hampton Sides. Total Checkouts = 1005
- The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. Total Checkouts = 847
- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. Total Checkouts = 804
- Gray Mountain by John Grisham. Total Checkouts = 800
- A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler. Total Checkouts = 775
- 14th Deadly Sin by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro. Total Checkouts = 662
Juvenile Fiction
- Wonder by R.J. Palacio. Total Checkouts = 1770
- Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. Total Checkouts = 923
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck by Jeff Kinney. Total Checkouts = 813
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul by Jeff Kinney. Total Checkouts = 716
- Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss. Total Checkouts = 678
- Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss. Total Checkouts = 625
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling. Total Checkouts = 620
- Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. Total Checkouts = 603
- The Cat in the Hat Comes Back! by Dr. Seuss. Total Checkouts = 585
- Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage. Total Checkouts = 577
Teen Fiction
- The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. Total Checkouts = 770
- The Maze Runner by James Dashner. Total Checkouts = 711
- The Giver by Lois Lowry. Total Checkouts = 627
- The Scorch Trials by James Dashner. Total Checkouts = 608
- Paper Towns by John Green. Total Checkouts = 582
- If I Stay by Gayle Forman. Total Checkouts = 493
- Allegiant by Veronica Roth. Total Checkouts = 481
- Insurgent by Veronica Roth. Total Checkouts = 478
- Four : A Divergent Collection by Veronica Roth. Total Checkouts = 446
- The Death Cure by James Dashner. Total Checkouts = 425
Want to review a book? Fill out our Book Review Form!
There is a $50 fee for makers selling merchandise at the Colorado Springs Mini Maker Faire. If you wish to sell any items, you must have a city sales tax license and collect tax yourself.
If you are not selling anything at the Faire, you do not have to pay.
The dedication of Pikes Peak Library District staff went above and beyond the call of duty during the Tri-Building Capital Campaign. Having challenged themselves to raise $50,000 for the campaign, the staff committee held various events for PPLD employees. The events included a Sushi and Sake tasting, a Downton Abbey Tea and Tour held at Grace and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, and a Tuesday Night Karma Hour held at Bristol Brewing Co., along with other events.
Many staff members also choose to donate back to the Pikes Peak Library District Foundation through payroll deductions. This type of dedication and support from the staff at PPLD went a long way in making the Tri-Building Capital Campaign a success.
Staff Committee Members:
Greg Roes
Margaret Morris
Karin Huxman
Tina Marie Matiatos
Missy Hernandez
Amy Rodda
Sandy Hancock
Deborah Worthey
Cheryl Martin
Gale Directory Library contains a wide variety of information that can help you start and grow your business. The database is a combination of several directories that cover the Encyclopedia of Associations, from the local to international level, as well as the Gale Directory of Early Stage Investment.
If you're looking for funding for your business, the Directory of Early Stage Investment could be a great place to start. It includes detailed information on venture capitalists, business incubators, angel investors, corporate investment divisions, crowd-funding and co-operative groups.
The Encyclopedia of Associations can help you identify associations that might apply to your topic or industry. Associations are valuable sources of information because they often will collect data on their industry of interest. Many associations have whole libraries of data and statistics that can help you with market research, competitors, industry reports, and much more. Becoming a member of a relevant association can be well worth the membership fee not just for the industry information that they can provide you with, but for making connections with others in your industry.
You can search the Gale Directory Library by entity name, keyword, or subject. Search the entire database, or use the "Advanced Search" function to search just a specific publication.
You can access this and other business databases through PPLD's Business/Finance subject guide. If you're accessing the database from your home or office, you will be prompted to login using your library card number and PIN. Once you login you have access to this resource totally free!
Take some time to explore this resource and, as always, we're here to help if you have questions!
The Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District are now selling books online, through Amazon, Ebay and our web store. The Friends growing online collection features an assortment of both non-fiction and fiction, including history, textbooks, best-sellers and more. Purchases benefit Pikes Peak Library District. Now you can purchase books for yourself and help us provide books for others. Contact us if you have questions.
Purchasing a courtyard paver is a great way to honor family and friends, commemorate memories and events, or to publicize your organization or business. Your purchase of a courtyard paver also contributes to PPLD's Tri-Building project, providing 21st Century Library service through innovative library spaces and technology for everyone in our community.
Commemorative pavers are now available at Fountain Library!
Congratulations to the winners of the Teen Fiction Writing Contest! All the winners stories will be published in an anthology—details on the anthology to come!
Results:
Middle School
- 1st place: "Usual" by Anika Nelsestuen
- 2nd place: "My Home" by Emma Rose Bufkin
- 3rd place: "Shaded Sprouts" by Selena Mendez
- Honorable mention: "Journey to the Top" by Maggie Frohnhoefer
- Honorable mention: "Up To You" by Ally Hall
High School
- 1st place: “Wings” by Maggie Hart
- 2nd place: "And the Heavens Split" by Sariah Smith
- 3rd place: "Strength in the Shadows" by Emma DeHerrera
- Honorable mention: "To Renuvial" by Jacqueline Dunn
- Honorable mention: "The Unexpected" by Mariah Mayhugh
Terry Pratchett, the immensely popular British fantasy novelist whose more than 70 books include the series known as Discworld, died on Thursday at his home near Salisbury, England. He was 66. Beloved by many readers, he will most certainly be missed.
Click here for a list of titles by Terry Pratchett
available at Pikes Peak Library District.
"It is hard for me to believe that there will never, ever be another book from the Disc. For years, I have waited with excitement for the newest installment from Sir Terry's universe. Each new book was better than the last: funny, insightful, and built in an immensely rich world populated with people and places that were real and widely loved. I wanted to visit Ankh Morpork. I wanted to enroll in Unseen University. I wanted to drink scumble with Nanny Ogg. I would have killed to serve in Sam Vimes' Guard. Everyone has some time in their lives when they have a brush with the famous. My proudest such moment is the time I actually had dinner with Sir Terry. He was a lover of libraries, and donated his time to the Boston Public Library for the cost of a Thai Dinner, which I was privileged to share with him. I will never forget it, and I will never forget the happy hours his work brought me. I will miss his voice immensely.
(BTW: I asked Sir Terry during dinner about his favorite character. He was writing Wintersmith at the time, and said that he was currently fascinated by Tiffany Aching. He did say, however, that he most aspired to be Sam Vimes. I told him I knew it. Because I do, too)."
-Carolyn Coulter - PPLD IT Officer
Please help up create a lasting legacy honoring one our communities most beloved leaders: Judy Noyes.
When Dick and Judy Noyes opened the Chinook Bookstore in 1950 in downtown Colorado Springs, they began writing a story of passion for reading, community service, leadership and a deep commitment to First Amendment rights. Since Judy’s passing earlier this year, friends, family members and colleagues have established several funds in honor of her various community passions.
Because Judy served as a PPLD Foundation Director and supported the library in numerous other ways over the years, PPLD would like to celebrate her memory with the creation of a new children’s garden in front of Penrose Library. Because Judy believed absolutely in everyone’s right to read, and in the power of literacy---especially for our children, and because she also had a passion for maintaining the downtown area as a vibrant space within our community, we believe a children’s garden in the midst of downtown would provide an excellent way for the community to remember her. Dick Noyes joins us in thanking you so much for considering a donation to make the Judy Noyes Children’s Garden a reality.
If you have questions about a gift, please call the Pikes Peak Library District Foundation at (719) 884-9850.
The results are in!
The Newbery Medal for "the most distinguished American children's book" of 2015 was awarded to The Crossover, written by Kwame Alexander.
"Twelve-year-old narrator Josh Bell uses the rhythms of a poetry jam to emulate the "moving & grooving/popping and rocking" of life on the basketball court with his twin brother, J.B. This powerful novel in verse paints an authentic portrait of a closely-knit family on the brink of crisis. Swish! This book is nothing but net!"
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend, illustrated by Dan Santat, is the 2015 Caldecott Medal winner.
"In four delightful “visual chapters,” Beekle, an imaginary friend, undergoes an emotional journey looking for his human. Santat uses fine details, kaleidoscopic saturated colors, and exquisite curved and angular lines to masterfully convey the emotional essence of this special childhood relationship."
PPLD's Award Booklists:
Visit the Newbery Medal and Caldecott Medal websites for a full list of Honor books.
For what it's worth, my daughter and I LOVE Beekle!
All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr, was awarded the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
"An imaginative and intricate novel inspired by the horrors of World War II and written in short, elegant chapters that explore human nature and the contradictory power of technology."
The High Prairie Seed Library officially launched on Saturday, April 25, 2015!
PPLD is very proud of the hard work that Rhonda Curtis, High Prairie staff member extraordinaire, has put into this 2 year project.
High Prairie Library kicked off the grand opening with a speech from Rhonda (and tutorial), ribbon cutting, cake (carrot), refreshments, and lots of community engagement! In the process of creating the Seed Library we have made some strong connections to our communities in the area, garden clubs, and independent farmers, including generations of growers in the county extending to Calhan.
High Prairie Library will conduct a contest for the biggest pumpkin patrons can grow using the giant pumpkin seeds from the Seed Library! The pumpkins will be judged at the 4th Annual Harvest Festival on October 3, 2015.
A special thanks goes to the High Prairie Friends and staff, who have all contributed both time and resources to help get the Seed Library open.
The High Prairie Seed Library joins the Manitou Springs Seed Library as PPLD's two seed repositories.
Pikes Peak Library District is pleased to announce the winners of the 2015 Jean Ciavonne Poetry Contest for Children:
- Olivia Heath - "The Net Bringer"
- Delia Rose Philips - "The Homework Helping Heroine"
- Kate Vasquez - "Hope"
- Ansley Irrgang - "The Hero Inside of Me"
- Ryan Blumenhein - "Drill Hand Man"
- Landon Janc - "Super Noodle Doo"
Congratulations!
Colorado Poet Laureate Joseph Hutchison was featured on KCME's Culture Zone program which aired on March 29 and 30, 2015. Keith Simon of KCME 88.7 conducted the interview.
Many thanks to KCME for sharing the audio with us!