District Discovery: Covid Edition

NOT OUR FIRST RODEO

A LOOK BACK ON PREVIOUS PANDEMICS IN THE PIKES PEAK REGION (PG. 14)

SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITY LIBRARY STAFF JUMP IN TO PIVOT SERVICES (PG. 2)

AND SUPPORT HEALTHCARE WORKERS (PG. 4)

USE US FROM HOME

MAKE SOCIAL DISTANCING FUN WITH LIBRARYPROVIDED ENTERTAINMENT! (PG. 8 - 9)

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Table of Contents 4-5

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CONNECTING WITH THE COMMUNITY DURING COVID-19 From 3D printing to installing outdoor water stations, PPLD steps up to help out LIBRARY USED MORE THAN 3.8 MILLION TIMES

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VIRTUAL SERVICES & PROGRAMS Track holds, view account information, and more COVID HEROES Celebrating members of the PPLD community

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A WORD FROM OUR PATRONS Words from our patrons about their experiences with PPLD during the COVID-19 pandemic NOT THIS CITY’S FIRST RODEO Colorado Springs’ COVID-19 response looks much like that of the Spanish Flu in 1918

LIBRARIANS COMPILE TRUSTED RESOURCES FOR NAVIGATING THE PANDEMIC Resources and information helped community understand options

Library pivots services to overcome pandemic-related restrictions Use of Library resources skyrocketed even as doors remained closed

the inception of the Library District.

and uploaded so patrons could interact with each other from

But, behind the scenes, Library staff worked quickly to pivot services

home. PPLD created a brand new virtual library calendar to make

online to ensure residents in the Pikes Peak region could access

the programs easy to access. Vast lists of education resources,

entertainment, educational tools, and other resources to stay engaged

entertainment, and virtual tours from nationwide organizations were

at home.

compiled.

During the initial week of Colorado’s stay-at-home order, PPLD

Then, in May, PPLD received the go-ahead to begin curbside service.

extended the length of online library card signups from 10 to 90 days.

The brand-new service model made it easy for patrons to return

We also renewed all library cards that expired in the last two years, so

materials and safely pick up the items they placed on hold, without

those patrons could access digital resources from home.

having any direct contact with library staff or other patrons.

Digital library resources like movies, music, magazines, audiobooks,

Though we provided this service with only half our usual employees

eBooks, and more were checked out and used regularly during

on site per the safer-at-home order, curbside service was heavily used.

the two months our physical materials were inaccessible. In fact,

Nearly 4,000 patrons checked out nearly 14,000 items in the first five

PPLD patrons surpassed one million checkouts on eBook platform

days alone.

OverDrive an entire month earlier than they did in 2019. In the span

The pandemic taught PPLD, like many other organizations, that

of just a few weeks, nearly 1,500 people signed up for a library card

services can be provided in new and innovative ways. PPLD staff

online. Patrons read more than 140,000 eBooks, listened to over

will continue to evaluate how we provide services and resources

75,500 audiobooks, streamed more than 20,000 songs, and watched

to ensure they’re as accessible as possible, regardless of what new

over 10,500 movies. Additionally, our librarians answered more than

circumstances may come our way.

Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures.

keeping visits outside the home as short as possible.

400 community questions by telephone and live chat.

As the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic unfurled, streets

Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD), alongside many area

Library staff also worked tirelessly to create new virtual programs

were empty and the community felt quiet. Even as time passed,

organizations, closed physical locations in light of the pandemic. It

and collections of free online resources from other organizations.

we saw more activity, but people still hurried from stop to stop,

is the longest amount of time PPLD’s doors remained closed since

Offerings like virtual Storytime for children to online book clubs and movie discussions for adults were quickly filmed or scheduled

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Connecting with the community during COVID-19

From 3D printing to installing outdoor water stations, PPLD steps up to help out

When Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) contacted Colorado Springs resident Dorian Ferrai about joining the effort to make 3D-printed personal protective equipment (PPE) for health

“I knew they were having troubles getting PPE parts,” he says, “so for me, it was kind of a family thing.”

care professionals at the beginning of COVID-19, saying yes was simple. Ferrai’s mother was a nurse, as are other members of his family. “I knew they were having troubles getting PPE parts,” he says, “so for me, it was kind of a family thing.”

PPLD found Ferrai, owner of Catz Design Farm, a company that uses 3D modeling for product development, through Make4Covid,

a Denver-based coalition of volunteer makers responding to Colorado’s equipment shortage for frontline personnel. The Library District was looking for people who already had experience with the printers that were sitting unused at Library 21c’s Makerspace, in the hopes that some locals might “foster them while the library was closed,” says Ferrai.

“It was an easy way for me to give back to the local community,” Ferrai says, “because I’ve got a whole fleet of printers here that I use for my business and it wasn’t that hard to add one more to the pile of

mess that’s out in my shop.”

In total Ferrai says he printed out 1,800 head pieces for face guards for Make4Covid. Each frame approved through the Make4Covid program takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete, meaning the PPLD “foster” printer alongside about 30% of his personal fleet chugged out parts for about 4,000 hours. (Ferrai also took on some contracts for other states and produced another 600 in different designs.)

“It was a great opportunity for the Library to be able to get

volunteers to help when they couldn’t run the printers themselves,”

stocked with cots, temporary bathrooms with showers, and food for

he says. “I know they wanted to get involved in this and this helped

daily meals.

them to not just leave their machines sitting idle.”

Springs Rescue Mission Director of Guest Services Robert Farmer

When PPLD was able to open up its buildings to some staff again,

says, “The whole community came together and made this thing

Between May 4 and June 12, a staff team produced and distributed 1,020 ear savers.

they got the 3D printing rolling onsite

happen and the Library District did a big part of that by providing all

as well. Amber Cox, with PPLD’s

of the ‘entertainment pieces,’ if you will, to make sure that the guests

Creative Services, says between May

who came through there had something to occupy their minds while

4 and June 12, a staff team produced

they were staying there.”

and distributed 1,020 ear savers

PPLD brought in a cart with books, magazines, and movies, as well as

(also known as face mask buckles)

some Chromebooks and a couple of Wi-Fi hotspots, “things that we

for Make4Covid, and 925 more ear savers for PPLD staff. But 3D

didn’t have readily available,” Farmer says.

printing hasn’t been the only area that PPLD has gotten involved in

“We were having people who were struggling with medical issues, but

with the community during this crisis.

then also the population that was there, they’re also struggling with

Other pandemic-time partnerships have included donating gloves

mental health and addiction … just to keep their minds occupied

and surgical masks to the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency

really made their time there go easier,” Farmer says. “There also

Management; serving as a donation site for the Southeast Supply

weren’t a lot of people there to engage with either so they didn’t have

Drive; providing individuals who were picking up meals distributed

that community. It kind of filled that void.”

by local school districts and other businesses with reading material;

PPLD has been offering another crucial service to those experiencing

loaning out PPLD laptops and hotspots (in addition to offering use

homelessness, and other community members, during COVID —

of library facility Wi-Fi from parking lots) so residents could search

water. Drinking stations were installed outside of Penrose Library,

for jobs and apply for unemployment and other benefits; and helping

allowing anyone with a container to fill up whenever needed.

efforts to bring services to those without permanent housing who

“Having fresh water available is a huge need with the homeless

may reside in crowded or unsafe spaces, sleep in cars or on friends’

population,” says Farmer. “Even though we have it available at places

sofas, or even stay out on the streets.

like Springs Rescue Mission or Salvation Army, Marian House, in the

In mid-March, the City of Colorado Springs began working with a

summertime, especially, that could be quite a walk for somebody to

coalition of nonprofits to address the potential isolation needs of

be able to get fresh water.”

locals experiencing homelessness and virus symptoms. On April 5, this group opened a 70-bed isolation shelter at the City Auditorium,

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YOUR LIBRARY WAS USED

3,893,158 TIMES IN THE FIRST MONTHS OF THE PANDEMIC

From April - August 2020, your Library was hard at work welcoming patrons both old and new, creating new methods for virtual programming, and continuing to maintain clean and safe facilities. Here’s a quick breakdown:

1,249,440 eBooks

427,864 Curbside Visits

377,340 eAudios

11,653 Printer Uses

830 eVideos

1,790,210 Website Activities

COLORADO SPRINGS

1,474 Music

208 Audiobooks

993 Movies 6

552 Comics

957 TV Shows Children’s Hospital Colorado complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. • ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-720-777-1234. • CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1-720-777-1234.

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Virtual Services & Programs Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) is committed to providing Library resources and services to you — now and into the future. Thanks to the public’s investment and taxpayer support, we can deliver access to information and opportunities that impact lives and build community across El Paso County.

People of all ages can use the Library remotely, with many digital resources available 24/7. Plus, our librarians are bringing their services to you, anywhere and anytime! We offer an array of virtual programs, providing new and familiar opportunities that can be experienced from almost anywhere.

Get the most out of your virtual Library experience by visiting ppld.org/remote or ppld.org/virtual.

Track your holds, view your account information, and more.

The PPLD mobile app helps you access online resources as easily and quickly as possible. It’s fast, free, and easy to use. Place holds, search for materials, set your pickup locations, and find digital materials in the palm of your hand.

App store download: ppld.org/app Play store download: ppld.org/app

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Workers Workers install install aa water water station station outside outside Penrose Penrose Library.

Library.

COVID Heroes

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people across the globe stepped up in new and innovative ways to provide services of all kinds to those in need. It was no different at Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD). Below, we celebrate members of the PPLD community who were nominated by their peers for going above and beyond to provide library services during the pandemic.

Tina Matiatos, Rockrimmon Library When the pandemic hit, PPLD had to quickly pivot services, including providing curbside service for patrons to pick up their holds and print jobs. This was a monumental task completed by staff throughout the District. Some adjustments were seemingly minor, but still provided a large impact on a personal level.

Those with hearing impairment can have a particularly difficult time understanding people wearing masks because much communication is done by reading lips. Rockrimmon Library Children’s Associate Tina

Gary Syling, Facilities

Matiatos noticed a regular patron, who is deaf, approach for curbside service. “She quickly went to remove

“Gary has been steadfast and unconditionally loyal to all things concerning the reopening of the Library

her mask and put on her clear face shield so she could be more easily understood by the patron,” recalls

and all its locations,” says Facilities Project Manager Loyd Neal. As Chief Facilities Management Officer,

Rockrimmon Library Manager Steve Abbott. “He was able to get what he needed and was visibly moved

Syling oversaw many projects his department took on throughout the Library District, including the

by her actions.”

securing and distribution of cleaning supplies and the installation of protective shields at service points.

Nichol Patrick, Penrose Library, and Amber Cox, Creative Services Masks were difficult to acquire when COVID-19 cases began to increase, and there was a need among Library staff and their families for face coverings. In particular, staff preparing Library facilities to provide

Facilities also installed water stations for the public at Penrose Library when there was no access to the inside of the building. Olson Plumbing & Heating, Rampart Supply, and Colorado Sheet Metal donated the supplies for those stations.

public services needed masks to protect their coworkers.

Creative Services oversaw a massive effort by staff throughout the District to create masks for employees,

Juanita Lanaux, Information Technology

as well as personal protective equipment for the community. “Amber Cox modified sewing patterns for

In addition to shifting services for patrons, PPLD staff also had a lot of work to do behind the scenes

four different sizes of masks, helped figure out how the sewing stations would work in the libraries, and

to enable Library staff to work from home. With more employees working remotely, the IT End User

really led the effort to get this done so staff could be safe and comfortable during this time,” reports

Services (EUS) team, led by Director of IT Technical Support Juanita Lanaux, jumped into action.

Creative Services Librarian Morgan Sawicki.

“Laptops and hotspots were delivered to staff all over the city at all hours of the day and night,” says

Nichol Patrick, Library Assistant at Penrose Library, also made masks for staff. “With no expectations of

Director of IT Infrastructure Annelise Parker. They also installed remote tools and phone software so the

any kind of reimbursement, she gave her time and used her own money freely to making sure we all had as

Library could continue providing services to the community. “I am proud of the EUS team,” says Lanaux,

many masks as we needed,” recalls Debbie Vitulli, Penrose Library Senior Assistant. “Her homemade face

“And I love knowing that our IT department was a part of supporting the wonderful staff at PPLD

masks are the most comfortable masks that I have and are very stylish.”

during COVID-19.”

Abby Simpson, Phased Reopening Team Lead As soon as PPLD closed its doors, planning began to determine how services would be safely reintroduced

Debbie Vitulli, Penrose Library

to the public. Abby Simpson not only oversaw the team that crafted that plan, but also the formation of

During the pandemic, PPLD staff served the community even beyond their library duties, including

around 30 other teams that focused on various aspects of the phased reopening and engaging staff at

Penrose Library Senior Assistant Debbie Vitulli. “Immediately upon learning of PPLD’s closure, Debbie

home because of the lockdown. “Abby was heroic for her effort in organizing the teams that got us all

turned to the community seeking opportunities to help,” says Bill Thomas, who retired this year from

engaged and through the hardest times,” remembers Director of West Region Michael Doherty.

PPLD’s Regional History & Genealogy department. “It wasn’t long before she found a volunteer position

This was all done on top of her duties as Director of PPLD’s Southeast Region, which among other

with Westside CARES working at a food bank. She then volunteered to personally deliver food parcels to

things hosted a supply drive at Sand Creek Library. “Abby is a leader of action and she keeps us engaged

homebound members of our community. She also found a third volunteer position with Family Promise,

and eager to serve the community in the best way possible,” says East Library Manager Janina Goodwin.

where she worked tirelessly to support families who suddenly found themselves homeless because of the

“I truly admire Abby. She’s absolutely incredible in how she weaves her goals and values into her work to

pandemic.”

benefit everyone.”

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Librarians compile trusted resources for navigating the pandemic Resources Resources and and information information helped helped community community understand understand options options

A Word from our Patrons As Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) quickly pivoted services to revolve around our online catalog, virtual offerings, and curbside services, community members were patient, understanding, and gracious! PPLD staff are thankful for each of our patrons and your support during this unprecedented time.

Providing accurate information and needed resources is a

The full guide is available at

longstanding pillar of library service. That work became even more

research.ppld.org/covid19emergencyaid.

important in the wake of a world-altering pandemic.

Plus, our Library staff created a collection of museums and experts

As the reality of COVID-19 descended on us, we all struggled to

who offer free educational and entertainment opportunities online.

understand what precautions were necessary and what was taking it

We hoped such a compilation would make it easier for people to find

too far, how the virus spreads, and what we can do to keep ourselves

things to do from home. The comprehensive list includes ideas for

I sincerely applaud

and loved ones safe.

children, teens, and adults of all ages, and a large list of all the virtual

all of PPLD’s

Fortunately, librarians at Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) leapt into

tours of cultural institutions now available online. Those can be

action doing what they do best: curating trusted resources to help our

viewed at research.ppld.org/freeresources.

The PPLD online eBook

community access the information they need.

While the world seems tumultuous, confusing, and scary at times,

service has been invaluable

Our team put together resources to help the community navigate the

we know accurate information and trusted resources can help us

to me during this time. I

pandemic and its various impacts on people’s lives. It’s not just a list

make sense of the chaos. If you have questions about the resources

cannot even calculate

of reputable sources on the virus itself, but also contains:

mentioned above or where you should start in your journey for

how much money it has

•

knowledge, simply head to ppld.org/ask to connect with our staff.

saved me over the last

Information on benefits for disaster relief, utilities assistance, and unemployment,

•

Lists of where to find food for those in need of assistance,

•

Emergency childcare resources,

•

Mental health resources,

•

Information on getting assistance for your business,

•

Help with housing and rent payments,

•

Ways to find legal assistance, and

•

Information on avoiding scams.

Below are some words from our patrons about their experience with PPLD services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

month. Thank you!!

efforts to pivot to continue to serve

Thank you so much for opening

This is not an easy time,

our community

up the curbside service. It is a

but I’m glad for my library

in a variety of

blessing for the community.

making it a little better!

impactful ways.

Heart-felt appreciation to

Just used the curbside

PPLD and the

pickup. Slick! Thanks

entire team.

to PPLD for being one

I don’t know what I would have

of the best parts of

done without the library during the

life in El Paso County!

lockdown. You all did a great job!

I am really impressed

Thank you for doing

with all of the virtual

a wonderful and

services I found on your

considerate job during

website today! I think

COVID. You are a pride

this is wonderful!

of our community.

Thank you for working during this historic time. Your team’s dedication to keeping as many library services available as possible and adding new ones to accommodate the specific needs of patrons in real time is admirable. It’s comforting to know that when all else fails, the library is a go-to for knowledge and information, no matter what. We love this library district.

I’m enjoying the

We miss you all

virtual yoga classes.

and our trips to the

My cat has also

library so much.

been participating!

The virtual program that I attended this

Thank you for doing

week was a Children’s Storytime! It was really

such an amazing job

great, because even though it’s virtual,

reopening services PPLD is the BEST!! Thank you for continuing to support our community during this uncertain time.

Libraries save lives.

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it’s still engaging! They did an activity,

under such challenging circumstances. You are all truly appreciated.

My boys are taking full advantage of the time at home and OverDrive to read and listen to so many books!

read a story, and then they did a riddle.

The children’s staff is so creative! And it’s great that they are able to still do these things for the community, it’s something fun and interesting for both kids and their parents. And it doesn’t take more than a few minutes to take a break to do this.

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Not this city’s first rodeo

Colorado Colorado Springs’ COVID-19 response looks much like that of the Spanish Flu in 1918

While “social distancing” may be contemporary terminology, the concept in relation to a pandemic is not.

It, along with quarantining, business and school closures, and a recommendation to wear cloth face masks became common techniques for reducing the spread of the 1918 Spanish Flu, a contagious virus from which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about 50 million people worldwide died over a two-year period.

According to Katie Rudolph’s essay “The Influenza Pandemic of 1918: A Colorado Springs Timeline,” included in the book Doctors, Diseases, and Dying in the Pikes Peak Region, published by Pikes Peak Library District, the city began taking precautions in late September, after a student soldier who was studying at Colorado College died on Sept. 29. The college was one of the first places to be

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closed as a result. (Records note that about half of all victims from

business district are washed every morning.” On Oct. 22, “G. B.

the Spanish Flu were those in their 20s and 30s.)

Gilmore, city health officer, asks that Colorado Springs residents

“It’s pretty eerie, looking at the Colorado College student newspaper

‘forego kissing, and even shaking hands, until the epidemic is over.’”

headlines during the time of the 1918 epidemic. The paper is out of

Voting became an issue during the time as well. Voters, writes

date the moment it’s printed,” says Jessy Randall, curator and archivist

Rudolph, were urged to exercise care on Election Day, Nov. 3, and

at Colorado College’s Tutt Library Special Collections. “A headline on

judges and clerks were asked to wear gauze masks.

October 4 of 1918 announces confidently that classes are going to

In late November, John Henderson, a local chemist, left to study

he saw in the New York Times,” of a virus strain that

happen, and then we learn in a newspaper article from two months

influenza vaccines at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. “With the

had hit Hong Kong. He acquired a specimen of

later that October 4 was the exact day the college closed.”

culture he brings back,” Rudolph writes, “he and City Chemist Miss

the virus and worked with manufacturers to begin

Throughout October, citizens were asked almost daily to do more

Jessie B. Mayhew make enough vaccination serum to potentially

producing a vaccine in preparation for what was sure

in order to reduce transmission. Orders included avoiding crowded

inoculate 10,000 people.”

to cross the ocean.

areas like street cars, disinfecting often, and stopping the burning of

The main part of the pandemic began slowing in Colorado Springs

Thanks to early vaccination efforts, much of the U.S.

leaves, “as it ‘causes no end of trouble by making people cough and

by late December and restrictions began to be lifted. Churches were

population avoided catching the virus — but school

sneeze.’”

allowed to host one service each Sunday beginning Dec. 22.

openings that fall did increase outbreaks. “Over the

By Oct. 11, outdoor

By the end of 1918, the Colorado Springs Department of Public

summer the new strain manifested itself by a series

meetings were banned

Health and Sanitation reported 191 deaths related to the influenza,

of localized epidemics, afflicting groups of teenagers

in addition to those

from a population of about 35,000. Statewide, between September

and young adults,” writes Zeldovich.

indoors. Beginning

1918 and June 1919, influenza and its complications, particularly

While dozens of students got sick, and more than

Oct. 18, Rudolph notes,

pneumonia, infected 49,000 Coloradans and killed nearly 8,000, out

50 spent Homecoming in bed that year, everyone

that now “the health

of a population of about 900,000. Colorado had the fifth highest

survived, and the virus cycle on campus only lasted

department fumigates

mortality rate in the U.S.

about a month — though much like COVID-19

each piece of laundry

While the general Colorado Springs population wouldn’t be heavily

today, between 1 and 2 million people died

that leaves Colorado

impacted by the next international influenza pandemic of 1957,

worldwide, more than 100,000 in the U.S. alone.

College to go to a

Colorado College would take another hit.

To learn more about local history, visit

laundry service,” and

According to journalist Lina Zeldovich, in an April 2020 story for

ppld.org/regional-history-and-genealogy.

“streets and irrigation

JSTOR, a digital library for scholars, researchers, and students,

ditches in the city’s

“American microbiologist Maurice Hilleman was alarmed by a photo

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Calhan Library 600 Bank St., Calhan, CO 80808 (719) 531-6333, x7013 Cheyenne Mountain Library 1785 S. 8th St. #100, Colorado Springs, CO 80905 (719) 531-6333, x7001 East Library 5550 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, 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 Knights of Columbus Hall 20 W. Pikes Peak Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903 (719) 531-6333 Library 21c 1175 Chapel Hills Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80920 (719) 531-6333, x7012 Manitou Springs Library 701 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, CO 80829 (719) 531-6333, x7004

Pikes Peak Library District Discovery COVID-19 Edition Executive Editor Michelle Ray Managing Editor Kayah Swanson Graphic Designer Nicole Enger Contributors Kirsten Akens Brenna Hemphill David Kelly Colleen Lark Michelle Ray Kayah Swanson Jeremiah Walter Pikes Peak Library District Board of Trustees President Debbie English Vice President Mina Liebert Secretary/Treasurer Wayne A. Vanderschuere Dora Gonzales Cathy Grossman Dr. Ned C. Stoll Scott Taylor

Mobile Library Services (719) 531-6333, x2313 Monument Library 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr., Monument, CO 80132 (719) 531-6333, x7005 Old Colorado City Library 2418 W. Pikes Peak Ave., Colorado Springs, 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., Colorado Springs, CO 80903 (719) 531-6333, x7015 Rockrimmon Library 832 Village Center Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80919 (719) 531-6333, x7008 Ruth Holley Library 685 N. Murray Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80915 (719) 531-6333, x7009 Sand Creek Library 1821 S. Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80916 (719) 531-6333, x7018

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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 16 facilities, online resources, and mobile library services. It is a nationally recognized system of public libraries serving a population of more than 660,000 across 2,070 square miles in El Paso County, Colo.