District Discovery Fall 2023 Vol. 5 Issue 4

Fall 2023 • Volume 5, Issue 4 (719) 531-6333 | ppld.org

Americans and the Holocaust Exhibit pg. 4

Location Spotlight: Mobile Library Services

See story on pg. 6

pg. 9

Staff Spotlight: Teona Shainidze-Krebs pg. 12

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Letter from the Chief Librarian & CEO We live in a complicated world, and sometimes that world is dangerous. Deadly, even. But during the most difficult times – often created by the worst human impulses – we see the best in humanity. Bravery. Compassion. Ingenuity.

In this edition of District Discovery, you will read how Pikes Peak Library District is featuring the stories of people who endured these dire situations.

In September and October, East Library will host the Americans and the Holocaust traveling exhibit from the American Library Association and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

As a complement to this exhibit, our annual community reads program, All Pikes Peak Reads, will feature The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line: Untold Stories of the Women Who Changed the Course of World War II. The book’s author, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Mari K. Eder, will be visiting PPLD on October 7.

4 Exhibit at East Library Highlights Americans' Responses to the Holocaust 6 All Pikes Peak Reads Features Stories of World War II Women 9 Location Spotlight: Forget Horsepower; Mobile Libraries Run on People Power 10 A Day in the Life of The 705 12 Staff Spotlight: A World of Experiences Prepared Shainidze-Krebs to Lead PPLD 14 Enhance Your Holiday Experience with Seasonal Resources and Book Pairings at the Library 17 Programs for Adults 21 Programs for Teens, Families, and Children

This magazine also contains a story about my own life, which began in Soviet Georgia and was shaped by world events and the fall of the Soviet Union.

I am proud to now lead an organization that improves lives in the community we serve, helping people overcome hard times by cultivating spaces for belonging and personal growth. I hope you’ll find some things to improve your own life in these pages and within the walls of our libraries.

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Teona Shainidze-Krebs Chief Librarian & CEO Pikes Peak Library District

HERE, OUR PERSONALIZED CARE LEADS TO MIRACULOUS THINGS. 2

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Exhibit at East Library Highlights Americans' Responses to the Holocaust

By Jeanne Davant Americans and the Holocaust, a special traveling exhibit based on an exhibition at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., is making its only Colorado appearance at Pikes Peak Library District’s (PPLD) East Library this fall. East Library is one of only 50 libraries across the country that are hosting the exhibit, which examines Americans’ responses to the Holocaust.

“individuals have choices and those choices have large and small consequences,” she says. “Americans who were paying attention had access to a lot of information about the Holocaust as it was happening. They made decisions about how to respond, and those decisions reflected their own priorities, sympathies, and the context in which they lived.”

The exhibit tells the stories of Americans who made extraordinary efforts to help Jewish refugees, and others who might have been sympathetic but either didn’t know what to do or didn’t consider it their problem.

“The exhibit covers the period from 1933 to 1945 and looks at the motives, pressures, and fears that influenced Americans’ reactions to the persecution and murder of European Jews,” says Dr. Rebecca Erbelding, a historian, educator, curator and archivist at the Holocaust Memorial Museum, and author of the article “Rescue Board: The Untold Story of America’s Efforts to Save the Jews of Europe,” published by Doubleday in 2018.

During its 25th anniversary in spring 2018, the museum opened the main exhibition to the public.

“The exhibit has four sections — one exploring what Americans could have known, one about whether Americans helped Jewish refugees, one about how the United States joined World War II, and one about how the U.S. responded to mass murder,” Dr. Erbelding says.

Each section includes photographs, publications, profiles of individuals, quotations and public opinion polling, as well as a video or interactive display for more in-depth exploration.

Actually, “Americans had quite a lot of information about the Holocaust as it was happening; the persecution of Jews in the 1930s was in American newspapers, on the radio, and in newsreels,” she says.

“There are no original artifacts in the exhibit and, since we knew the exhibit would be in libraries, we did not include any graphic images,” Dr. Erbelding says.

The Holocaust is not just a European story, she says; it’s also an American story.

One of the major themes of the exhibit, as well as of the museum’s programming in general, is that

“Prior to creating the exhibition, the museum researched Americans’ understanding of this history,” Dr. Erbelding says. “We found that most Americans … thought that no one in the United States knew about the Holocaust as it was happening.”

The research raised provocative questions that are reflected in the exhibition.

“We need to grapple with how people responded to the news, even if they may have had a hard time understanding it or believing that mass murder was actually happening,” she says. “We found amazing stories of people taking action to sponsor a refugee, or join an aid organization, but we also found that most Americans did not want the United States to expand immigration in order to help Jews trying to flee Europe. Why did some

people take action when many others didn’t?”

The museum’s officials realized that many Americans would not have the opportunity to go to Washington to view the exhibition and decided to create the traveling exhibit. In partnership with the American Library Association, it had planned to launch Americans and the Holocaust in March 2020, but the pandemic delayed its departure. The exhibit finally hit the road in October 2021 and will continue its journey through November 2023.

“Generally, the exhibit is open for six weeks at each location,” Erbelding says, “and libraries organize public programs when they have it. We’re especially excited when students get involved with the program or visit on field trips.”

Pikes Peak Library District was chosen to host the exhibit from more than 250 applications for the 50 tour sites, Erbelding says.

“We considered the strength of the libraries’ program plans, the partnerships they were developing to make the exhibit a success, and how the libraries thought the exhibit would be of value to their community,” she says. “Pikes Peak Library District had an excellent application.”

The District learned about the traveling exhibit through notifications from the American Library Association and the Holocaust Memorial Museum, states Senior Librarian Melissa Mitchell, who is managing its stay at East Library.

“We thought we should at least try to get this because it sounded really interesting and educational,” Mitchell says. “We were extremely thrilled when we did.”

Mitchell went to Washington, D.C. for training, along with representatives from other host sites, to explore the original exhibition and the traveling exhibit.

“It was a really great overview of the exhibit, and we talked a lot about different programming options,” she says.

All planned programming will be at East Library, and more programming is being developed, Mitchell says. Patrons can access more information about the exhibit and accompanying programming at ppld.org/HolocaustExhibit.

“People who come in and see the exhibit are going to learn a thing or two that they didn't know before,” Mitchell adds.

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“We hope we will provide our community with a great opportunity to learn more about the American aspects of the Holocaust and how Americans responded

Americans and the Holocaust Exhibit Programming Host libraries were required to develop at least four programs to accompany and support the exhibit. At PPLD’s East Library, they include: • A workshop for educators on Thu., Sept. 7 from 5 - 8 p.m. Mitchell says the workshop will help public school educators comply with a state law, HB20-1336, which requires the completion of a course that includes Holocaust and genocide studies for high school graduation.

• Opening reception on Sat., Sept. 9 from 10:30 a.m. - noon • Guided tours of the exhibit from Sept. 12 - Oct. 11 • A presentation by Dr. Fran Pilch, “European Jewish Refugees and U.S. Immigration Policies Before and After World War II,” on Thu., Sept. 21 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Dr. Pilch is a retired historian who taught at the Air Force Academy.

• A virtual presentation on propaganda and personal responsibility, “Eyewitness to History,” by Rudy Florian, a German resident who was forced to join the Hitler Youth. The program will be presented through Denver’s Mizel Museum.

• Choosing Dr. Mari K. Eder’s book, The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line: Untold Stories of the Women Who Changed the Course of World War II, as the 2023 All Pikes Peak Reads selection. Read more about this program on page 6.

to Nazism and the Holocaust,” she says. “We hope a dialogue happens where people will talk about the exhibit and think about things that are happening currently in the world and what they may do, and what they would have done during the Holocaust as well.”

The exhibit has been well received at libraries where it has already appeared, Erbelding comments. In fact, it has been so successful that the museum will add 50 more libraries to the tour next year.

“Most libraries are seeing visitors from hours away who have come to see it or attend a program,” she says. “There’s just a lot of curiosity and interest in this history—and particularly in what was happening in local communities in the 1930s and 1940s. One of the interactive components of the exhibit allows visitors to see what newspapers in each state reported about the Holocaust, and some libraries are even pulling material from their archives to create small exhibits to further localize the history.

“We hope that people see themselves in this story.”

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All Pikes Peak Reads Features Stories of World War II Women

By Jeanne Davant While researching a presentation for a U.S. Army leadership event, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Mari K. Eder discovered the story of Hilda Eisen, a young Polish girl who joined the Resistance in her country and fought against the Nazis during World War II. Eder was intrigued by Eisen’s story, as she was captured three times by the Nazis, and managed to escape all three times.

After the war, she emigrated to the United States with her husband to become a successful entrepreneur and business leader.

Eder also learned about Stephanie Czech Rader, a Polish American woman who served as a counterintelligence agent. Fascinated by these stories, Eder sought out additional little-known stories about women of the Greatest Generation who had risked their lives to make a difference during the war. She made it her mission to find out who they were, why they decided to take extraordinary actions, and what happened to them after the war.

The result of her research is The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line: Untold Stories of the Women Who Changed the Course of World War II, published in 2021 by Sourcebooks. The book is the 2023 selection for this fall’s All Pikes Peak Reads, Pikes Peak Library District’s annual program that focuses on celebrating literature, improving community connections, and fostering dialogue across social, cultural, and generational lines.

Eder says the book’s title was inspired by the 2019 Emmy Awards acceptance speech of Alex Borstein, an actor in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, who related that her grandmother, standing at the edge of a pit waiting to be shot by a Nazi soldier, said, “What happens if I step out of line?” The soldier replied that he wouldn’t have the heart to shoot her, but someone else might.

“And she stepped out of line,” Borstein says. “And for that, I am here. And for that, my children are here. So step out of line, ladies. Step out of line!”

“What happens if I step out of line?” The solder replied that he wouldn’t have the heart to shoot her, but someone else might. “And she stepped out of line” Eder profiles 15 women, in and out of uniform, who did just that — served, fought, struggled, and became unsung heroes of the war.

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“They are inspirational stories, but not in the way that we look at some stories today,” she says. They were not superheroes, “but real people, average people put in extraordinary situations who stepped up.”

But their stories needed to be told, she states. "I found them inspiring, and I wished I had known about them many years earlier."

Among the other women who come to life in the pages of the book are Ruth Gruber, an American journalist who brought 1,000 Jewish refugees to the United States; two

middle-aged sisters, Ida and Louise Cook, who saved 26 families from certain death by escorting them out of Nazi Germany and associated countries into Great Britain; Ola Mildred Rexroat, the only Native American woman to serve with the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots; and Alice Marble, a Grand Slam-winning tennis star who played exhibition matches for the troops but also carried out a dangerous undercover mission to expose Nazi theft.

Many of their stories are unknown because “they were very self-effacing and didn’t think they did anything special,” Eder says. “There’s also the fact that so much of this was classified for so long, and people couldn’t talk about it.”

But their stories needed to be told, she states. “I found them inspiring, and I wished I had known about them many years earlier.” These tales also highlight the importance of what everyone did to support the cause and to say, “This is wrong.”

Eder, a Pennsylvania native who graduated with a B.A. and M.A. in English literature from PennWest Edinboro as well as a Ph.D. from PennWest in humane

letters and graduate work in strategic studies and leadership, served five years of active duty in the Army and 20 years in the Reserves. Her impressive resumé includes positions as Director of Public Affairs of the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, Deputy Director of Public Affairs of the U.S. European Command, Deputy Chief of the U.S. Army Reserve, and Commander of the Joint and Special Troops Support Command.

After college, Eder took a job with a local newspaper in Pennsylvania but found it unsatisfying. Following the example of a friend, she decided to join the Army and expected to get into public relations or journalism.

After being commissioned as an officer in 1977, however, she found that public relations was not an entry-level specialty.

“I came into it sideways from the Reserves,” she says, “and then continued to go back and forth between having leadership positions and positions related to the production of news and information. I did that until I was promoted to Brigadier General and was made the Army’s Deputy Chief of Public Affairs.”

Her civilian jobs in public relations enabled Eder to explore different forms of writing. She is the author of essays and three books on communications, and while serving at the Pentagon, she wrote two children’s books featuring schnauzer dogs, delightfully titled 1001 Places to Pee Before You Die and Party Pooper.

Eder’s follow-up to The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line is The Girls Who Fought Crime: The Untold True Story of the Country's First Female Investigator and Her Crime Fighting Squad, published on Aug. 8, 2023.

The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line was chosen for this year’s All Pikes Peak Reads in conjunction with the Americans and the Holocaust exhibit, which the Library District will host during September, according to Senior Librarian Heidi Buljung. The book is available in regular and large-print editions as well as eBook and audiobook versions.

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Americans and the Holocaust traveling exhibit that will be at the East Library.” (Read more about the exhibit on page 4.)

Eder will give a keynote presentation on Sat., Oct. 7 at 3 p.m. at Library 21c and will be available for a meet-andgreet and book signing. Buljung also anticipates that the author will give a talk at the exhibit.

All Pikes Peak Reads has been an annual program since 2002.

“It's about exploring a book that you wouldn't have explored, maybe reading a narrative nonfiction book, maybe reading a different genre,” Buljung explains.

In its early days, the program focused on classic literature, but in recent years it centered on works by living authors and has included separate books for children, teens, and adults.

"It [All Pikes Peak Reads] is about exploring a book that you wouldn't have explored [...]"

“Every year, we select an appropriate title that focuses on timely topics, and then we have community-wide programs to go along with that title,” Buljung says. “This year, we selected the adult title to complement the

LOCATION SPOTLIGHT:

Forget Horsepower; Mobile Libraries Run on People Power

By Jeremiah Walter The first bookmobile in the United States was the brainchild of librarian Mary Lemist Titcomb, who came up with the idea of using a horse-drawn wagon to deliver books. Starting in 1905, library janitor and Civil War veteran Joshua Thomas began driving that book wagon to the residents of Washington County, Maryland.

were added to towns outside Colorado Springs, such as Ramah, Peyton, Chipita Park, and Edison to supplement existing stops within the city limits.

Over the years, the idea of mobile libraries began to catch on and eventually motorized vehicles replaced literal horsepower.

Currently, PPLD has a fleet of three mobile libraries.

The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line is also the fall selection for several of the book clubs that meet throughout the Library District, Buljung says. Patrons can visit ppld.org and click on Find a Good Book to find out what book clubs are associated with their location.

Mobile library service in the Pikes Peak region dates back to 1942, when, according to The Gazette Telegraph, “As a new defense service to the community, the El Paso County library has arranged to operate a Bookmobile—a traveling library—for two weeks out of each month” as part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) war service project.

In the decades that ensued, vehicles were replaced and equipped with more modern technology to serve routes that morphed to best meet the needs of Library District residents.

Buljung says she thinks the All Pikes Peak Reads selection is especially relevant to the Pikes Peak region this year.

The service came to an end with the expiration of the WPA on January 22, 1943, after circulating a total of 2,959 books, mostly for children.

“We have such a rich military history and such a rich military community here,” she says. “It complements the exhibit and reading Gen. Eder’s book also helps to give context to the exhibit. She has been absolutely wonderful to work with. I think that it really tells a lot about an author when they're excited to support a community reads program like she has.”

Currently, PPLD has a fleet of three mobile libraries, which circulated over 100,000 items in 2022.

After dropping off 118 new books at a soldiers’ recreation center in the Colorado Springs City Auditorium the week before, the vehicle made its first journey eastward on September 23, 1942. “Seventyeight books were circulated to members of the Calhan community during a one-hour stop in the town.”

In the spirit of the book, the libraries will offer Rosie the Riveter coloring pages for children during September and October. The District also will provide materials and instructions for a Rosie the Riveter crochet doll, courtsey of Carla Mitrani (@amourfou_crochet), that patrons can pick up at their libraries and take home.

Eder will give a keynote presentation on Sat., Oct. 7 at 3 p.m. at Library 21c and will be available for a meetand-greet and book signing.

For more information about All Pikes Peak Reads and related events, visit ppld.org/appr

The service came to an end with the expiration of the WPA on January 22, 1943, after circulating a total of 2,959 books, mostly for children.

It wasn’t until 1954 that mobile library service returned to the area, when Colorado Springs Public Library (which would later become Pikes Peak Library District) used an anonymous grant to purchase a vehicle that held 3,000 books.

A decade later, when the Pikes Service Bo Peak Regional Library District formed in 1964, two new bookmobiles were purchased to expand library service in the area. Stops

Pikes Peak

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“We have more than 90 unique stops consisting of schools, daycares, neighborhoods, senior living facilities, shopping centers, and community centers,” says Mobile Library Services Manager Lisa Ward. “We bring the Library to the most underserved members of our community and to individuals who are unable to utilize other PPLD locations due to lack of transportation, physical concerns, personal schedule, or distance from a Library location.”

PPLD’s Lobby Stop Service takes things one step further, “taking materials to browse inside the lobby of retirement, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care facilities,” explains Ward. “It also offers time to socialize, play games, and receive training.”

At the heart of it all is a staff that is passionate about bringing library services as distant as 45 miles away from the Penrose Library garage that houses the mobile library fleet.

“We have a small and mighty crew who love to serve the community and who rely on each other for dayto-day operations,” says Ward. ”They work together to provide great customer service; going out of their way to ensure the patrons have what they want and need.”

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A Day in the Life of The 705

By Jeremiah Walter At 7:30 a.m. on a Monday morning, Senior Library Associate January Fairfield walks into the garage at the base of Penrose Library in downtown Colorado Springs and begins a series of tests on The 705, a 30-foot long 2014 Thomas box truck that has been converted into a library on wheels.

She animatedly reads to a roomful of children and their caretakers. Fairfield engages the audience with questions throughout. Once several books have been read, attention turns to the craft for the day. Fairfield tries to match the themes of crafts with the books she has read, and today is no exception.

Proper air pressure in the tires? Check. Taillights working? Check. Oil and coolant levels good? Check.

“When they remember me, that makes my day every time,” says Fairfield.

Meanwhile, in a nearby work room, requested items on hold are being pre-checked-out for patrons of the two Mobile Library Service stops The 705 will be visiting later that day: The Western Museum of Mining and Industry, and Black Forest.

Soon, children are proudly showing off giraffes made from construction paper, glue, markers, and – of course – googly eyes. Fairfield has also made a giraffe of her own and given it a name: Frederico Francois Fuller IV.

These reserved materials soon come on-board The 705, which the night before had its selection of browsable books switched out for a different collection to keep things fresh for regular users. The books on the top shelf get buckled in, ready to go for a ride.

At 8:53 a.m., The 705 pulls out of the garage driven

by Fairfield, who had to go through MasterDrive training and a road test to ensure she could handle this bulky vehicle safely before being handed the keys.

“I love driving,” says Fairfield. “I especially love when I park in one fell swoop. It’s like a hole in one.”

Twenty minutes later, The 705 pulls into the gravel parking lot outside The Reynolds House, a Victorian-era farmhouse on the grounds of the Western Museum of Mining and Industry.

Fairfield enters the historic house and begins preparing for Storytime, setting up chairs and pulling a variety of giraffe-themed children’s books out of a tote bag. As people arrive, Fairfield greets many of them by name. “Miss January is back!” exclaims one child.

“When they remember me, that makes my day every time,” says Fairfield.

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business. Minutes later, a family climbs on board.

“They’re so excited to see you guys!” says a mom, whose three children sign up for the Library’s Summer Adventure program and check out a pile of books.

Throughout the afternoon, a steady stream of patrons pass through The 705, most greeted by name and many handed their pre-checked-out holds with a smile from Fairfield.

“We love y’all being here,” says one woman who returns a robotics Discovery Kit. “You’re the best!” declares another.

For many who live outside of Colorado Springs, like adult siblings Luanna and Ryan Mabrey, visiting the mobile library is a tradition that goes back decades.

“We’ve been coming since we were kids, and my mom’s been using it for over 40 years,” mentions Luanna.

“They’re so excited to see you guys!” says a mom, whose three children sign up for the Library’s Summer Adventure program [...]

While in the middle of a series of back-and-forth maneuvering, Fairfield comments, “This is like Austin Powers,” a reference to the Mike Myers film in which the title character takes a comically long time to turn around a golf cart in a narrow hallway.

Soon, The 705 is back in its parking spot, returned materials are unloaded, and an end-of-route checklist is filled out. Tomorrow, it will be back on the road to bring library services to even more delighted patrons.

The odds are good that Fairfield will know many of their names as well.

“It’s mainly about the convenience,” adds Ryan.

With another successful Storytime and craft in the books, it’s time for a quick lunch at the local food center that offers a variety of options. After taking some time for rest and nourishment, Fairfield begins navigating The 705 eastward toward Black Forest. While driving, Fairfield is “running through the new kids’ names [who attended Storytime] so I can remember them next time. It makes them feel noticed.”

At 4:39 p.m., Fairfield fires up The 705’s engine and heads west, pulling into the Penrose Library garage just after 5 p.m. Now there’s just the little matter of parking.

A bit of drama arises when the mobile library encounters some road construction, but any fear of a late arrival to the next stop is alleviated when a roadcrew worker changes his sign from “Stop” to “Slow” and The 705 rolls through the construction zone without delay.

Ten minutes before noon, Fairfield parks the mobile library in front of the Black Forest Community Church for its second and final stop of the day. A bookdrop near the church is emptied out, an “Open” flag is hung from the side of the vehicle, and by noon The 705 is ready for

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STAFF SPOTLIGHT:

A World of Experiences Prepared Shainidze-Krebs to Lead PPLD

By Jeremiah Walter Even at a young age growing up in Soviet Georgia, Pikes Peak Library District Chief Librarian and CEO Teona Shainidze-Krebs had a love of books and learning.

“I was a nerd,” says Shainidze-Krebs. “During summer breaks, without my parents even asking me, I would study. I would check out books from the library or use my grandparents’ library.”

Adjusting to life in Russia was difficult.

Her hometown of Batumi was on the coast of the Black Sea, “so of course we would go to the beach almost every day.”

“When you learn a language, it's not just a list of words and phrases. It's a culture. It's a cuisine. It’s everything.”

But her idyllic childhood was interrupted on April 9, 1989.

“I did not speak Russian. It was hard to go to school there and to learn the language. And it was very hard to leave my friends and family behind,” says Shainidze-Krebs. “Also, I grew up in a subtropical climate and I found myself in Russia, where it was really cold.”

“A lot of Georgians decided to go to Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, and march to demand independence from the Soviet regime,” recalls Shainidze-Krebs.

“And that was the day the Soviet Army entered Tbilisi. It was a peaceful protest, but the army used weapons and individuals sacrificed their lives for the independence that we have today in the country of Georgia.”

The violence resulted in 21 deaths and hundreds of injuries. On April 9, 1991, exactly two years later, Georgia regained its independence lost in 1921.

“Georgia was in the Soviet Union for 70 years,” says Shainidze-Krebs. “When you are part of such a gigantic system, the economies are interdependent. So, when the Soviet Union collapsed, the generation of my parents were kind of a lost generation because the economy wasn't there, the system wasn't there.”

In the power vacuum that ensued, Aslan Abashidze secured a stronghold on Adjara, the region in western Georgia where Shainidze-Krebs and her family lived.

Her grandfather was a former government official and opposed Abashidze, who in 2016 was sentenced for misuse of office, embezzlement, organization of terrorist attacks, and murder.

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“My grandfather’s opposition was one of the reasons Abashidze blocked our family and put a lot of pressure on us, especially after my grandfather passed away,” remembers Shainidze-Krebs. “We decided it was best for the safety of my family to move to Russia, where we had relatives.”

She eventually decided to study linguistics at Nizhny Novgorod State Linguistic University, focusing on English and Russian.

“I love languages,” says Shainidze-Krebs.

“When you learn a language, it's not just a list of words and phrases. It's a culture. It's a cuisine. It’s everything.

Her linguistics studies led to her being hired as a translator.

“I was asked to help a group of Americans who were in Russia,” recalls Shainidze-Krebs. “And that’s how I met James.”

learn how to fix your car. Before, I thought libraries were just to check out books and work on your research paper.”

“Within a week we were able to start offering services to the community virtually.”

Her role with the Library slowly expanded over the years. She became coordinator of the Adult Education department (then called LitSource) and grew the size and scope of the department after securing federal grant money. She was eventually named Director of Adult Education before becoming Chief Public Services Officer and Deputy Chief Librarian in October 2019.

Just five months later, COVID-19 hit and PPLD’s Public Services had to quickly reassess and retool the way they served the public.

“Within a week we were able to start offering services to the community virtually,” Shainidze-Krebs recalls.

She was named Interim Chief Librarian and CEO when John Spears left PPLD in April 2022 after six years leading the District. One year later, the PPLD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to appoint her as the permanent head of the Library District.

“The Library gives me a profound sense of pride in this country. Not every community in the world has the same tools and resources to help people better their lives and adjust to the circumstances thrown their way,” said Shainidze-Krebs when appointed. “However, our local libraries are that space where people can choose resources and tools to connect them to opportunities that allow them to thrive. I am honored to lead PPLD staff members toward the betterment of our community.”

Her future husband lived in Colorado Springs, where she eventually moved after they got married.

“I started looking for employment here, and my mother-in-law told me, ‘Hey, Teona. The Library is hiring a part-time ESL [English as a Second Language] instructor,” says Shainidze-Krebs.

She applied, got the job, and began working for the Library in August 2007. The scope of PPLD’s services amazed her.

“We offer many more resources than libraries in Russia or Georgia. You can check out movies. There are storytimes for children. You can check out a book to

Answer from page 16

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Enhance Your Holiday Experience with Seasonal Resources and Book Pairings at the Library

By Carla Bamesberger How many holidays does your family celebrate in the fall and winter? From September through December, people throughout Colorado celebrate their heritage in a variety of ways. Here are a few book and database pairing suggestions to help you explore your favorite holidays and learn about others. Visit ppld.org/databases to find the databases (some are only accessible to El Paso County residents).

Labor Day (Mon., Sept. 4) recognizes the contributions and achievements of laborers in the United States. Enjoy with There is Power in a Union: An Epic Story of Labor in America by Philip Dray, and pair with articles in our U.S. History in Context database.

Patriot Day (Mon., Sept. 11) honors the memory of people killed in the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001 and during the rescue efforts. Reflect with The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by Garrett M. Graff, and pair with historic newspaper articles in our New York Times database. For kids, pair with A Nation Challenged: A Visual History of 9/11 and its Aftermath

by Nancy Lee. Rosh Hashanah (Sept. 15 – Sept. 17) brings in the new year for Jewish families with reflection, gratitude, and planning. Enjoy with Celebrating the Jewish Year by Paul Steinberg, or Jewish Holiday Cooking by Joshua Korn, and pair with articles from our Religion and Philosophy Collection database. For kids, pair with Measuring a Year: A Rosh Hashanah Story by Linda Elovitz Marshall.

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Indigenous Peoples Day (Mon., Oct. 9) celebrates the cultures, histories, and perspectives of Indigenous peoples and their ancestors in North America. Enjoy with Our History is the Future by Nick Estes, or Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse, and pair with our Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes database. For kids, pair with We are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom.

Columbus Day (Mon., Oct. 9) commemorates explorer Christopher Columbus’s landing in the Americas in 1492, becoming the first European to explore the Americas since the Vikings. Enjoy with Columbus: The Four Voyages by Laurance Bergreen, and pair with our History Reference Center database. For kids, pair with Columbus & the Renaissance Explorers by Colin Hynson.

Halloween (Tue., Oct. 31) is a popular holiday celebrated with scary movies, fun and creepy costumes, seasonal decorations, haunted houses, and more. Enjoy with Creating Your Vintage Hallowe’en by Marion Paull, or Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and pair with eBooks in our Gale Virtual Reference Library database. For kids, pair with Halloween’s Spooky History

by Theodore Jones.

Día de los Muertos (Nov. 1 – Nov. 2) honors family members and ancestors who have passed away with offerings of favorite foods and drinks. Enjoy with Day of the Dead Folk Art by Stevie Mack, or Day of the Dead: 20 Creative Projects to Make for Your Party or Celebration by Paula Pascual, and pair with articles from our Ethnic Diversity Source database. For kids, pair with Our Day of the Dead Celebration by Ana Aranda.

Veterans Day (Sat., Nov. 11) honors veterans throughout the U.S. who served their country. Commemorate with Fire in My Eyes: An American’s Journey from Being Blinded on the Battlefield to Gold Medal Victory by Brad Snyder, or The Soviet Night Witches

by Pamela Dell, or pair with our World History in Context database. For kids, pair with Celebrate Veterans Day by Melissa Ferguson.

Diwali (Sun., Nov. 12) celebrates the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and is celebrated with fabulous feasts, illumination, and gatherings.

Enjoy with Being Hindu: Understanding a Peaceful Path in a Violent World by Kindol Sengupta, or A Holly Jolly Diwali

by Sonya Lalli, and pair with articles from our Explora for Public Libraries database. For kids, pair with It’s Diwali! By Kabir Sehgal.

Constitution Day (Sun., Sept. 17) commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787 and recognizes those who have become U.S. citizens through coming of age or naturalization. Enjoy with The Words That Made Us by Akhil Reed Amar, and pair with a genealogy search using our genealogy databases like HeritageQuest. For kids, pair with The United States Constitution

by Liz Sonneborn.

Samhain (Oct. 31 – Nov. 1) ushers in the dark half of the year when the days become shorter, the harvest is gathered, and our world is thought to be closer to the realm of spirits. Enjoy with Samhain: Rituals, Recipes, & Lore for Halloween by Diana Rajchel, or The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury, and pair with our Religion & Philosophy Collection database.

Thanksgiving (Thu., Nov. 23) commemorates a shared autumn harvest feast between Plymouth colonists and the Native American Wampanoag people with family gatherings and an extravagant feast. Enjoy with Dinner with the President: Food, Politics, and a History of Breaking Bread at the White House by Alex Prud’homme, or There There by Tommy Orange, and pair with our U.S. History in Context database. For kids, pair with Giving Thanks: How Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday by Denise Kiernan.

September

October

November

Hanukkah (Dec. 7 – Dec. 15) commemorates triumph and the miracle of light that took place during the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem.

Enjoy with Hanukkah in America: A History by Dianne Ashton, or The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer, and pair with eBooks in our Gale Virtual Reference Library. For kids, pair with Hanukkah by Dennis B. Fradin.

Yule (Dec. 21 – Jan. 1) honors the winter solstice and renewal, and is celebrated in a variety of ways, from feasts to ceremonies. Enjoy with Yule: Rituals, Recipes, & Lore for the Winter Solstice by Susan Pesznecker, and pair with eBooks from our Gale Virtual Reference Library database. For kids, pair with The Yule Tomte and the Little Rabbits by Ulf Stark and Eva Eriksson.

Christmas Eve and Day (Dec. 24 - Dec. 25) are celebrated with customs from many cultures and recognizes generosity, kindness, light, and the birth of Jesus. Enjoy with Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien, or Christmas in America: A History by Penne L. Restad, and pair with historic photos in our PPLD Digital Collections database. For kids, pair with Joy to the World!: Christmas Around the Globe by Kate DePalma.

Kwanzaa (Dec. 26 – Jan. 1) celebrates African American culture, history, and traditions with food, family, and seven principles reflecting on culture, philosophy, and heritage. Enjoy with Kwanzaa: From Holiday to Every Day by Maitefa Angaza, or Dream a World Anew by Lonnie G. Bunch III, and pair with articles in our U.S. History in Context database.

For kids, pair with The Seven Days of Kwanzaa by Melrose Cooper.

New Year’s Eve and Day (Dec. 31 - Jan. 1) close out the prior year and bring in the new one with bright celebrations bursting with the possibilities ahead. Enjoy with the humor of Bridget Jones’s Diary

by Helen Fielding, or The New Year’s Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini, and pair with articles in our Explora for Public Libraries database.

December 15

Game Time!

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS Learn more at ppld.org/adults

Use the URL above or the QR code to

Think you have good reading comprehension skills? Test them with this short quiz!

All answers can be found within the articles in this District Discovery.

1 Where is The 705 housed?

get more information about these programs!

Patty & Craig: Songs and Stories

2 Fill in the blank: The Girls Who ______ Out Of Line

Join us for a lively performance of acoustic music with national touring artists Patty Stevenson and Craig Siemsen, known for their gorgeous harmonies, impeccable musicianship, playful stage humor, and jewel-like original songs.

3 How many languages does Teona speak?

4 When is Indigenous Peoples Day? 5 In what month does the Holocaust Exhibit open?

Holiday Cardmaking Make your own holiday cards, under the tutelage of local crafts guru Theresa Pingel, to send to your friends and family. All materials will be provided. Beginner/Intermediate skill level. Registration required.

6 How many mobile libraries does PPLD have?

1 Penrose Library 2 Stepped 3 Three 4 October 5 September 6 Three PPLD Celebrates Veterans Day

1 9 7 9

2

6 2 4

6

1 7 9

5 7 3

9

6 3

7 1 5 9 3

Airplane, iPhone, Sn

eaker, Headphones

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In collaboration with Who Gives a SCRAP Creative Reuse Center, we are hosting an arts, crafts, and hobbies materials exchange. Bring your new, clean/gently used, and unwanted craft materials and exchange them for "tickets" to "purchase/exchange" new-to-you craft supplies! Please only bring crafting supplies and not items that are considered trash, in bad condition, or items that can be recycled.

Patriotism in America Past and Present

Can you find what doesn't belong in this photo? Hint: There are 4 objects

lding ding the women's we clu in s, er ld we en m Photo: A lineup of wo scagoula, MS] [Shipbuilding Corp., Pa champion of Ingalls

Scrap Exchanges hosted by Who Gives a SCRAP

4 5 2 4 7 1

Fill in the blanks so that each row, each column, and each of the nine 3x3 grids contain one instance of each of the numbers 1 through 9.

Find the answer key on page 13.

NaNoWriMo Workshop Series PPLD Celebrates NaNoWriMo

Get ready for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) with these informative workshops. Participants will learn writing techniques to help write that 50,000-word novel during the thirty days of November.

Will America ever have another "Greatest Generation?" Local author Becky Van Vleet explores that question in her book, Unintended Hero, about her father's up-close and personal battles on the USS Denver in World War II in the Pacific Theater. Join Becky for an interactive book talk about patriotism from the Greatest Generation in World War II to present day.

Community Conversations Community Conversations at PPLD invites the public to discuss current events and issues impacting the Pikes Peak region. We want to promote civil dialogue and greater understanding of different perspectives.

Veterans Day Poppy Painting PPLD Celebrates Veterans Day

Learn more about the palette knife painting technique while creating a beautiful poppy design in honor of Veterans Day.

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REGIONAL HISTORY AND GENEALOGY RESOURCES Learn more at ppld.org/regional-history-and-genealogy

EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS Learn more at ppld.org/equity-diversity-and-inclusion

All programs are virtual unless otherwise noted.

Use the QR code or the URL above to learn more!

Genealogy Classes

Researching Female Ancestors

Registration is required for all events.

Register at tinyurl.com/ppldgenclasses

Tue., Nov. 28 | 7 - 8 p.m.

Ancestry Basics Tue., Sept. 26 | 7 - 8 p.m.

Ancestry Library Edition is a great place to get started with your genealogical research! Learn more about this incredible database, including how to search for records, limit your findings, and navigate some of Ancestry's helpful tools and features.

Researching your female ancestors can be a difficult, yet rewarding, process. They had fewer records, and these records are harder to trace (how do we find those elusive maiden names?!). In this class, we will discover strategies and records to help you research the women of your family.

Genealogy Basics

Sharing Your Family History Tue., Oct. 24 | 7 - 8 p.m.

This holiday season, give presents that will be treasured forever! In this class, we’ll cover creative ways you can share your research and heritage with family members.

We’ll also help you find a few great tools and methods so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

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Tue., Sept. 5 | 10 - 11 a.m.

Tue., Oct. 3 | 10 - 11 a.m.

Mon., Nov. 6 | 10 - 11 a.m. *Mon., Dec. 4 | 10 - 11 a.m.

3rd Saturday each month | 2 - 3 p.m.

Are you interested in researching your genealogy but aren't sure where to start? Join us for an introduction to genealogy research strategies, including getting started, organizing research, and selecting and searching for records. *The Dec. program is in-person.

Don't want to wait?!

Find class handouts, databases, and other genealogy resources on our website: tinyurl.com/ppldgendb

Use the URL above or the QR code to learn more about Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion programs!

Patrons of Influence: Diversity in S.T.E.M.

Patrons of Influence: Military Veterans in El Paso County

Wed., Sept. 20 | 10 a.m.

PPLD Celebrates Veterans Day

Join Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) and Citizen-Powered Media as we celebrate patrons who are providing positive influences in the areas of culture, business, and leadership in El Paso County. These local leaders will discuss their shared interests and experiences on how Diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (S.T.E.M.) strengthen organizations and communities.

Join Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) and Citizen-Powered Media as we celebrate patrons who are providing positive influences in the areas of culture, business, and leadership in El Paso County.

These local leaders will discuss their shared interests and experiences on how Military Veterans strengthen organizations and communities

Find a Banned Book PPLD Celebrates Banned Books Week

Wed., Nov. 15 | 10 a.m.

Military and Veteran's Services Information Fair PPLD Celebrates Military Family Month

Mon., Oct. 2 | 10 a.m.

Mon., Nov. 6 | 10 a.m.

During Banned Books Week you can, "Let Freedom Read!" and pick up a location guide of where to find topics of the books being banned across our nation. Celebrate intellectual freedom by finding any book you want to read!

Learn more about the services that help support local veterans and active-duty service members and their families in El Paso County. Meet local organizations at Library 21c that provide resources to our military community.

Older Adults Art for Older Adults Art for Older Adults inspires a sense of self-reliance for older adults, even when the participant is somewhat reliant on a partner to help with the use of materials. Each month, adults 55+ 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.

Aging Well, Without Injury Falls are the most common injury for people of all ages. This two-part workshop covers what increases your risk of falling and being injured, and how to keep yourself safe and injury free. Our goal is to prevent injuries so you can continue the active lifestyle you enjoy. Please join Christy from Centura Health for fun, learning, and fellowship. These are two-part classes, and part 1 is recommended before taking part 2.

Library Explorers

These programs are for adults with differing physical and developmental abilities, giving them opportunities to enjoy their library spaces, materials, and programs in ways that are most enjoyable and accessible for their individual needs.

Paper Crafts

Games! Games! Games!

PPLD Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

PPLD Celebrates International Games Month

From paper dolls to playful llamas, check the Library Explorers Kit for creative paper crafts that highlight different Hispanic cultures from around the world.

Come play a game with PPLD! Look inside the Library Explorers Kit for new games, puzzles, and other interactive activities to have great fun.

Rock Painting

Sparkly Winter Snowflakes

PPLD Celebrates Arts Month

PPLD Celebrates Winter Holidays

Painting is a way of being creative by expressing yourself with art. Use any of the suggested styles found in the Library Explorers Kit or create your own!

Make fun and creative snowflake patterns to adorn your winter holiday display. The Library Explorers Kit includes all the materials to make beautiful snowflakes.

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PROGRAMS FOR CREATIVE SERVICES

PROGRAMS FOR TEENS Learn more at ppld.org/teens

Learn more at ppld.org/create

Use the URL above or the QR code to learn more about Creative Services!

Clay Exploration

Pikes Peak Live!

Sept. 7 & 21 | Fairy Houses Oct. 5 & 19 | Fairy Gardens Nov. 2 & 16 | Holiday Ornaments

Sat., Oct. 14

Come to the Sand Creek Library Makerspace to experiment with clay! During these classes, you will first learn how to shape a project out of clay, and second how to glaze it. At the end of the month, you will take your finished creation home. Registration is required.

Repair Café Sat., Sept. 30 | 735 E Pikes Peak Ave. Sat., Oct. 28 | Library 21c

Toss it? No Way! Fix it at Repair Café! Together with our Repair Café volunteers and Pikes Peak Makerspace, you will disassemble, troubleshoot, and possibly repair your broken items. Save money, help the environment, and learn repair skills with your local community. In September, Pikes Peak Makerspace will be providing a specialty repair station.

Story Project Fri., Sept. 8 | Stories from America's Mountain

For years this regional favorite has showcased the storytellers of the Pikes Peak region. This will be the first Story Project since 2019. This project’s theme presents stories from Pikes Peak - America's Mountain, and will feature four local storytellers who will regale the public with their tales of the mountain. Presenters include Larry Cesspooch (Utah local and traditional Ute Storyteller), as well as Pikes Peak region locals Kat Tudor and Andrew Rudin with host Don Goede.

Fri., Dec. 8 | Relatives of Art Royalty

Pikes Peak Live! is an all-day event starting with performing arts workshops. Participants of Pikes Peak Live! can choose to attend either poetry, music, or comedy workshops and come together for the performance workshop where they’ll learn some tips and tricks for performing on stage. The day will conclude with a talent showcase where participants can take part and test the water by performing in front of an audience.

Workshops are open to the public at no cost; however, spots are limited to 10 people per workshop. Registration will open in September.

Pikes Peak Poet Laureate Global Poetry Experience September | Manitou Springs Library

Experience poetry and writing like never before through an immersive virtual experience in “Sojourner”, Colorado Springs’ local portal. Seek truth, poetry, and fun by connecting to poets across the globe through the life-sized video screen projected at the end of a large shipping container. In addition to the portal hosting a schedule of various activities each week, PPLD will hold weekly writing workshops led by the Poet Laureate of the Pikes Peak Region and opportunities for conversation and performance in the portal. Step into adventure and write!

These programs are for ages 12 - 18 unless otherwise noted.

Use the QR code or the URL above to learn more!

Banned Books Scavenger Hunt Race against your peers and the clock as you try to solve clues about banned books! For ages 12 - 18.

Homeschool Science: Introduction to Machine Learning How does Artificial Intelligence become, well, intelligent? In this introductory session, you'll find out how machines learn as well as use Teachable Machine by Google to create your own machine learning model.

Life-sized Among Us Do you love to play Among Us, the ultimate game of teamwork and betrayal? Have you ever tried playing in real life? Come to your Library to give it a try!

Your objectives remain simple: Crewmates - complete tasks, avoid the Imposter, and stay alive until the timer runs out!

Imposter - disguise yourself and find the Crewmates to go on an elimination spree!

We encourage you to wear your favorite color, a fun hat, or spacesuit costume if you like! Ages 12 - 18.

Learn to Sew: Handsewn Cactus Pillow Make an adorable, prickly, felt cactus pillow and learn basic hand sewing skills and techniques! For ages 12 - 18.

Rock the Vote: Rock Painting The League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region (LWVPPR) presents Rock the Vote: Rock Painting! This 45-minute presentation includes an ageappropriate, interactive discussion about the Constitution and Bill of Rights and a fun activity for all - painting GET OUT THE VOTE rocks! All supplies will be provided by LWVPPR, so all that’s needed is you. Join us for a fun, educational time at your local library where we love bringing people together!

Math Tutoring

Yule Ball Sat., Dec. 16 | 2 - 4 p.m.

The Hall at PPLD

Witches, wizards, and all other magical beings are invited to attend the 6th Annual Yule Ball! Get sorted into your Hogwarts House, participate in magical activities, mingle with fellow fans, and dance the afternoon away.

Costumes and cosplay are encouraged.

All ages and magical beings (or nonmagical) are welcome.

No appointments necessary Just drop in! We will not offer math tutoring during holidays or Library weather closures.

Red Cross Babysitting As the nation's leader in babysitting classes and childcare training, the American Red Cross can help you become a capable, confident babysitter that families trust. Topics covered range from childcare to entrepreneurship and workforce readiness.

Hosts Don Goede and Jeremiah Walter will help weave together a tapestry of stories as we hear the community’s unusual, riveting, and interesting tales about their wellknown artist relatives.

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PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN Learn more at ppld.org/kids

Use the URL above or the QR code to learn more about Family & Children's Services opportunities!

Programs for ages 5 - 12

Tween

KidsMAKE: Wooden Sculptures

Spooky Stories and S’Mores

Combine simple construction and art play to create one-of-a-kind scrap wood sculptures!

Participants may choose to wear cut-resistant gloves and sand unfinished wood. Children must be accompanied by a hands-on and attentive adult. Please arrive at the start time; late arrivals who miss the safety briefing will not be permitted. For ages 5 - 12.

Registration required.

STEAM: LEGO Engineering: Car Racers and Epic Marble Runs Learn about the engineering process and Newton’s three Laws of Motion as you build and race LEGO cars. Adapt your car for greater speed and aerodynamics, and then race again. You can also create an epic marble run.

STEAM: Starry Night Inspired Art Celebrate how humans view the stars by creating artwork inspired

by Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night and Alma Thomas’ Starry Night and the Astronauts. You’ll also learn a bit about both artists and their contributions.

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Ready for some spooky fun? Gather around the “campfire” and experience the thrill of spine-tingling stories and more! Grab a friend and bring your favorite scary story to share. Complete your camping adventure by making tasty s’mores and a fun memento.

For a comfy time, bring a blanket or sleeping bag to lay on the floor. Did we mention there will be s’mores?

For ages 9 - 12.

Junior Advisory Board (JAB) 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 session will include time for you to give ideas and feedback and time for a fun project or activity. For ages 9 - 12.

Registration Required.

Dungeons and Dragons Club Play D&D with other tweens, led by our very own Dragon Masters!

New members are always welcome and no experience is required.

Registration required at some locations. For ages 9 - 12.

Paws to Read Practice reading aloud and improve your fluency by sharing a story with one of our lovable Paws to Read therapy dogs.

Educational Resource Center (ERC) Make-AMasterpiece

Homeschool

Apples to Apples

Homeschool Science: The Magic of Science All Around Us

Create a series of tempting fall apples inspired by a variety of artists, from the Renaissance to modern day. Apply a variety of techniques to inspire creativity in each apple version of your own delicious masterpieces!

Wenzel Hablik's Universe Create a universe masterpiece inspired by the art of Wenzil Hablik and his Expressionistic style. Use chalk pastels, paint, intriguing painted papers, and a gold accent board to design a universe of your own.

Questions? Call Joy (719) 531-6333, x6048 or email jfleishhacker@ppld.org.

Join Stacey Lazzelle from the Department of Research at the United States Air Force Academy to take a look at some of the fascinating science concepts that affect our everyday lives and learn why magic is science we do not understand... yet! These fantastic physics, biology, chemistry, and math-related demonstrations will be sure to educate and entertain because the sciences are amazing! For ages 6 - 12.

Indigenous Woodlands Style Animals

Homeschool: ERC Explore: Coding and Robotics

Explore Indigenous Canadian culture through its contemporary Woodlands School style of art. Use bold lines, bright colors, simple designs, and imagination to create a masterpiece!

Experience this fun, on-the-road version of PPLD’s Educational Resource Center (ERC) at a Library near you! Kids and their parents are invited to spend an hour together, playfully exploring and discovering the mysteries of coding and robotics through interaction with a variety of engaging items from the ERC collection.

Whale Watch!

Inspired by Winslow Homer's moody seascape paintings, you'll paint, print, and collage your way to an underwater scene filled with powerful whales, shimmering fish, and an element of SURPRISE!

Homeschool Hangout Are you interested in meeting new people, having new experiences, and networking with other homeschool families in the community? If the answer is yes, we invite you to hang out with us. Enjoy games and activities while spending time with friends — old and new!

Homeschool: Whatever Happened to Humpty Dumpty?

Everyone knows that Humpty Dumpty took a great fall but what happened next? Homeschoolers will explore Dan Santat’s picture book, After the Fall, cracking the shell of the story with a variety of engaging activities that touch upon STEM concepts and more!

Homeschool Science: Be Ready for the Eclipses!

Amazing things are happening in our sky! Presented by a NASA-certified Eclipse Ambassador, this program will prepare families for safe viewing of the solar eclipses on Sat., Oct. 14, 2023 and Mon., April 8, 2024.

We will explore why and how eclipses occur through pictures, videos, and hands-on demonstrations. One pair of eclipse-safe “sunglasses” will be provided to each family while supplies last, but many other techniques for watching the eclipse will be shown. If the clouds cooperate, we will try them all out for practice!

For K - 6.

Homeschool Science: Creatures of the Night Nocturnal and crepuscular animals have different features and behaviors that allow them to be active at night. Join Nature’s Educators to learn about —and meet— real, live creatures of the night. Be sure to come with your camera and inquiring mind! For K - 6.

Homeschool: Science Fair Made Simple Are you ready to up your science fair game? This interactive workshop will help students work through the steps of turning a general idea into a science project from topic selection, to formulating a testable question or design goal, to collecting data to analyze. Get a jump on planning for the Homeschool Science Fair (in February)!

This workshop is presented by the Pikes Peak Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Ages 7 and up. Registration required.

Homeschool Book Blast Tell the world about your favorite book! Prepare a creative book report at home and present it (informally) to other families. You can make a diorama, design a game based on the plot and characters, or make a poster for the movie version. You can create a book in a bag, make a clothes hanger mobile, or retell the story in comic book format. The possibilities are endless! Projects will be presented in a science fair type format. For grades K - 8.

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Calhan Library 600 Bank St., Calhan, CO 80808 (719) 531-6333, x7013

Monument Library 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr., Monument, CO 80132 (719) 531-6333, x7005

Cheyenne Mountain Library 1785 S. 8th St. #100, Colo. Spgs., CO 80905 (719) 531-6333, x7001

Old Colorado City Library 2418 W. Pikes Peak Ave., Colo. Spgs., CO 80904 (719) 531-6333, x7006

East Library 5550 N. Union Blvd., Colo. Spgs., CO 80918 (719) 531-6333, x7014

Palmer Lake Library 66 Lower Glenway St., Palmer Lake, CO 80133 (719) 531-6333, x7007

Fountain Library 230 S. Main St., Fountain, CO 80817 (719) 531-6333, x7002

Penrose Library 20 N. Cascade Ave., Colo. Spgs., CO 80903 (719) 531-6333, x7015

High Prairie Library 7035 Old Meridian Rd., Peyton, CO 80831 (719) 531-6333, x7003

Rockrimmon Library 832 Village Center Dr., Colo. Spgs., CO 80919 (719) 531-6333, x7008

The Hall at PPLD 20 W. Pikes Peak Ave., Colo. Spgs., CO 80903 (719) 531-6333, x6142

Ruth Holley Library 685 N. Murray Blvd., Colo. Spgs., CO 80915 (719) 531-6333, x7009

Library 21c 1175 Chapel Hills Dr., Colo. Spgs., CO 80920 (719) 531-6333, x7012

Sand Creek Library 1821 S. Academy Blvd., Colo. Spgs., CO 80916 (719) 531-6333, x7018

Manitou Springs Library 515 Manitou Ave., Manitou Spgs., CO 80829 (719) 531-6333, x7004

Ute Pass Library 8010 Severy Rd., Cascade, CO 80809 (719) 531-6333, x7011

Mobile Library Services (719) 531-6333, x7702

Pikes Peak Library District Discovery Fall 2023 | Volume 5 | Issue 4 Executive and Managing Editor Denise M. Abbott Proofing/Editing Carla Bamesberger, Jeremiah Walter, Jennifer Flatland, and Kim Melchor Graphic Designer Alyssa Scaduto Photography James Krebs Pikes Peak Library District Board of Trustees President Aaron Salt Vice President Dora Gonzales Secretary/Treasurer Erin Bents Debbie English Julie Smyth Dr. Ned C. Stoll Scott Taylor

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Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) provides everyone with access to resources and opportunities so people can thrive and connect.

The Library cultivates spaces for belonging, personal growth, and strong communities via 16 facilities, mobile library services, and a large online hub of resources. It is an internationally recognized system of public libraries serving a population of nearly 700,000 across 2,070 square miles in El Paso County, Colorado.

Learn more at ppld.org