Address:
1175 Chapel Hills Dr. - map it!
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Floor Plan
Phone: (719) 884-9800
Contact Us
Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday: 1 - 5 p.m.
Holiday Hours and Closures
Bus Routes: 39, 25
Library 21c operates a staffed bookstore in the lower floor during Library hours and is also the main headquarters of PPLD Friends.
Click here to learn more about the Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District.
This seminar by women and for women will be held on Thu., Oct. 6 at Library 21c, 1175 Chapel Hills Dr. The workshops will be from 1 - 4:30 p.m., followed by a networking reception from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Join us for an afternoon of inspiration and information with:
This event will include:
Tickets are $25. To purchase tickets online visit tiny.cc/womenwealthwisdom or mail a check made payable to the Penrose-St. Francis Health Foundation to: Penrose-St. Francis Health Foundation, 2222 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Proceeds from the event will go to the Penrose-St. Francis Health Foundation and the Pikes Peak Library District Foundation.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, 2016. PPLD encourages everyone to get out there and make your voice heard. East Library and Library 21c are both polling centers and drop-off locations.
Want more information? Visit our voting resources page!
Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read whatever we choose. It also serves as a reminder of how often that right has been infringed upon, both in the past and the present. By shining a light on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship, highlighting the value of free and open access to information.
Here are some reading lists. Our hope is that you find a book or books on these lists you'd like to read.
Visit the American Library Association for more information about Banned Books Week.
Colorado Maker Week is Oct. 7 - 15. Events will take place around the state to highlight the creativity and ingenuity in the maker movement. The week starts with the NoCo Mini Maker Faire in Loveland and ends with the Colorado Springs Mini Maker Faire at Library 21c.
PPLD is celebrating Colorado Maker Week with activities for all ages around the District. Check out our calendar for more information!
Looking for even more fun? This week also has the Colorado Springs Science Festival with activities all around town.
Join us for this free series of lectures presented by the UCCS Department of Philosophy.
All talks will take place on the first Monday of the month from 4:30 - 6 p.m. at the Venue @ Library 21c, 1175 Chapel Hills Dr.
PPLD's Artist in Residence for September and October 2016 is Deb Bartos, an oil painter who loves exploring the natural world and teaching students about color. She continues to develop her knowledge about how light and color work together, and is fascinated by the process.
She will be teaching classes throughout the District and hosting open studio hours at Library 21c.
How to Create the Illusion of Depth in Your Paintings
We will use a limited palette in acrylic paints to learn the skill of color mixing and how to create both depth and luminosity in your work. Warning-it may lead to wanting to paint even more! Registration required. Patron must be ages 16+.
Studio Hours at Library 21c
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information about this program.
Join PPLD as we help put the pub back in public libraries!
What to do:
No purchase necessary. Pint glasses are available while supplies last.
Special Thanks To:
Questions? Contact Heidi at hbuljung@ppld.org.
All Pikes Peak Reads (APPR) is an annual program in which we encourage readers from our area to read the same book. For teens, the 2016 selection is The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart. In this book, Frankie pulls many pranks in an effort to move her conservative private school forward. This supply drive for Urban Peak is not a prank, but is meant to help teens experiencing homelessness in our area. Urban Peak supplies basic needs and "intensive case management, health services, and education & employment support, which are all designed to empower each individual youth build toward self-sufficiency based on their own identified goals and needs."
E. Lockhart will be speaking on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. at Library 21c, 1175 Chapel Hills Dr. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Book signing to follow the presentation.
Please help by donating any of these items at all PPLD locations between Sept. 16 - Nov. 6.
**indicates greatest need
Thank you in advance for supporting Urban Peak!
Pikes Peak Library District’s annual community reads project, All Pikes Peak Reads (APPR), is celebrating its 15th year in 2016! Each year, PPLD selects at least three books that we encourage community members to read and discuss. This year, we have three fabulous selections and will be hosting the authors for each book as well as offering a variety of programming based on both the books and the theme.
Click here for a complete schedule of APPR programming.
The APPR theme for 2016 is STORIES. The human condition has always relied on stories. From the fables and teachings of our modern history to the stories related to us each day as the latest news, stories have impacted us all in different ways. Storytellers are everywhere. Stories are part of us.
Here are the three books we have chosen to focus on this year:
This is our adult selection, but may also be appropriate for teens. Hidden America offers the reader the chance to explore parts of American life that are rarely thought or talked about by society at large. This is a remarkable piece of non-fiction that is perfectly described on its cover: “From coal miners to cowboys, an extraordinary exploration of the unseen people who make this country work.”
Laskas will be speaking at Library 21c on Tue., Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. A book signing will follow. Books for purchase will be provided by Barnes & Noble.
The teen selection, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks follows a young boarding school student as she tries to break into the school’s all-male secret society. It was a Michael L. Printz honoree in 2009, and was a National Book Award finalist in 2008. E. Lockhart will be coming to Colorado Springs for a talk and a book signing that has been made possible by the Kirkpatrick Family Fund and the Pikes Peak Library District Foundation.
E. Lockhart’s author talk will be on Fri., Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. at Library 21c. A book signing will follow. Books for purchase will be provided by Barnes & Noble.
Finally, the children’s selection, called an “absorbing work of historical fiction” by School Library Journal, is Waiting for Augusta by Jessica Lawson. Set in the rural South in the early 1970s, the book tackles many important issues such as grief, racism, friendship, and of course, growing up.
We are very excited about this year’s selections, and we look forward to your participation in author visits and other APPR programming.
PPLD has an opening on its Board of Trustees. This position is a meaningful public service commitment for the community oriented individual.
A link to the Position Description and Application Form is located below.
Applications should be mailed to:
Pikes Peak Library District
Attention: Board Applications
PO Box 1579
Colorado Springs, CO 80901
Or emailed to shammond@ppld.org.
The deadline for receipt of applications is Tuesday, October 11 at noon.
Seven members serve on the our Board of Trustees. The term of office is five years; vacancies are filled for the remainder of the unexpired term. In order to encourage greater participation on the Board from the community, Board members may serve for no more than two terms regardless of the length of any unexpired term served.
Is math homework getting you down? Are finals freaking you out? Do you need to brush up before the ACT, SAT, GRE, or GED? Our experienced math tutors can help you improve your grades and take the stress out of math. Tutoring for all ages and levels.
Where: East Library
When: Thursdays, 4 - 6 p.m.
First session is Sept. 8, 2016
Where: High Prairie Library
When: Mondays, 5 - 7 p.m.
Where: Library 21c
When: Wednesdays, 3:30 - 6 p.m.
First session is Sept. 14, 2016.
Where: Monument Library
When: Mondays, 3:30 - 7 p.m.
First session is Sept. 12, 2016.
Where: Sand Creek Library
When: Saturdays, 10 a.m. - noon
Fall session starts Sept. 3, 2016.
No appointment necessary, just drop on in!
AfterMath won't take place during library or school holidays. If the school district closes because of snow or weather, AfterMath is cancelled.
E. Lockhart, author of The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks is coming to Pikes Peak Library District as part of our All Pikes Peak Reads program!
When: Fri., Nov. 4, 7 - 8 p.m. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.
Where: Library 21c
Book signing to follow!
E. Lockhart's visit is made possible by a generous grant from the Kirkpatrick Family Fund and Pikes Peak Library District's Foundation.
PPLD would like to wish all our students and parents a great school year. Here are some resources we offer to help with your studies:
And of course, you can always chat with a librarian by clicking the "Chat Now!" button, or email us at Ask a Librarian.
Good luck out there!
Professionals talk to teens about their careers and the ups and downs of getting where they are. Each presentation will be followed by a Q & A session. For ages 12 - 18.
Each session is held on the first Thursday of the month from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at Library 21c, 1175 Chapel Hills Dr. Registration is required.
For more information, call (719) 884-9800 x6353.
PPLD's Artist in Residence for August/September 2016 was Brian Looney.
"I learned to draw while sitting alone at the kitchen table. Art is about self-discovery, and there truly is no rule book. The more you do a thing, the more that thing develops, and everything you do along the way is unique. Excuse the play on words... I was born in 1985, and that was a kooky year. Albuquerque, NM is my hometown, and I moved to Colorado for the nature and the art. I haven't been disappointed. Additionally, I am a published poet and a yoyo artist. That last might fall under the 'geek' category, but you may view it all at brianlooney.com. I look forward to meeting you!" ~Brian Looney
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information about this program.
Shake those wiggles out and have some fun with music and movement activities and a story! Join us for a very special storytime involving music and movement, aimed at ages 2 and 3. Caregivers and children participate through movement to songs and rhymes. A fun one-on-one time with your child while fostering learning, coordination and a love of music.
Where: Cheyenne Mountain Library
When: Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m
Where: Library 21c
When: Wednesdays, 9:30, 10:15, and 11 a.m.
Where: Manitou Springs Library
When: 3rd Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.
Where: Old Colorado City Library
When: 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, 2 p.m.
Where: Penrose Library
When: Fridays, 10:30 a.m.
PPLD's Maker/Artist in residence for June and July of 2016 was Patricia Moore. Patricia has been making all kinds of crafts forever. She believes in the magic of arts/crafts bringing wholeness and joy into life. She has been teaching arts/crafts to children and adults since around 1985. Patricia believes in Expressive Art and has used that to help children in different programs such as CASA.. Polymer clay is the main medium that she works with finding its possibilities near endless. Patricia lives in beautiful Black Forest on five acres with her teenage sons and many delightful animals.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information about this program.
Pikes Peak Library District is proud to introduce our new website!
New ppld.org has the same basic layout of information as the old site, but with
Please take a few minutes to watch this short video about what our new website has to offer:
Please take some time to look around and contact us with any questions or comments.
Congratulations to the winners of our first All Pikes Peak Writes, PPLD's adult fiction writing contest. The victors were announced at Mountain of Authors on Saturday, April 23.
1st Place
“Sub-Zero” by Lizbeth Tarpy
1st place prizes include: year’s subscription to Writer’s Digest Magazine, copy of Writer’s Market 2016, and Livescribe 2GB Echo Smartpen
2nd Place
“Journey by Train” by Susan Eitemiller
2nd place prizes include: year’s subscription to Writer’s Digest Magazine and copy of Writer’s Market 2016
3rd Place
“Tea Party” by Heidi Balaraman
3rd place prizes include: year’s subscription to Writer’s Digest Magazine
As a California native and self-taught baker, current PPLD Artist in Residence Christine Yocum was introduced to baking at a young age by her father and grandmother. Imagine a former left tackle in college teaching his nine-year-old daughter the finer points of cookie-making. Those sweet moments birthed in her a lifelong passion for baking—in particular cookies—and the eventual opening of Art & Style Baking, an online gourmet cookie company specializing in hand-painted cookies.
Even now, when her hands are steeped in cookie dough, she can sense his tender nod of encouragement and approval. While her dad passed away before he could enjoy "the fruits of his labor," her tender-hearted daughter assures her that he would be proud.
Christine will host classes throughout the Library District about cookie painting, as well as open studio hours at Library 21c where you can watch her work and talk to her about her art.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information.
The Teen Art Contest is for teens and by teens. Teens create the art, and teens determine the winners.
The theme for our 2016 Teen Art Show & Contest was Magnify It! Teens were encouraged to take a closer look at the world around them and create a piece of artwork.
All of the artwork will be displayed at either Penrose Library, East Library, or Library 21c during the month of April. Questions? Contact Becca Phillipsen at (719) 884-9800, x6336 or rphillipsen@ppld.org.
Here are the winners!
“My Converse Crush” by Ashley D. - Best in Show
“Rain Forest Creature” by Taya E. - 1st Place
“A Little Package of Joy” by Shauna P - 2nd Place
“Lou” by Arely A. - Coordinator’s Choice
“The Story in an Eye” by Stephanie L. - 1st Place
“Hidden in the Flowers” by Tiya G. - 2nd Place
“Butterfly Glory” by Asia X. - Coordinator’s Choice
You can view the winning works here:
PPLD's newest Artist in Residence is Diane Crawford, a contemporary artist with twenty years experience. Originally from the upper Midwest, she left careers in corrections, law enforcement and social work to pursue the arts. While primarily self-taught, she has attended watercolor workshops by nationally and internationally acclaimed artists. Diane has recently lived in Hawaii and Las Vegas, and her works reflect the influences of her life and experiences.
Her mediums of choice are watercolor and alcohol inks. Her painting style is unique. She paints free-hand without drawing her designs first and rarely uses paint brushes. She uses old credit cards and drinking straws on her alcohol inks, and a palette knife on her watercolors.
Diane will host classes throughout the Library District about alcohol inks, as well as open studio hours at Library 21c during which time you can watch her work and talk to her about her art.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information.
PPLD's newest Artist in Residence is Erin Gillespie, a multimedia artist currently residing in Colorado Springs. Her paintings are primarily figurative or portraits, full of bold, bright colors and expressionistic qualities. After receiving her Bachelors degree in Fine Arts and Painting from Colorado State University, Erin lived for many years in Portland, Oregon and Tucson, Arizona before returning to Colorado. She held positions at Pinon Fine Art Gallery and Terra Firma Fine Art in Denver, Colorado and was a member of the Arts Student League of Denver for many years. Erin is currently an art instructor teaching numerous classes at both Bemis School of Art at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center and Cottonwood Center for the Arts. Her work has been displayed in numerous galleries and venues, in both group and solo shows.
Erin hosted classes throughout the Library District about acrylic painting.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information.
PPLD's Maker in Residence for August and September 2015 is Daria Wilber. She was born in Washington, D.C. and spent the first two decades of her life in and out of the amazing array of galleries and museums in the D.C. area on a weekly basis. She studied painting and printmaking at the Maryland School of Art and Design and worked in the scene shop for a regional theater company. In the mid-2000s, Daria began to study the paper arts in earnest. In 2012 she plunged into studio papermaking after a sculptural papermaking intensive at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts with Jo Stealey. Daria currently works with papermaking and artist Helen Hiebert as a studio and teaching assistant.
During her time as Maker in Residence, Daria conducted flat paper making classes and a paper sculpture class.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information.
PPLD's Maker in Residence for June and July 2015 was Sarah Withee. She began folding paper as a child, and was introduced to modular origami by Makoto Yamaguchi’s book Kusudama (Origami Ornaments). Thus began a lifelong interest in Japanese paper arts. Sarah has lived in Japan and taken classes in advanced paperfolding and doll making at Tokyo’s Origami Kaikan, and has an extensive library of origami books.
Sarah is an experienced origami instructor who has worked with students from children to senior citizens. She has taught origami at the Japan America Society of Southern Colorado’s Children’s Day for over 10 years, as well as classes for Pikes Peak Library District and private classes. If you have tried learning origami from a book and failed, Sarah knows just how to help you get unstuck!
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information.
PPLD's Maker in Residence for October and November 2015 was Kristina Winnett, a self-taught mixed-media artist who has spent most of her life in Colorado Springs. Choosing to pursue studies in the Sciences in college, she longed to participate in artistic processes, yet felt that required a natural ability to draw. Having always been crafty, she found Art Journaling (the combination of Art and Words) in 2005. It was love at first site, because the first rule of Art Journaling is that there are no rules. This medium is such an easy and non-intimidating way to jump into the playfulness of creativity, that even a trained scientist could do it. She longs to share this passion with all who wish to create something personal and meaningful, yet have felt intimidated to begin.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information.
PPLD's Maker in Residence for May and June 2015 was Michelle Lim, a self-taught designer, animator, and maker of various things at the intersection of art and technology. She lives in Denver and is originally from Queens, NY. Education and community are essential to her work, which includes teaching creative technology in Denver public schools and designing digital programs at the Denver Art Museum. Inspired by her favorite short story — The Garden of Forking Paths by Jorge Luis Borges — she explored the many lives of infinitely complex patterns through video, sculpture, and interactive media during her residency and community workshops.
You can view the finished project at forking-paths.tumblr.com.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information.
Deb Ross was PPLD’s first Artist in Residence. She has enjoyed painting and drawing since she was a little girl. She still loves crayons! Deb has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Art Education from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania. Her artistic career has included both teaching and commercial art. A resident of Colorado Springs for over 30 years, Deb has taught at The Colorado Springs Senior Center, The Bemis School of Art at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, and Colorado Technical University.
Deb likes introducing beginners to creating art and inspiring more experienced artists to try new ideas. Creating art is the most fun you can have with a pencil or a paint brush!
Deb conducted Drawing for the Total Beginner and Letters into Art workshops for the public during her residency. She also painted acrylics and watercolors during her studio hours.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information.
Kim Hetherington was PPLD's Maker in Residence for January and February 2015 .
Her introduction to bookbinding was in the nonfiction section of the East Library. Kim was perusing the shelves and was more than thrilled to find a book on making books. Unfortunately, she was also a bit intimidated as the book explained historical bookbinding methods and listed costly pieces of equipment and tools. For a few years, she allowed this intimidation to keep me from trying my hand at it. Kim thought bookbinding required talent and equipment she did not possess. How wrong she was.
Books can be made simply with a few inexpensive materials, or they can be time-intensive pieces made with traditional bookbinding tools and equipment. A private class showed Kim how to create her first book with a handful of common tools and a few pieces of simple materials. She was hooked. Kim had the fortune of attending further bookbinding classes at Pikes Peak Community College, American Academy of Bookbinding, and with bookbinder Jim Croft. She also attend local classes and created books with and designed by Kylin Lee, Jill K. Berry, Carol Sloan, Marsh Sterling, and Pam Leutz.
While in residence, Kim taught classes about Japanese Bookbinding and Leather Journals.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information.
Patti Smithsonian was PPLD's Maker in Residence for February and March 2015. Her puppet shows portray ancient folktales using contemporary language and humor.
Her one-woman puppet theater has been featured at international festivals and venues including The Detroit Institute of Art, The Seattle Puppet Festival, New York International Busker Fest, Institut International de la Marionnette (France), The Santa Fe Sculpture Ranch, The
Telluride World Theater Festival, The San Francisco Puppetry Festival, and The Shilong Moon Festival (Taiwan).
Ms. Smithsonian has studied shadow puppetry in Turkey, Taiwan, and France. She uses laser cutters, acrylic plastics, alcohol inks, and high-powered projectors to create her shadow theater. She uses electronically projected light and shadow in creating light shows for theater, rock bands, and performance art — as well as narrative puppet plays.
While in residence, Ms. Smithsonian taught classes about Chinese Dragon Shadow Puppets and Modern Shadow Puppets: Animals.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information.
RoxAnne Krute began her creative journey at an early age. An affinity for playing with color, texture and composition has been an underlying influence in her continued exploration of various mediums throughout her life. In addition to collecting a variety of materials and tools needed for each creative venture, she has a fondness for aged and unusual objects, which she attributes to her grandmother’s influence.
This background, together with a formal education in fine art and graphic design, provides a “perfect storm” for art expressions using mixed media. She admits that even though this evolution in her art making is still in its infancy, the joy she experiences in the “play” of art-making is something she is passionate about sharing.
While in residence, RoxAnne taught Beginning Mixed Media Collage on Canvas classes.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information.
Purchasing a Library 21c courtyard paver is a great way to honor family and friends, commemorate memories and events, or to publicize your organization or business. Your purchase of a courtyard paver also contributes to PPLD's Tri-Building project, providing 21st Century Library service through innovative library spaces and technology for everyone in our community.
Commemorative pavers are now available at East Library!
Becca Cruz, manager of the Creative Computer Commons (C3) at Library 21c, was featured in an article about the benefits of 3D printing for students & entrepreneurs:
http://innovatorspeak.com/post/111501656903/3d-printing-opening-doors-fo...
3D printing is just one of the many services we offer at Pikes Peak Library District. Come visit us!
The Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance recognized Pikes Peak Library District for their Excellence in Community Infrastructure award.
"The Pikes Peak Library District proudly opened Library 21c this summer. It is the "launch pad" for 21st century library service and the first facility of its kind in the country. If you haven’t seen it yet, it will challenge everything you know about the public library. It’s not just a space, it’s a paradigm shift. Features include Makerspaces, Center for Public Media, Business & Entrepreneurial Center, a 400-seat Performance and Meeting Venue, and many additional services."
Click here to see all the 2014 Award Recipients for Pikes Peak Region.
Love playing board games? Want to try out new games each month and meet other teens interested in board games? Come to the Teen TableTop Gaming Club at Library 21c. We meet the first Friday of the month from 4 - 5:30 p.m. in the teen area. Each month we learn and play a different game (and sometimes get out old favorites as well!). Drop by and maybe you'll discover your new favorite game! For ages 12-18. Co-sponsored by Petrie's Family Games!
When: 1st Fridays, 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Where: Library 21c teen area
PPLD is pleased to offer Speak French, a conversation group for non-native speakers who wish to practice French. Some French language skills are recommended.
Where: East Library
When: 2nd Thursdays, 2 - 3 p.m.
Where: Library 21c
When: 2nd and 4th Sundays, 3 - 4 p.m.
Where: Penrose Library
When: Fridays, 12 - 1 p.m.
J'espère vous retrouver là!
From computer, meeting rooms, databases, and printing, to makerspaces, tutorials, and much more, all your business and entrepreneurial needs are met at Library 21c. And it's FREE! Watch this video for more information:
PPLD's Library 21c has been featured in two articles recently:
Library Journal - "The Library of the Century | Design4Impact"
The Gazette - "Colorado Springs library is ahead of the tech curve"
Indeed, "(Libraries) are becoming the vibrant centers of the community where everyone is welcome and there is something available for everyone."
PPLD is proud to announce that you can now print from wireless devices at Library 21c.
This service enables you to print virtually any document or web page from your Internet connected PC or device to our printer. There is no additional software required. Print jobs stay in the queue for up to 24 hours.
Just click here and follow the directions.
Can’t find the information you need? Have a research project? Pikes Peak Library District has a brand new program to help you.
Professional librarians at East, Library 21c, and Penrose Libraries are available to assist you with your information needs, whether you are looking for a great book to read, starting a business, or researching local history.
Research topics include, but are not limited to, finding materials for children or teens, locating health and wellness information, beginning legal research, and finding grant information for nonprofits. If you would like to learn how to search the library’s catalog or subscription databases more efficiently, we can help you with that too.
Begin by completing the online form on our website. From our home page (ppld.org), click on Research and select Book a Librarian. You can also locate the service by clicking on the dropdown arrow under "How do I?" on the left side of the home page and selecting Book a Librarian.
Fill out the form with your information, including your library card number. If your research request differs from the options provided, describe your question or research need in as much detail as possible.
We’ll look at your request and determine the best person on our staff to meet with you based on expertise and availability. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can to schedule your appointment. Appointments may be scheduled for up to one hour at either the East or Penrose Library.
The Book a Librarian service is open to any PPLD cardholder. We cannot offer advice (e.g., medical, legal, investment) except to advise users of reputable sources of evaluative information. Also, we cannot offer troubleshooting or maintenance help with personal computers or devices. However, computer classes are available at several PPLD locations.
For questions, you can contact PPLD by email, chat, phone, or in person at any of our locations.
By Delaina Massie, PPLD Librarian
