Sat., April 21: The County Mobile Library will have a delayed first stop of 10:30 a.m. at Calhan City Hall.
City Mobile Library Stops
County Mobile Library Stops
chat loading...
Mobile Library Services (MLS)
What's New!
The Challenge
Write an original fiction story of up to 2,500 words that begins with the sentence “The letter could not have come at a worse time.” This year’s first sentence was chosen by New York Times best-selling author, Sandhya Menon. What happens after that is up to you!
Guidelines
- The entry must begin with the line “The letter could not have come at a worse time.”
- Must be ages 12 to 18.
- Must be an El Paso County resident
- Word count must not exceed 2,500 words. Word count will be established by using Microsoft Word 2010. Points will be automatically deducted from the total score of the piece if the word count exceeds 2,500 words.
- Pieces must include title page with title and author’s name. The author’s name should not appear anywhere else on the document.
- Pieces must be double-spaced and in 12 point Times New Roman or Calibri font with the title and page number in the upper right-hand corner.
- Only one entry per person.
- Failure to follow the guidelines will result in disqualification.
- You must fill out the online entry form and submit your piece here by Mon., June 25, 2018 at 11:59 pm. The file format should be compatible with Microsoft Word 2010. If you need to convert a file, please visit a library location.
FAQs
- When will I know if I have won? We will notify participants by mid-July if they have won an award. All participants and their friends and family are invited to the Awards Ceremony on Sunday, July 29 at 2:30 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room at the East Library, regardless of if they won an award.
- Are you publishing the anthology again? Yes! We will be publishing the top five in both middle school and high school (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and two honorable mentions).
- Will I get feedback for my work? Yes! You will receive a copy of your story with comments via email after the awards ceremony.
- Do I have to turn in my story online? Yes. To better facilitate the process, we are requiring all stories be turned in digitally. You can stop by any PPLD location to use one of our computers for this purpose.
Comments: 0
Pikes Peak Library District is pleased to welcome Library Market as our new meeting room and calendar software provider. Library Market has a proven track record of providing quality products. Library Market will go live on Tuesday, May 15, replacing our current meeting room and calendar software. There will be a blackout time from May 11 - 14 where you won't be able to make reservations or register for programs and classes.
One helpful change is all of our study rooms will be in Library Market for you to reserve online. Study rooms can be reserved one week out, once per day for a maximum of two hours.
Library Market is mobile friendly. This means you can sign up for study rooms and programs, as well as reserve rooms, all from your smartphone.
Want to see what the product looks like? Sarasota Public Library is using it:
https://scgovlibrary.librarymarket.com
Feel free to take a look around but be aware that while Sarasota uses the same system, ours will have differences. Library Market is catering their product to our needs. Sarasota's page will give you a general idea of what we are moving to.
PPLD recognizes that sometimes change can be challenging, but we're confident you will be satisfied with our new system.
Comments: 0
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.
Registration begins June 1, but you can set up your Beanstack account now at ppld.beanstack.org.
Questions? Email beanstackhelp@ppld.org.
Comments: 0
In April, PPLD is focusing on going green with sustainability, recycling, upcycling, and gardening programs!
Click here for a list of events.
You can also check out the PPLD Green Team Facebook page for more green programs!
Comments: 0
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:
Comments: 0
PPLD is seeking teens to help with this year's Summer Adventure program!
Limited positions are available. Please apply by May 1, 2018.
Applicants must be ages 12 - 18 as of June 1.
Comments: 0
Creativity and imagination abound in the Pikes Peak region. Show off your talents by entering All Pikes Peak Writes, PPLD's 3rd annual fiction writing contest for adults. Submit your entry to All Pikes Peak Writes from February 15 - April 16.
Below, you will find contest rules, submission deadlines, and other useful information as you begin your writing.
You can read last year's winning entries here.
Eligibility
All Pikes Peak Writes is open to those who are ages 18 and over and who currently live in El Paso County. Employees of Pikes Peak Library District and members of the judging panel are not eligible.
Rules for entry
- Only one work may be submitted per entrant.
- Qualifying stories are: original, previously unpublished, and no longer than 3,500 words.
- Stories must be double-spaced and typed in 12-point Times New Roman or Calibri font.
- Works may be of any genre.
- Two copies of the story must be included with an All Pikes Peak Writes Entry Form and returned to any Pikes Peak Library District location, OR submitted online to allpikespeakwrites@ppld.org along with a submission form.
- Acceptable file formats include: .pdf, .doc, .docx
- Entries will be accepted beginning February 15 at all PPLD locations and online.
- All entries must be submitted to any PPLD location or postmarked by Monday, April 16 at 9 p.m.
- Entrant’s name should only appear on the submission form (not any of the story pages.)
- The title of the story should appear on the upper right corner of each page followed by the page number.
Judging
Entries will be judged on quality of writing, use of language, and overall impression of the work. The judging panel may include library staff, local authors, and previous winners. The decision of the judges is final.
Awards
Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place entries. An award ceremony will be held at noon on Saturday, May 5 during the Mountain of Authors program at Library 21c.
Comments: 8
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.
Comments: 0
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.
Comments: 4
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
Comments: 0
June 26, 2017 marked the 20th anniversary of the release of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling. The Harry Potter franchise is enormous and boasts a fan base of millions. The Harry Potter series is still being read worldwide by children and adults alike. From the closet under the stairs at 4 Privet Drive to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry's story begins here.
Click here for books about Harry Potter.
Do you know your house? Leave it in the comments. I'll start, Hufflepuff!
Comments: 8
This opportunity provides two high schools juniors or seniors, or incoming college freshmen, from diverse populations with summer-long paid internships at Pikes Peak Library District. The interns will work at one of the 14 Pikes Peak Library District locations up to 20 hours a week developing a project with the help of a mentor. The interns will have the opportunity to engage with multiple facets of library life, from administrations to programming to user services. Interns will have opportunities to connect with one another, and learn from mentors across the country.
Minimum qualifications to apply:
- Not have any disciplinary offenses incurred in the last year
- Be an incoming high school junior or senior, or college freshman for the Fall 2018 term
- Have parent/guardian approval to participate upon selection. (Required if under age 18.)
- Please attach a letter of recommendation from a teacher or other adult (not family) who can speak to your leadership skills, ability to develop and pursue a goal, or your community involvement.
- 2.5 GPA or higher, please provide transcript or report card.
- Commitment to attend two funded trips: Kick-off in Washington D.C. (June) and Wrap-up in Chicago (Sept. or Oct.) NOTE: Student must have valid ID for travel.
- Commitment to work paid local project hours for 10 weeks at up to 20 hours/week at assigned location (either Sand Creek or Penrose Library, respectively) at a rate of $10.20 per hour.
Important Dates:
This program is funded by the Pikes Peak Library District Foundation and offered in conjunction with the Public Library Association with the support of the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences grant.
Comments: 0
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) 884-9800, 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:
Comments: 0
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
Comments: 14
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.
Comments: 10
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!
Comments: 2
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 chat with a librarian by clicking the "Chat Now!" button, or email us at Ask a Librarian.
Good luck out there!
Comments: 0
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!
Comments: 0