What's New!

May 2024 update:

The hours are expanding at Sand Creek and Ruth Holley libraries starting Tue., May 28. The new hours will be: 

Sand Creek Library 

• Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Friday – Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed 

Ruth Holley Library 

• Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Friday – Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed 

Start original message (posted February 2024): 

Pikes Peak Library District is expanding service hours at several libraries starting on Fri., March 1. Hours are determined by multiple factors, including community need and staffing availability. After careful evaluation, we determined that the open hours at Cheyenne Mountain, Manitou Springs, Monument, Old Colorado City, Ruth Holley, and Ute Pass libraries should be expanded.  

As part of the hours extension, Cheyenne Mountain Library, Monument Library, and Old Colorado City Library have an additional open day in their weekly schedules.  

Here are our new hours at each location: 

Cheyenne Mountain Library

• Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed 

Manitou Springs Library

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday – Thursday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed 

Monument Library

• Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed 

Old Colorado City Library

• Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed 

Ruth Holley Library

• Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Ute Pass Library

• Monday: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., 2 – 6 p.m. (closed for lunch from 1 – 2 p.m.)
• Tuesday and Wednesday: Closed
• Thursday: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., 2 – 6 p.m. (closed for lunch from 1 – 2 p.m.)
• Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., 2 – 5 p.m. (closed for lunch from 1 – 2 p.m.) 

On Mon., April 8, a solar eclipse will be partially visible from Colorado Springs. To help you get ready, the Library is teaming up with the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society to provide learning opportunities this February and March. Beginning on Fri., March 1, solar eclipse viewing glasses will be available at the following programs and will also be available for pick up from any Library location (while supplies last, limit 2 pairs per family).

Programs are for all ages. No registration required. 

Events

The Great American Solar Eclipse in April 2024 

• Wed., Feb. 21 from 1 – 2:30 p.m. – Calendar
  Rockrimmon Library
• Mon., March 4 at 6 p.m. – Calendar
  East Library

Mobile Libraries, hosted at Black Forest Community Church 

• Sat., March 9 | 1:30 p.m. – Calendar

  This talk will discuss the historical and modern cultural context of the solar eclipse in society, what solar eclipses are, the basic science of why eclipses occur, and where to see one of these exciting celestial events. We will also demonstrate safe observing practices using common household objects. The Colorado Springs Astronomical Society will have 100 solar eclipse viewers to hand out at the conclusion of this presentation.

  **Weather permitting, we will also have solar telescopes set up to provide safe, amazing views of the Sun on March 9. 

Viewing Party with PPLD

• Mon., Apr. 8, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. – Calendar     
  Calhan, East, and Rockrimmon libraries 

  Join the Pikes Peak Library District as we view the Great American Eclipse from the beauty of the Calhan, East, and Rockrimmon Library outdoor spaces! We will have games and activities throughout the morning and a limited number of eclipse viewing glasses to give away. Light refreshments will be served just behind East Library.  

  Bring your viewing glasses and join us as we experience the solar eclipse together! 

  ---

Resources

• Eclipse America 2024
  Explore the information and resources provided by the American Astronomical Society.
   
• How to View a Solar Eclipse Safely
  Learn how to safely view solar eclipses with information provided by the American Astronomical Society. 
   
• Download the How to Safely View the October 14, 2023 Annular Eclipse guide here
   
• Eclipse Simulator
  Search for a city to see detailed eclipse path information and see what time it will pass over Colorado Springs and how it will look when it passes over. 
   
• Colorado Springs Astronomical Society
  Find out more about our local Colorado Springs Astronomical Society, including exciting astronomical events happening in Colorado Springs. 
   
• The 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipses: Map and Data, from NASA 

Colorado Springs Astronomical Society

Food industry careers are rewarding and challenging but can be difficult to break into without prior experience or training. Pikes Peak Library District offers Food Industry Training that is perfect for anyone wanting to enter the food industry or advance their career. We offer this training multiple times per year. Registration is currently open for the next session that runs from March 25 - April 26.

The Food Industry Training is a five-week training program at the Library that teaches participants the entry-level skills they need to find or advance in employment as a qualified prep cook or line cook. The program helps them learn basic culinary fundamentals, practice professionalism, explore career opportunities in the culinary industry, and earn their ServSafe Food Handler certification.  

Participants learn proper food handling, recipe reading, product identification, team building in a food industry setting, cooking methods and techniques, and other essential skills.  

No prior experience is necessary, and there is no cost to participate. Participants must be eligible to work in the U.S., be able to attend the scheduled classes, be pursuing a career in the culinary industry, and be age 18 or older. Applications for this session close on Thu., March 7.