Thursday, March 14- all PPLD locations are closed. There will not be any city, county or lobby stops today.
City Mobile Library Stops
County Mobile Library Stops
Mobile Library Services (MLS)
What's New!
Pikes Peak Library District sparks development, opportunity, and inspiration for everyone across El Paso County. Whether you've got a young one who's learning to read, or you're a lifelong learner looking for a new skill, the library has something for you.
We are excited to share stories of how the Library positively impacts the lives of our patrons.
To tell your story, click here to take our short survey or use the hashtag #shareyourspark on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
OPPORTUNITY
PPLD sparks your opportunity. In this video, hear Allan's story about how the Library helped him improve his English language skills and provide him with GED test preparation. Read more about Allan's personal growth and development through the Library in this article from The Gazette.
DEVELOPMENT
PPLD sparks your development. In this video, learn about how our children's areas are free, safe places that encourage development and growth.
Stay tuned to learn how PPLD can spark your opportunity and your inspiration.
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Have you heard about auto-renewals? Beginning Mon., Feb. 11, PPLD will save you the step of renewing your checkouts.
The day before items are due, the library’s system will automatically renew them if there are no holds and they haven’t already been renewed twice.
There are some exceptions to the materials that can be automatically renewed, including:
- Rapid Read, Rapid View
- eBooks, eAudios
- Equipment
- Interlibrary Loans
Patrons will receive an email notice letting them know what, if anything, was renewed as well as the new due date.
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It's that time again. Taxes are due on Monday, April 15. Lucky for you PPLD has all the information you need to file on time. Visit our Tax Information page for
- Colorado Tax Information
- Federal Tax Information
- State Tax Forms
- Tax Websites
- VITA Locator (free tax prep help)
- AARP Locator
Good luck and happy filing!
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Overdue books? Fear not. Pikes Peak Library District will no longer charge you for being a little bit late on your returns.
The library will officially eliminate overdue fines Fri., Feb. 1, just in time for a county-wide celebration of Library Lover’s Month. Patrons will no longer be financially penalized for books that are late in returning to the library.
“Our mission as an organization is to eliminate barriers to information and resources, not create them,” said Director of Library Services Tim Blevins. “We had a trial run of eliminating overdue fines and didn’t see longer hold times for patrons, but did see a positive impact on borrowing. It makes perfect sense for us to permanently eliminate these fines.”
Fines, Blevins says, are particularly prohibitive for the community’s most vulnerable families. Plus, overdue fines accounted for less than one percent of the library’s overall revenue in 2017.
There will still be fees assessed for lost or damaged materials. Materials are considered lost if they are 21 days overdue.
Additionally, Pikes Peak Library District will roll out automatic renewals later on in Library Lover’s Month. The day before books are due, the library’s system will automatically renew them up to two times, so long as no other patron placed a hold on the material.
There are some exceptions to the materials that can be automatically renewed, like rapid reads, e-materials, and equipment checkouts.
“What we’ve seen here, and in library facilities across the country, is that by taking these steps to increase ease of access to materials, use of library resources and checkouts is positively impacted,” Blevins said. “We’re here to help people access the resources they need to achieve their goals. This is just one more way for us to do a better job of achieving that mission.”
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We want to celebrate your successes! Pikes Peak Library District is looking for stories about how our resources and staff have helped enrich minds, fuel learning and growth, spark imagination and ideas, build community and connections, and/or achieve goals.
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PPLD invites you to participate in 2019’s Winter Adult Reading Program A Universe of Stories! From Feb. 1 - March 31, read books and attend Library programs to win prizes. This year we are challenging you to try something new! While you still have the option of reading 8 books in 8 weeks to win reading prizes, you can now participate in 4 activities in place of reading 4 books.
Reading prizes include a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory chocolate bar, and a polar bear hot/cold pack, and a limited edition 2019 Winter Adult Reading Program mug.
- Complete the first level by reading 4 books, or with a combination of reading 2 books and 2 activities, and win the chocolate bar and hot/cold pack.
- Complete the second level by reading 4 more books, or with a combination of reading 2 more books and 2 activities, and win the mug.
- Complete both levels to be entered into a drawing for a Samsung tablet.
Click here for a complete list of Winter Adult Reading Program events.
Click here for a printable reading log.
Featured Programs
Winter Adult Reading Program Kickoff Parties
Join us for the kickoff of the Winter Adult Reading Program: A Universe of Stories. Come enjoy a hot chocolate bar, find some new reads, and participate in a book swap. Staff members will be on hand to help you register and the first 30 people who register in person at the party will receive a limited edition tote bag. All ages welcome to the party. The reading program is open to ages 18 and up.
- Sat., Feb. 2 from 1 - 3 p.m. at East Library, Library 21c, Penrose Library, Sand Creek Library, High Prairie Library, and Ruth Holley Library
Durthy Washington presents Reading in Reverse: Discovering "the Classics"
This class invites participants to discover classic literature by “reading in reverse.” Creating your reading list for the New Year? Then you won’t want to miss this class!
- Sun., Feb. 10 from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. at East Library
- Wed., Feb. 27 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Penrose Library
Dr. Wanda Tisby Cousar and Ron Cousar present African Storytelling, Drumming, and Percussion
Join Dr. Wanda Tisby Cousar and Ron Cousar for a Black History Month program that will include a West African Dance performed to drumming. They will also tell the true story of the Lion King using an African instrument called a Balafon.
- Wed., Feb. 20 from 6 - 8 p.m. at Penrose Library
Rose Red Elk presents Native American Tales
Oral, spoken word storytelling accompanied by music is Rose Red Elk's passion. She will engage the audience to participate in a song “Keepers of the Earth.”
- Sat., Feb 23 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. at High Prairie Library
- Sat., Feb. 23 from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. at East Library
Ann Doolan-Fox presents The Celtic Road Home
Join Ann Doolan-Fox as she discusses her book, The Celtic Road Home. The book tells the story of her childhood, international adventurous travels, and life journey until the present day.
- CANCELLED:
Sun., March 3 from 2 - 3 p.m. at East Library - Wed., March 6 at 6 p.m. at Penrose Library
Linda Batlin presents Folktales Around the World
Join Linda Batlin for a potpourri of multicultural folktales from around the world, some classic tales, some whimsical stories but all certain to educate and entertain.
- Sat., March 16 from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. at Rockrimmon Library
- Sat., March 16 from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. at Ruth Holley Library
More activities and way to participate
- Write a book review for PPLD
- Download the new PPLD app
- Check out a book in a different format
- Get a book recommendation from PPLD
- Find a new book or author in NoveList Plus
- Read a local author
- Read a new author or genre
- Read a book you should have read in school
- Read a book that was made into a movie
- Read a book about a place you want to visit
- Read a book that has won an award
- Read a book with an opposing viewpoint
- Read a bestseller
- Read a book from a different culture
- Read a cookbook and try out a recipe
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Choose a country you will magically arrive in, real or imaginary. Then use your best sensory details to describe your first impressions in the form of a poem. Think about landscape, people, animals, foods, even emotions and ideas you have as you begin to orient yourself.
Think about all of your five senses. What do you sense around you in this new place?
You are allowed to research your country to learn a little about what you might encounter, or simply to use your imagination to describe a real or imaginary place. Include the name of your country in the title of your poem.
We will select six winners, who will receive $50 each, a book, and a Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration poster!
Eligibility
Open to all fourth and fifth graders in the Pikes Peak region.
Entries may be mailed to:
The Jean Ciavonne Poetry Contest
c/o Nancy Maday
Pikes Peak Library District
PO Box 1579
Colorado Springs, CO 80901
Or, email entries to Nancy Maday at nmaday@ppld.org
Questions? Call (719) 531-6333, x6074.
Winners will be announced in April. An award ceremony will be held April 13, 2019.
Rules
- One entry per student. Teachers are urged to review poems and submit no more than five per class.
- Each poems must be the original work of the student.
- Poems will be judged on originality, including poem title and adherence to the theme.
- Submit two typed, double-spaced copies of each poem on 8.5” x 11” paper. No handwritten copies or illustrations accepted. Please include on a separate piece of paper: name, phone number, home address, school name and address, and teacher and principal’s name. Poems will not be returned. Please keep a copy.
- Entries must be postmarked by Sat., March 2, 2019.
Submission of a poem constitutes full permission to exhibit, use and publish the poem for any purpose – printed or electronic media – and to publish the name, school, and photographs of the student without compensation.
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The 2018 Teen Fiction Anthology is here!
Click the link below to read the award winning stories from the 2018 Teen Fiction Writing Contest.
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Have an adventure with Pikes Peak Library District this summer! Kids and teens (ages 0 - 18) can win prizes through reading and activities, and we will be hosting many free, fun events. You can track your progress online or with game cards available at all PPLD locations.
The adventure runs June 1 - July 31.
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Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) is pleased to announce the selected titles for All Pikes Peak Reads (APPR) 2018, which will run from September 10 - November 17.
For a complete list of events, click here.
Our selected adult title is The Newcomers: Finding Refuge, Friendship, and Hope in an American Classroom by Helen Thorpe. The book explores themes of diversity, multiculturalism, compassion, immigration, endurance, resiliency, and hope. PPLD will use these themes while planning programs of community interest. Our selections for teens and children titles also explore similar themes. (For a list of book club discussion questions for The Newcomers, click here.)
Our title for teens and young adults is Flying Lessons and Other Stories edited by Ellen Oh. Flying Lessons was published in partnership with We Need Diverse Books.
Our children's title is Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña. Last Stop on Market Street was the 2016 Newbery Award winner.
This fall we will present a variety of programs to the community including author visits, film screenings, community discussions and panel presentations, theater productions, art installations and gallery exhibitions, and more. We will be undertaking many of these with our community partners.
We are delighted that our selected authors will be able to join us in the fall. Helen Thorpe will be visiting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 2 at Library 21c. Matt de la Peña (who also wrote a short story included in Flying Lessons and Other Stories) will visit at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 8 at Library 21c.
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The Teen Art Contest is for teens and by teens. Teens create the art, and teens determine the winners.
The theme for our 2018 Teen Art Contest was "Hidden Beauty." Teens were encouraged to show us where they have found hidden beauty in the ordinary, everyday world.
All of the artwork will be displayed at either Penrose Library, East Library, or Library 21c during the month of April.
Here are the winners!
Best In Show
Clear by Isabella Huhn
High School - First Place
Letting Go by Celine Hanlon
High School - Second Place
Masked by Elizabeth Ward
Middle School - First Place
Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder by Connor Murdock
Middle School - Second Place
Beauty of the Mountain by Adyline Poirson
Coordinator’s Choice - High School
Color through Clutter by Rebecca Gearhart
Coordinator’s Choice - Middle School
A Shoe by Adia Byron
You can view the winners here:
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PPLD's Repair Café is in need of BIKE fixers! Fill out a volunteer application at ppld.org/repair-cafe or stop by your local library!
Repair Café is a neighborhood initiative that promotes repair as an alternative to tossing things out. At a Repair Café you’ll find the tools and materials needed to repair your broken items, as well as knowledgeable volunteers who will show you how to do it. Repair Trainers will offer a diagnosis and suggested remedy for broken items, repairing items when possible and otherwise explaining what parts you may need to obtain to complete the repair.
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At an awards ceremony on Mon., Nov. 27, 2017 at the Antlers hotel, Pikes Peak Library District was named Best Workplace by The Gazette in the Extra Large Company (300+ employees) category.
According to The Gazette, PPLD "ranked high among its employees in social responsibility, providing meaningful work, confidence in leadership, being a place workers would recommend to others for employment and operating with strong values and ethics."
Here is a video The Gazette created, which was shown at the ceremony.
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Congratulations to the winners of our first All Pikes Peak Writes, PPLD's adult fiction writing contest. You can read the winning entries by clicking here.
1st Place
"I Don't Blame Him for Dying" bu Andrew Beasley
2nd Place
"Puddle" by Andrea Malcom
3rd Place
"The Photograph" by Jacqueline Peveto
Honorable Mention
"Apostrophe" by Ariane Peveto
Honorable Mention
"Dr. Luckwood" by Jill Long
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The Teen Art Contest is for teens and by teens. Teens create the art, and teens determine the winners.
The theme for our 2017 Teen Art Show & Contest was Transformation Teens were encouraged to show us how art impacts your life, or how it transforms the world around you.
All of the artwork will be displayed at either Penrose Library, East Library, or Library 21c during the month of April. Questions? Contact Becca Phillipsen at (719) 531-6333, x6336 or rphillipsen@ppld.org.
Here are the winners!
Best in Show
"Mirror Reflection" by Aleyah B.
High School
1st Place: "My Fantasy" by Elizabeth W.
2nd Place: "Summer Sunsets" by Kaylee T.
Coordinator’s Choice: "Hands of Time" by Mary R.
Middle School
1st Place: "Transportation through Time" by Liberty H.
2nd Place: "Evolution" by Mikayla R.
Coordinator’s Choice: "Coy Fish Pond" by Kristine B.
You can view the winning works here:
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Reserve your free State Parks Pass and Backpack today by clicking here!
This program is a partnership with the Colorado Department of Education, State Library, local library systems, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. It is meant to encourage Coloradans to visit our State Parks and experience all of the great outdoor recreation that this state has to offer.
Each backpack, which checks out for one week, includes:
- State park pass hang tag for the rear-view mirror
- Guide to Your 42 State Parks
- Binoculars
- Leave No Trace™ card
- Colorado Wildlife Guide
- Activity ideas list
- Colorado Trees and Wildflower Guide
- Fishing Basics tip sheet
- Program evaluation card
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Beginning Jan. 9, 2017, PPLD will no longer charge fines on overdue children and teen items. Removing overdue fines will provide greater opportunity for children and teens to use the full range of library services. Currently, 15% of children and teen cardholders are blocked from checking out items at the library due to overdue fines.
Also, overdue fines on DVDs and games will be reduced from 25 cents per day to 10 cents per day.
PPLD seeks to foster literacy and life-long learning for children and teens. The Library regularly evaluates policies to see what barriers for service exist and evaluates how to eliminate such barriers. The Library’s Board of Trustees approved the new policy at their December meeting.
Items that will not accrue overdue fines must be designated as “juvenile” or “teen” in the Library catalog. The policy will take effect for any items checked out January 9 or after. Lost item and damage fees will still apply.
Overdue notices will still be sent as reminders to return Library items. Items not returned within 21 days of the due date will be considered lost, and the full cost of the item will be charged to the patron’s account.
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Have you read a really great (or really bad) book lately? Tell us all about it! Just fill out this book review form and your review will be posted in the Book Reviews section of ppld.org.
Happy reviewing!
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PPLD would like to wish all our students and parents a great school year. Here are some resources we offer to help with your studies:
- Homework Resources - Elementary School
- Homework Resources - Middle and High School
- Free live online homework help and tutoring in all subjects from Brainfuse (K-12)
- AfterMath: Free in-person math tutoring (K-12)
- Study Buddies: Free in-person homework help and reading practice (K-5)
- Homeschool Hub
And of course, you can always email us at Ask a Librarian for assistance.
Good luck out there!
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After 15 years and 272,236 miles of service to the residents of El Paso County, Mobile Library 698 will be leaving tomorrow to serve another library district in Southern Colorado. Happy trails, old friend!
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