DIS TRIC T DISC VERY
Your favorite collector’s mug. Details inside. p. 12
HERE, OUR PERSONALIZED CARE LEADS TO MIRACULOUS THINGS.
Letter from the Chief Librarian and CEO
As our community changes, so does Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD).
This can be seen in the exhibit When East Was East, which is featured in this issue and launches on Sat., Feb. 1 at East Library. The exhibit examines how Colorado Springs has grown over the decades and how PPLD has shifted its service to accommodate a changing city.
The Library has also changed as new technology becomes available. The online part of the exhibit showcases how PPLD is harnessing that tech to make our archives more accessible and interactive.
Harnessing new technology is not the only way PPLD is strategic. We also have several strategic service librarians on staff with specific areas of expertise, some of which are featured in this magazine.
And when you are done reading this magazine, go read some books and win prizes! Learn more about our Winter Adult Reading Program as you read about historic literary women.
Thank you for reading!
Teona Shainidze-Krebs Chief Librarian and CEO
Pikes Peak Library District
A FOCUSED STRATEGY
Pikes Peak Library District’s (PPLD) Adult Education department includes three strategic services librarians, each specializing in a specific area.
TARAH RUFF
Strategic Services Librarian | Business research.ppld.org/businessresources
“East Library was my home library,” recalls Tarah Ruff, who was born and raised in Colorado Springs. “I didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up. I had some rough times, and the Library was the first place I worked after those rough times. I started as a shelver at East Library and that really clinched it for me. It was very clear to me—I just wanted to work for Pikes Peak Library District.”
She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree and then a masters of library & information science, and has worked a variety of jobs with PPLD over the years.
As a strategic services librarian, she assists entrepreneurs, small business owners, and people looking to start a business.
By Jeremiah Walter
start advertising or looking for where their customer base is. And we have really good databases for that.”
"[Data Axle] is my bread and butter in terms of databases,” continues Ruff. “We sit down and dial in the characteristics of the customer base they're looking for and generate things like marketing lists based on characteristics of their ideal customer.”
“There are so many different steps in starting a business. Unless you're already plugged into it, it's difficult to know what to do,” explains Ruff. “I'm sometimes the first person patrons have talked to outside of their friends and family. They just need to share their ideas and their fears. That's a really special position to be in, because sometimes they just need encouragement from someone who isn't their aunt or their mom.”
In the process, Ruff assesses what resources the person might need and what they can do next.
“Then we can get to the practical next steps. Some people have already done the legwork and they need to
In addition to online databases available through ppld.org, business reference books are available at Penrose and East libraries, as well as Library 21c.
Ruff’s grandfather started a small business that her family still runs, so she understands the hard work and risk involved in such an endeavor.
“Everybody I've helped has a family that they're trying to provide for,” says Ruff. “I'm getting people closer to dreams that they have.”
DEB HAMILTON
Strategic Services Librarian | Law Library research.ppld.org/ lawandlegalresources
A decade ago, Deb Hamilton moved to Colorado Springs to work as a law librarian at PPLD. She had experience working for libraries, but she “took the law job with no law experience. I had the mindset of, ‘I don't know how to do this, but I'll figure it out.’”
And figure it out, she has. She’s published a book called Helping Library Users with Legal Questions and won multiple awards, including the Liberty Bell Award from the El Paso County Bar Association and the Public Access to Government Information Award from the American Association of Law Libraries.
But please don’t confuse her for a lawyer. “While I can't give legal advice, I can help people with legal research and finding legal information,” says Hamilton.
A chief source of that information is housed at Penrose Library, one of only four public law libraries in Colorado.
“The main part of my job is maintaining that collection, providing access to it, and helping patrons to use and find things in the collection,” says Hamilton. “Another component of my job consists of providing programming to the public in areas of law.”
These include estate planning classes and renters’ rights workshops. As Chair of the Fourth
Judicial District Access to Justice Committee, she also helps organize free law clinics.
There are many reasons why someone might come to the Library looking for legal resources, but the main one is probably financial.
“In criminal cases, you have a right to an attorney if you can't afford one,” says Hamilton. “But in civil cases, there is no such protection. If you're looking broadly at civil cases, at least fifty percent of cases have at least one party representing themselves. For domestic cases, that number goes up to like 75%. And for housing cases like evictions, you're looking at about 90% representing themselves.”
So often, people must figure it out themselves, and quickly.
“A lot of our law patrons are in a deadline-driven environment. It's very stressful,” explains Hamilton. “The law is not easy to understand. It's very complicated. So, people just sort of rule out that they could even learn how to do their own legal research. They don't feel like they have the time or maybe the mental capacity for it. But as someone that has taught themselves how to do it, I know there are ways.”
BRIDGET BRUCH
Strategic Services Librarian | Nonprofit Resources research.ppld.org/RHNRC
“I think nonprofits nurture humanity in our society and celebrate that, and that makes everyone's lives richer. It's just so critical,” says Bridget Bruch, who has
worked for PPLD since 2022 and in her current role since 2024.
“As a nonprofit librarian, my role is to help nonprofits and people who want to start a nonprofit in our community by providing resources and connections,” explains Bruch.
“Hands down, our most popular resource would be the research databases.” Those include databases like Candid, GuideStar, Foundation Directory, and the Colorado Grants Guide, as well as a collection of relevant books.
Many of these tools are found in the Robert Hilbert Nonprofit Resource Center, located in the historic Carnegie Library building at Penrose Library. The center is funded by a grant from the El Pomar Foundation.
“I have a small reference interview over the phone in advance of meeting with each person because maybe there's something I need to research first,” says Bruch. “I want them to really know that they're going to walk away from that meeting with something that they want. I’m trying to respect their time and be prepared for the meeting. So generally, when we meet in person, I'm giving them takeaways, and then I'll follow up with an email.”
Having worked for other nonprofits, Bruch knows the value they bring to communities.
“Because our society has individuals that want to make helpful changes and impacts, we're a much healthier, engaged, compassionate
By Abby Simpson
If the word “database” brings visions of academic research to your mind, you are not alone but you may be missing out. Your library card gives you access to a wide variety of databases where you can find your next great read, compare products, help your kids with their homework, and more. Explore the options on this page to learn about some of our databases and discover what else we have available at ppld.org/databases
I enjoyed PPLD’s recent All Pikes Peak Reads selection, Go As a River, and would like to read more books like it for the Winter Adult Reading Program
Provided by the Friends of PPLD, find read-alikes based on books you love. Take a quiz to receive customized recommendations for your next read and find bonus content to supplement your reading.
Do a read-alike search and fine-tune your search for your next read based on storyline and mood.
Visit the Library and access a wide array of collections by Ancestry.com. Fine-tune your searches with tips from the Learning Center.
I can visit a Library!
I want to learn more about my family history
Search a database of 1.4 billion names, access eBooks and digital archives, and have a quick 15-minute chat with a genealogy expert.
I can't visit a Library.
Kickstart your family history journey by searching over 10 collections. Their research aids will help you get started.
Search over 7,000 collections ranging from family tree databases to directories from around the world.
My kid is really into basketball and I know nothing about it
I have the education and skills I need to switch.
I want to switch careers
I need to learn specific skills first.
I want to make a Colorado-themed meal
Search this database designed with kids in mind for homework help and fun facts. Play educational games to help make learning fun!
I'm looking for the perfect pillow
Find resume help, interview tips, and career assessments. Spend time with a live interview or job coach.
Explore practice tests to help you achieve vocational certifications or higher education goals. Career advice and resume help are also available.
Find recipes from every state and from countries around the world.
I have no clue how to start investing.
I want to start investing my money
I’m not new to investing, but I need information.
Browse consumer driven content. Access buying guides, product ratings, item descriptions, and reviews. You can even submit your own product reviews.
Find self-paced tutorials on investing, or learn a new software or business skill.
Access accurate, up-to-date data on stocks and funds, along with industry and market data. Browse insights from independent analysts or attend webinars on marketing and investing.
PPLD DIGITAL COLLECTIONS: A Window to the Past
By Carla Bamesberger
The Pikes Peak region is a beautiful area with a vibrant history. You can find its history everywhere, from location names and historic buildings to photo books and local museums. Its history can also be found in the PPLD Digital Collections, where historical documents, photographs, audio clips, city directories, newspaper articles, ledgers, illustrations, and other records tell the region’s story. Whether you are taking a casual look or finding sources for a history or genealogy project, there is a lot to discover at digitalcollections.ppld.org. Here are some photos from the collection:
General "Chappie" James and his wife Dottie stand next to his CINC NORAD Convair F-106B "Delta Dart" interceptor at Peterson Air Force Base when he served as Commander-in-Chief of the North American Air Defense Command and Commander of the Air Defense Command from Sept. 1975 to Dec. 1977. General James was the first African American to be promoted to four-star General in the U.S. military. Photographer: Sun staff, 1976.
John Garrett (left) and another man dressed in heavy winter coats and boots stand adjacent to a railing holding rockets and fireworks shells at the summit of Pikes Peak on New Year’s Eve 1934 or 1935. The AdAmAn Club still shoots off fireworks on Pikes Peak each New Year’s Eve. Photographer: Harry L. Sandley, 1935.
The Colorado Springs Facts periodical reported that thousands of grasshoppers descended on Colorado on July 21, 1898, and covered the streets and sidewalks several inches deep in places. They were supposedly blown in from the mountains by a strong northwest wind. Photographer: Unknown, 1898.
Three Catholic nuns wearing Sisters of St. Francis habits stand in front of the visitor building at the Cave of the Winds. The two automobiles parked in the background have what appear to be 1925 Colorado license plates. Photographer: Unknown, 1925.
Individuals pose in front of tuberculosis tents at the Nordrach Ranch Sanatorium, Identified from left to right: Gertrude Shellmann (who worked at the Sanitorium) and Mr. Cox. Photographer: Unknown, 1901 – 1907.
A group of Ute Indians in Garden of the Gods wearing traditional regalia, including headdresses, beaded leggings, and moccasins. This group visited Colorado Springs to participate in the 1913 Shan Kive. Photographer: Stewarts Commercial Photographers, 1913.
This 1884 print, entitled “Eminent Women,” was taken in Boston, and includes Helen Hunt of Pikes Peak region history among its subjects. The other women include Mary A. Livermore, Sara Jewett, Grace A. Oliver, Nora Perry, Lucy Larcom, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, Louise Chandler Moulton, Louisa M. Alcott, Julia Ward Howe, and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Photographer: Unknown, 1884.
WHEN EAST LIBRARY WAS EAST
EXHIBIT EXAMINES DEVELOPMENT OF COLORADO SPRINGS
Brothers Ben and Orrie Stewart moved to Colorado from Kansas as children, eventually studying chemistry at Colorado College. Upon graduation, they stayed in the area and opened a business together, Stewart Brothers Commercial Photography. After opening their first store in Manitou Springs in 1906, they moved to a larger store at 17 N. Tejon St. in downtown Colorado Springs in 1912.
Over the following decades, the business captured a visual record of everyday life in the Pikes Peak region. They also began taking photos of the area from the bird’s-eye view of an airplane.
The photographs eventually found their way into PPLD’s historic photos archive, and the Library recently received a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to digitize the collection.
Four aerial photos from the collection, one from each decade from the 1950s to 1980s, anchor an exhibit called When East Was East that will be on display at East Library beginning Sat., Feb. 1.
“The photos tell a story of the development of the city,” says Jarrell. “You can see in these photographs that Academy Boulevard was straddling the east side of the city. It was dirt at the northern end. And then once
THE PHOTOS TELL A STORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY
“They took aerial photographs of the city every year,” says John Jarrell, program coordinator for Pikes Peak Library District’s (PPLD) Regional History & Genealogy department. “They were meant to give people, especially developers, a view of what was going on in the city. It's one thing to drive around, another thing to look at a map, but back then, it wasn't easy to look at it from above.”
things grew past it, it became the middle of the city.”
In other words, what was once the eastern edge of town became the city’s center. East was no longer east.
The exhibit at East Library will also have a companion virtual exhibit on Recollect, PPLD’s new digital collections platform.
“The online component of this will have photographs, oral histories, and
By Jeremiah Walter
news articles about our local history, including water rights,” says Jarrell, the lead organizer of the exhibit. “It also looks at PPLD's history of providing service to the eastern part of the city.”
In 1983, voters approved a bond measure that enabled PPLD to better serve an area that was growing rapidly but lacked ample library services. This is the most recent time the Library District secured more funding through a ballot initiative.
As a result, in 1987, the East Library and Information Center (now just called East Library) opened on North Union Boulevard, and Ruth Holley Library opened at the Murray Plaza Shopping Center.
Just as the Library has attempted to keep up with the city’s growth over the years, it has also endeavored to keep pace with modern technologies. Recollect is an excellent example of this.
“We are now integrating several of our resources into this one system,” explains Jarrell. “So, if people want to search for a neighborhood, for example, they now can look at the aerial photographs, newspaper articles, and other resources all in one search.”
If the geographic focus of When East Was East doesn’t capture someone’s fancy, they can explore other areas in Recollect. “It can be used for someone that wants to research their
own neighborhood or their own homes. For people that are just interested in the city's history, development, sprawl, city planning... anything like that, they will have a resource now where they can do their research.”
ABOUT THE EXHIBIT
This multimedia exhibition, which launches Sat., Feb. 1, examines the development of eastern Colorado Springs from the 1950s to the 1980s. The project builds on the grant-funded digitization of the Photography Collection, which showcases the city's growth over several decades.
The Library’s digital collection will continue expanding, and the community can contribute.
“Recollect has an option for patrons to upload their own materials, and they can tag items to correspond
to what we have there already,” says Jarrell. “So that allows for direct involvement from the public.”
Nobody knows for sure what the future will hold, but as the residents of the Pikes Peak region make his-
PHYSICAL EXHIBIT
The exhibition's centerpiece is a wall installation featuring four aerial photographs that highlight the area’s transformation, from the postwar expansion around Palmer Park to the significant growth in the 1960s and 1970s. Located at East Library.
tory, their voices will help shape how that history is documented. And PPLD will be there to preserve that history.
Sat., Feb. 1 | 11:30 a.m. East Library Community Room COMINGSOON!
ONLINE EXHIBIT
This virtual exhibit provides access to maps, photographs, news stories, videos, and oral history interviews, offering a deeper look at the city’s eastward expansion and Pikes Peak Library District’s efforts to meet the needs of the rapidly growing community.
PPLD.ORG/WEWE
When East Was East Exhibit Unveiling!
Don’t miss the unveiling of this historical exhibit featuring aerial photographs chronicling the development of northeastern Colorado Springs from when East Library was built. See the striking contrast from a time when East
Library stood at the city's eastern edge — a position that has since shifted. At the event, you will also experience an interactive presentation that delves deeper into the exhibit’s stories and introduces Regional History & Genealogy’s new
Digital Collections platform, which provides enhanced access to these and many other materials. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with the region’s history and see how Pikes Peak Library District is preserving our evolving community.
GROUNDBREAKING Literary Women
By Jeanne Davant
Do you know what novel is the first known novel written by a woman?
That would be The Tale of Genji, a lengthy story that describes court life in Japan during the Heian period (the 11th century), written by a noblewoman named Murasaki Shikibu. Not only is this the first novel written by a woman, but it is believed to be the first novel ever written.
Women continue to contribute significant works to the literary landscape worldwide today. In Oct. 2024, South Korean author Han Kang became the first South Korean writer to be awarded the Nobel Prize in literature. Kang is the 121st author — and the 18th woman — to win the prize.
Though they lived centuries apart, both authors have written compelling works that speak to a wide range of readers within and outside their own milieus. Both address universal themes such as family, strife, gender roles, love, injustice, and grief.
These two women bracket the many women authors who have contributed significantly to the world’s literary heritage — often succeeding despite cultural restraints.
In celebration of Pikes Peak Library District’s Winter Adult Reading Program, here are the stories of a few groundbreaking women authors.
In ancient Japan, noblewomen like Murasaki Shikibu wrote poetry and fiction; they used a graceful, fluid form of calligraphy called kana script, which means “woman’s hand.” Although literacy was not widespread in 11th century Japan, The Tale of Genji, which follows the life and loves of “the Shining Prince,” became quite popular and was considered an artistic achievement. Its length distinguishes it — it filled six volumes — as do its detailed
depictions of court life and sense of place. According to the Center for Fiction, it offers “some of the closest observations historians have to this day of court life during this era.”
Little is known about Murasaki Shikibu today, but it is thought that she was a lady-in-waiting who had a daughter with her husband. Only two years after their marriage, he died. She shut herself away, studied Buddhism, raised her daughter, and wrote the world’s first novel. It’s still available in several translations.
Another literary first, Eliza Linton prevailed as the first English woman to earn a living as a fulltime journalist. She was born into a conservative rural English family in 1822. Seeking to escape her upbringing by her strict father, the feisty young woman moved to London at age 23 to pursue a writing career after the publication of her first two poems. She wrote two well-received novels that did not stand the test of time.
In 1848, Linton was hired as a writer for The Morning Chronicle, becoming the first woman to be paid a salary as a journalist. She continued to focus on journalism after her third novel, Realities, shocked readers and critics with its radical critique of Victorian society in 1851. She wrote several more novels, which often espoused controversial points of view. The True History of Joshua Davidson, Christian and Communist (1872), a criticism of the Church of England, became her best seller. She is best known, however, for her articles in Charles Dickens’ Household Words and the Saturday Review, weekly publications that were widely read at the time.
In a time when financial opportunities for women were limited, Aphra Behn became the first English woman to earn a living entirely from writing. Outside of a shoutout to her name and career in Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own, she was largely unknown until recently.
“Aphra Behn proved that money could be made by writing at the sacrifice, perhaps, of certain agreeable qualities;” Woolf writes, “and so by degrees writing became not merely a sign of folly and a distracted mind, but was of practical importance.”
Forced to support herself after the death of her husband, Behn began by writing plays. Her first, The Forc’d Marriage, came into being in 1670. The commercially successful comedies she wrote over the next decade included The Rover, staged in two parts in 1677 and 1681.
Her best-known work is her novel Oroonoko, published in 1688. It tells the story of an enslaved African prince.
Edith Wharton, the acclaimed author of The Age of Innocence and Ethan Frome followed in their footsteps. Born into a wealthy New York family in 1862, a time when women were expected to achieve little beyond making a proper marriage and having children, she wrote her first book in 1897. The Decoration of Houses was a nonfiction work on design and architecture inspired by her privileged upbringing. Her subsequent works — she wrote 40 books in 40 years — sometimes depicted the darker sides of American upper-class life and the Golden Age.
Wharton was the first woman to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize, which she won in 1921 for The Age of Innocence
The 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature winner, Han Kang, is a strikingly original and visionary writer, artist, and musician who hails from a literary and artistic background. Her work has encompassed poetry and short stories as well as novels. Among her early works is Your Cold Hands, a novel in the form of a manuscript left behind by a missing sculptor who made plaster casts of female bodies. She won international recognition with her novel The Vegetarian, originally published in 2007, which depicts the repercussions of its female protagonist’s decision to stop consuming meat.
“Han Kang confronts historical traumas and invisible sets of rules, and in each of her works, exposes the fragility of human life,” writes Anders Olsson, chair of the Nobel Committee.
With all of this writer talk, you might be planning your reading list for this year’s Winter Adult Reading Program, which begins on Sat., Feb. 1. During this annual program, participants can earn prizes by completing 30 days of reading and activities between Feb. 1 and March 31. Those who finish the program receive the coveted limited-edition Winter Adult Reading Program mug (while supplies last) and an entry into the grand prize drawing.
To register, stop by your favorite Library location or visit ppld.org/winter-reading
Track Your Progress!
Fill in a foot below for each day you complete an activity or 30-minute reading session.
About
In this annual program, participants can attend PPLD programs and/or read to earn prizes from Feb. 1 - March 31! For ages 18+.
How to Play
Log 30 days of attending programs or reading 30 minutes a day to receive the annual Collector’s mug and an entry into the grand prize drawing
Grand Prize Drawing
Earn up to five additional grand prize drawing entries for every additional five days of reading or activities. *PPLD employees are not eligible for the grand prize.
Ready for More?
Earn up to five additional grand prize drawing entries for every additional five days of reading or activities.
Count & Seek
How many of each picture are there?
Did You SNOW That?
Can you match the fact with the ski resort? HINT: Not all resorts will be used.
VAIL
SNOWMASS
CRESTED BUTTE
COPPER MOUNTAIN
WINTER PARK
BRECKENRIDGE
STEAMBOAT
LOVELAND
KEYSTONE
ASPEN
Sasquatch Hidden Object
Coloring Page
Can you find the banana, tennis racket, fork, binnoculars, leaf, pencil, and candy corn while you're coloring?
Community Connection
What is YOUR winter reading goal? Scan the QR and cast your vote!
Checking in at 5,371 acres, this resort is Colorado's largest.
This resort holds the record for the highest six-person high-speed chairlift in North America.
Miners came to this ski area in the mid-1800s looking for gold, but found something else instead!
Why not visit a troll after visiting this ski resort?
This resort was originally named, "Ski Town" in a 1947 Associated Press headline.
Snowballing
Players take turns to claim the numbers to make an addition equation by filling in one circle from each snowball on a turn. e.g. a player could fill in 3, 8, and 11 for 3+8=11. Once a circle is filled in, it stays filled. The winner is the last person who can make an equation.
Art for Older Adults
This program inspires a sense of self-reliance for older adults, even when the participant is somewhat dependent on a partner to help with materials use. Each month seniors can produce high-quality art projects that respect their wealth of life experiences, skills, and innate capacity to create. All supplies will be provided. Registration required.
PPAAA Retirement Series
Retirement can be as stressful as it can be fun! Join Pikes Peak Library District and Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging (PPAAA) for this Retirement Series that will provide information, resources, and fellowship to explore the many ways retirement can be challenging and enjoyable.
Senior Chats
Staying social can become harder as we get older, but it is not impossible. Join us at Senior Chats! This informal gathering for seniors offers information sharing, networking, and discussions so you can make new friends, enjoy your leisure time, and feel connected to the community.
Senior Lunch and a Movie
Join us and other patrons as we enjoy a monthly movie matinee. Registration encouraged but not required.
Winter Movie Marathon
Sat., Jan. 4 | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Fountain Library
Join us for an all-ages winter movie marathon.
Jigsaw Puzzle Swap
Give a Puzzle, get a new-to-you puzzle in exchange at the Jigsaw Puzzle Swap. We will only accept gently used puzzles.
Book Group
Book groups are open to everyone, and they are a great opportunity to discover new genres and titles, meet new people, have a good conversation, and get to know more about Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD). All PPLD book groups are facilitated by Library staff.
Craft Group
Bring a craft to work on while socializing with other crafters! Craft groups are open to everyone ages 18 and up and are a great opportunity to learn about new crafts, have a good conversation, and learn about Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD). No registration required. All PPLD craft groups are facilitated by Library staff.
Library Explorers
Library Explorers gives adults with differing physical and developmental abilities the opportunity to enjoy accessible Library programs that fit their abilities and individual needs. Join us for monthly programs at Library 21c!
PROGRAMS
Drop-In Art
WINTER ADULT READING PROGRAM
Begins Sat., Feb. 1
Log 30 days of activities from Sat., Feb. 1 - Mon., March 31 to earn prizes! Log a combination of reading for 30 or more minutes per day or by attending Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) programs. To register, sign up in Beanstack or stop by the Library to register in-person (curbside services available). When you register inperson or at curbside, you will receive a Winter Adult Reading Program tote bag (while supplies last).
Got an artistic itch to scratch but not a lot of time? Join us for a 90-minute drop-in painting program. We provide the canvases, acrylic paint, and brushes. You bring the inspiration.
Library Scented Candles
Celebrate the Winter Adult Reading Program by bringing the cozy smell of books, libraries, and winter reading home with you! All supplies will be provided for you to make your own scented candle.
Thrift Store Paintings
Join us to create a new-to-you masterpiece using thrift store paintings and acrylics. All supplies will be provided, but you are welcome to bring a painting from home to use.
Tea Blend Workshop
Join us to learn about and experiment with different tea leaves and ingredients to create personalized tea blends. Take your custom tea blend home and enjoy.
Paper Marbling
Using shaving cream and a few other supplies, we will create one-of-a-kind notecards, greeting cards, and stationery. All supplies will be provided.
Device Drop-In Help
Need help with your laptop, smartphone, or tablet? Stop by our Device Drop-In Hours and our staff can assist you. No registration required. Please bring your power cords and devices. We cannot help with installing software, removing viruses, or setting up computers.
Fiber Arts Group
Interested in stitching, knitting, crocheting, and other fiber arts? Bring your stitching, knitting, crocheting, or other fiber project and socialize with other crafters. Fiber Arts groups are open to everyone ages 18 and up and are a great opportunity to learn about new crafts, have a good conversation, and get to know more about Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD). No registration required. All PPLD fiber arts groups are facilitated by Library staff.
Vinyl Record Art
Create a masterpiece on a vinyl record. We will provide inspiration for celebrations and other fun and unique ideas. Registration is required.
Virtual Prenatal Series
Are you expecting and have so many questions? Join Pikes Peak Library District and Nurse-Family Partnership for a series of prenatal classes. Virtual classes are every Wednesday at noon. Each week we will explore a different topic followed by a Q&A session.
STEAMBOAT
This resort was originally named, "Ski Town" in a 1947 Associated Press headline.
BRECKENRIDGE
Why not visit a troll after visiting this ski resort?
COPPER MOUNTAIN
WINTER PARK Miners came to this ski area in the mid-1800's looking for gold, but found something else instead!
This resort holds the record for the highest six-person high-speed chairlift in North America.
VAIL
Checking in at 5,371 acres, this resort is Colorado's largest.
LIBRARY CARD DESIGN CONTEST
Celebrate National Library Week, April 6 - 12, with the launch of up to four new library cards – designed by YOU. Enter your original artwork inspired by the Library, the Pikes Peak region, or the community to our Library Card Design Contest.
THU.,
ACCEPTING ENTRIES
JAN. 2 - FRI., JAN. 31
YOUR DESIGN HERE
ELIGIBILITY
Open to all ages; participants must live within PPLD’s service area (all of El Paso County except for Security-Widefield).
SUBMISSION FORMAT
All art forms are welcome, from digital art and photography to traditional media (paint, pastels, mixed media, sketches, etc.). All submissions should fit within the dimensions 3.375"W x 2.125"H and be EPS, JPEG, TIFF, or PDF file format.
PRIZES
Winning entries will be featured on a new PPLD library card beginning in April 2025. Winners will also receive prizes.
For full details and to submit your art, visit
Mini Masterpieces:
Perler Bead Recreations
Ever want to recreate a Da Vinci? Or try your hand at a Van Gogh? Maybe you’re more of a Mondrian fan. Create pieces for your own mini art museum using Perler beads to recreate famous paintings in miniature. Ages 12 - 18.
Embroider a 3D Printed Charm
Use a mini 3D printed embroidery frame to create a colorful pendant you can use as a necklace, keychain, or other charm. For ages 16 - 24. The 3D printed frame and all other supplies will be provided, and no experience is necessary.
Escape Room: Travel to the 80s
Solve puzzles and open locks to win a prize in this escape room! Welcome back to 1986. Here you will find cutting-edge technology from the 1980s which you will need to use along with your knowledge of all that was ‘rad’ (80s slang for radical) in the 80s to get yourself back to the present day. You only have 45 minutes before you are stuck in the past forever!
Middle Earth Trivia
Are you a Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit superfan? Test your knowledge in this game of trivia!
Teen Advisory Board
Learn leadership skills, earn volunteer hours, and give your input on what happens at the Library! You will earn volunteer hours by attending meetings, working on projects for the Library, and engaging in leadership development opportunities. Regular attendance is recommended. You must fill out a volunteer application to participate.
Teen Dungeons & Dragons
Join your fellow teens on an adventure in the world's greatest roleplaying game, Dungeons & Dragons! New players and experienced adventurers alike are welcome to participate. Ages 12 - 18. Registration required.
Math Tutoring
Is math homework getting you down? Are finals freaking you out? Do you need to brush up before the ACT, SAT, or a high school equivalency test? Our experienced math tutors can help you improve your grades and take the stress out of math. Tutoring is for all ages, all levels.
No appointments necessary - drop in! In the case of holidays or Library weather closures, tutoring will be canceled.
Teen Games
Come hang out and show off your gaming skills. Bring your friends and be ready to have fun!
Teen Anime Club
Love Anime? Come hang out with other teens who share your passion! Some anime shown may be rated PG-13 or TV-14. Cosplay is welcome! Ages 12 - 18.
Swiftie Friendship Bracelets
Are you ready for it? Calling all Taylor Swift fans! Drop everything now and make your very own personalized bracelets to wear and trade with fellow Swifties. We’ll provide all the materials you need, including a variety of beads and letters to choose from. Whether you’re on your own kid, or taking the whole squad, this is a great way to show off your Swiftie spirit. So, make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it!
TWEEN
Tween Library Squad
Have a voice in your community, meet new friends, and make a difference - all while having fun! We want to learn from the experts (you!) what programs and events tweens want to see at the Library. Each meeting will include time for you to give ideas or feedback, as well as time for a fun project or activity. Formerly known as Junior Advisory Board.
Tween: Minute to Win It
Are you a cup-stacking wizard? Can you tackle a minefield while blindfolded? Join us for a night of fun as we take on Minute to Win It style challenges. Ages 9 - 12.
Tween: Wings of Fire Fest
Calling all Wings of Fire fans! Stop by the Library to make your very
HOMESCHOOL
Homeschool Science: The Magic of Science All Around Us
Fri., Jan. 17 | 1 - 2 p.m. East Library
Science is amazing. Join Stacey Lazzelle from the United States Air Force Academy’s Department of Research to explore some of the fascinating science concepts that affect our everyday lives. Learn why magic is science we do not understand...yet! Witness fantastic demonstrations in physics, biology, chemistry, and math that will educate and entertain. For ages 6 - 12. No
Homeschool Science Fair
Fri., Feb. 21 | 10 - 11:30 a.m. Library 21c
Homeschool students grades K - 12 are invited to demonstrate a science project for other families. There are no rules or guidelines for this noncompetitive event, and planning is left up to individual families. Registration required. Registration opens on Thu., Jan. 2 and closes on Fri., Feb. 14. Students will arrive by 9:15 a.m., and the event will be open to the public from 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Interested in seeing some amazing experiments from up-and-coming scientists? Stop by to browse and chat with project creators. Kids can fill out a "What I Learned" form and receive
FAMILY & CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
Homeschool Game Day
Fri., March 7 | 1 - 2:30 p.m. Library 21c
Homeschool families are invited to an indoor game day! Activities will vary. Come prepared to play! All ages are welcome!
Homeschool Art Show
It’s time to get creative! Submit your art between Mon., March 17 - Thu., March 27. Homeschoolers grades K12 can submit one artwork (drawing, painting, sculpture, needlework, etc.) for this non-juried exhibit. Artwork will be dropped off and displayed at the East Library Children’s area throughout the month of April. Learn more at ppld.org/Homeschool-ArtShow. Contact jfleishhacker@ppld. org with any questions.
Homeschool Science: Hydraulic Rockets
Fri., March 21
11 a.m. - noon and 1 - 2 p.m. East Library
Learn about hydraulic rockets with educators from the Space Foundation Discovery Center. Use the force of air pressure to launch your own rocket high in the air! Design your rocket nose cone, body, and fins for maximum flight. For ages 6 - 12. Registration required.
MAKE-A-MASTERPIECE
Homeschool Resource Fair
Fri., April 11 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Library 21c
Are you a homeschool family or interested in getting started in homeschooling? Our annual Homeschool Resource Fair features a wide variety of local exhibitors offering educational and extracurricular opportunities for homeschooling families. Stop by and chat with representatives from organizations and businesses that offer homeschooling services and support, including arts and science activities, sports groups, enrichment programs, tutoring, support groups, and more. There will be fun handson activities for kids in the atrium!
Make-a-Masterpiece: Lights! Camera! Action Figures!
Fri., Jan. 10 and Thu., Jan. 23
Design a graffiti-inspired masterpiece featuring the bold and boisterous action figures of graphic artist Keith Haring. Your creation will focus on line, color, and movement in this playful comic-style art. Ages 8 - 13. Registration required.
Make-a-Masterpiece: Art in a Bottle
Fri., Feb. 7 and Thu., Feb. 20
Explore the still life art of Giorgio Morandi to discover how experimenting with the lightness and darkness of a color can produce a striking masterpiece with bottles.
And like Morandi, you may one day have a painting in the White House collection! Ages 8 - 13. Registration required.
Homeschool Science: The Science of Safety
Fri., April 18 | 11 a.m. - noon and 1 - 2 p.m. | East Library
Join the experts from Colorado Springs Utilities, who will use hands-on experiments and activities to illustrate how the safe use of electricity and natural gas can affect all aspects of our daily lives. Hear about forms and sources of energy, electrical circuits, injury prevention, the origins of natural gas and how it is used in our homes today, and natural gas safety. For ages 6 - 12. No registration required.
Make-a-Masterpiece:
In the Jungle
Thu., March 6 and Fri., March 14
Henri Rousseau, Parisian painter of imaginative jungle scenes, will inspire your vision for this wild masterpiece. Design a unique crested dinosaur, then apply camouflaging jungle foliage through the printmaking process. Ages 8 - 13. Registration required.
Make-a-Masterpiece:
Paint like an Impressionist!
Fri., April 4 and Thu., April 24
Observe, imagine, and create a painterly “plein air” masterpiece, inspired by French Impressionist Claude Monet. Using short brushstrokes and layers of paint, your artwork will come alive with color, movement, and texture. Ages 8 - 13. Registration required.
IDEA LAB
Idea Lab: LEGO Build
Engineer your best LEGO creation, complete LEGO challenges, produce LEGO Art, and explore endless creative possibilities at this openended LEGO program using PPLD’s LEGO resources. Join us for the fun! For ages 5 - 12.
Idea Lab: Exploring Constellations
Explore constellations with activities such as making a star projector, creating a “magic” toothpick star, constructing toothpick constellations, and playing constellation games. Ages 5 – 12.
Idea Lab: The Big Dig - Learning about Archaeology
Do you like puzzles and figuring out stories from clues? Do you like digging in dirt and finding things that were lost? Explore these aspects of archaeology in this interactive program! Ages 5 – 12.
Idea Lab: Self Portraits
Tue., Feb. 18 | 4 - 5 p.m.
Old Colorado City Library
Combine recycled hardware and a wooden plaque to create a unique self-portrait! Ages 5 – 12. Registration required.
Idea Lab: Colorful Bird Art
Unleash your imagination to create large-scale birds with a Mexican flair! Ages 5 – 12.
Jean Ciavonne Poetry Contest Award Ceremony
Sat., April 19 | 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Penrose Library
Celebrate the winners of the 2025 Jean Ciavonne Poetry Contest. Enjoy a light reception following the ceremony.
Spring Break Performers
Check out our special Spring Break Performers March 24 - 29 at various PPLD locations. There will be singing, science, and animals! Visit ppld.org/ springbreak or scan the QR code for more details!
Sensory Storytime
Join us for an interactive storytime designed to include children with learning and sensory differences. It is ideal for children ages 3 – 12 and their parents or caregivers. All abilities are welcome. Registration required.
Calhan Library
600 Bank St., Calhan, CO 80808 (719) 531-6333, x7013
Cheyenne Mountain Library
1785 S. 8th St. #100, Colo. Spgs., CO 80905 (719) 531-6333, x7001
East Library
5550 N. Union Blvd., Colo. Spgs., CO 80918 (719) 531-6333, x7014
Fountain Library
230 S. Main St., Fountain, CO 80817 (719) 531-6333, x7002
High Prairie Library
7035 Old Meridian Rd., Peyton, CO 80831 (719) 531-6333, x7003
Library 21c
1175 Chapel Hills Dr., Colo. Spgs., CO 80920 (719) 531-6333, x7012
Manitou Springs Library
707 Manitou Ave., Manitou Spgs., CO 80829 (719) 531-6333, x7004
Mobile Library Services (719) 531-6333, x7702
District Discovery
Winter 2025 | Volume 7 | Issue 1
Executive Editor Denise M. Abbott
Managing Editor Carla Bamesberger
Proofing/Editing Jeremiah Walter, Jennifer Flatland, Adoree Deltoro-Garcia, Kim Melchor, and Abby Simpson
Graphic Designer Rachel Quinn
Photography Drew Cerino
Pikes Peak Library District Board of Trustees
President Dora Gonzales
Vice President Scott Taylor
Secretary/Treasurer Erin Bents
Angela Dougan
Debbie English
Aaron Salt
Julie Smyth
Monument Library
1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr., Monument, CO 80132 (719) 531-6333, x7005
Old Colorado City Library
2418 W. Pikes Peak Ave., Colo. Spgs., CO 80904 (719) 531-6333, x7006
Palmer Lake Library 66 Lower Glenway St., Palmer Lake, CO 80133 (719) 531-6333, x7007
Penrose Library
20 N. Cascade Ave., Colo. Spgs., CO 80903 (719) 531-6333, x7015
Ruth Holley Library
685 N. Murray Blvd., Colo. Spgs., CO 80915 (719) 531-6333, x7009
Sand Creek Library
1821 S. Academy Blvd., Colo. Spgs., CO 80916 (719) 531-6333, x7018
Ute Pass Library
8010 Severy Rd., Cascade, CO 80809 (719) 531-6333, x7011
Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) seeks to engage and transform people’s lives by providing equitable access to information, enrichment opportunities, and community connections via 14 facilities, online resources, and mobile library services. It is a nationally recognized system of public libraries serving a population of more than 700,000 across 2,070 square miles in El Paso County, Colo.
