Celebrating 35 Years of Service to You

Celebrating 35 Years of Service

to You PPLD's EAST LIBRARY

By Jeremiah Walter

When Colorado Springs voters approved a $9.9 million bond measure in 1983, it enabled Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) to begin plans for a library in a part of town that was growing rapidly but lacked ample Library services. “About 40% of the people who use the library system live east of Circle Drive,” PPLD’s Carol Bruce Shannon said at the time, with only a small library in Rustic Hills Plaza to serve a burgeoning population.

A 10-acre site near Vickers Drive and Union Boulevard was purchased in 1984 from School District 11 for $600,000.

At a ceremony held on Aug. 27, 1985, ground was broken by a group that included community members aged 2 to 77 and a robot with a plastic shovel programmed to help with the digging.

Robert Muir and Associates designed a three-story, 64,000-square-feet building, and Hubcon Corp was the main contractor on the building’s construction.

“The new Library facility represents a building that is designed for the future, housing state-of-the-art computer equipment to enhance public access to information in a comforting, visual environment,” said Muir.

On Oct. 20, 1986, a cornerstone dedication was performed by the Grand Masons of Colorado, and a time capsule was put in the cornerstone.

The East Library and Information Center (now just called East Library) had its grand opening on Jan. 10, 1987, and the day’s activities included a presentation by writer and historian David McCullough, who has since won two Pulitzer Prizes.

The facility included a computer lab, large community meeting room, video studio, art exhibit foyer, and a branch office for the El Paso County Department of Motor Vehicles.

The land to the west of the library became George Fellows Park, named after a former city manager, and is maintained by the Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Department.

Overlooking the park, and with a spectacular view of Pikes Peak, is a glassed-in circular reading terrace.

Residents in the area were excited with the new addition, with one East Library neighbor noting, “There are very few recreational and pleasure facilities in this part of town, so it is a welcome addition to the community.”

The Educational Resource Center at East Library provides hands-on materials such as math, science, social studies, and language arts kits, as well as art and music resources and computer software for families with students of all ages.

ppld.org/erc

MAKE at EAST

Make at East gives PPLD patrons access to many types of creative equipment, including 3D printers, laser engravers, sewing machines, vinyl and die cutters, a button maker, and more.

ppld.org/create/make-east

“During the first three days, we had about 12,000 people in here,” said Nancy DeLury, PPLD’s Public Information Officer at the time.

In September 2007, the East Teen Center opened in the space formerly occupied by the Motor Vehicles branch. It offered a dedicated area in the library for teenagers to do homework, use computers, and even play video games.

East Library underwent significant renovations in 2015, providing additional public space on the top level of the building after PPLD administrative staff vacated the location for Library 21c. The top floors now give Library patrons access to a larger computer lab, additional meeting spaces, a makerspace, and the Educational Resource Center.

In 2022, East Library remains popular, receiving the highest annual foot traffic of all Library locations across PPLD's sprawling service area.

“East Library is a destination library for a substantial portion of El Paso County, whether they live nearby or not,” explains PPLD Director of the Southeast Region Abby Simpson. “It is the closest library for many students in School Districts 11 and 20.

Also, I have noticed that we serve a lot of patrons who have been living in the area a long time. Some patrons who visited as kids themselves are proud to tell us they are now bringing in their kids.”

The location is responsible for about one-quarter of PPLD’s circulation, and its meeting and study rooms are very popular, as well as faxing and printing services.

“We are used by patrons of all ages and needs. We get the toddlers who bring their parents to Storytime, as well as the senior citizens who stop by almost every day just to say hi,” says East Library Supervisor Terry Ford.

“We also have plenty of space for people to just be,” adds Simpson. “You can come in and enjoy a book, take in our great views from the new furniture on the veranda, or enjoy the cyber world with our free WiFi.”

And perhaps most important of all is the first-rate service provided by PPLD staff.

“They are an energetic and passionate staff and provide the best service with a big smile,” says East Library Circulation Supervisor Marion Roberts. “They are the best magicians in the whole wide world.”