Contact:   

Carla Bamesberger, PR & Marketing Manager 

(719) 412-2646 | cabamesberger@ppld.org  

Amy Gillentine, Director of PR, Marketing, & Promotions 

(719) 482-5422 | agillentine@ppld.org  
 
LIBRARY HAPPENINGS IN OCTOBER 

Two highly anticipated author talks for annual community reading program, haunting Pikes Peak region history comes to life, a seasonal outdoor reading experience for kids, and major system upgrades come to the Library 


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) presents many options to engage people of all ages and interests across El Paso County. Here are some upcoming opportunities this month: 

Anticipated Talks with Authors Selected for All Pikes Peak Reads Community Reading Program 

Annual program; Community interest; All ages 

All PPLD locations

The first two author visits in Pikes Peak Library District’s (PPLD) popular All Pikes Peak Reads series take place this October. The highly anticipated events will be online and feature live discussions with the authors followed by audience Q&A sessions. 

Rosemary Mosco, author of the picture book Butterflies are Pretty...Gross! will host an online author visit on Wed., Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. Her book examines parts of butterfly life that might be unknown to many people and makes information about butterflies engaging for young readers. 

Mary Roach, author of the adult selection Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law, will host an online author visit on Sat., Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. Her book recounts the stories of human-wildlife conflict and what these interactions teach us about coexisting with nature in our shared modern habitat. 

This year, the Library District has once again chosen one book for each age group as it has in the past. The four selections include: 

  • Fuzz by Mary Roach (adult) 
  • Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves by Meg Long (teen) 
  • Little Monarchs by Jonathan Case (juvenile) 
  • Butterflies Are Pretty...Gross! By Rosemary Mosco (juvenile) 

All Pikes Peak Reads provides residents with an opportunity to feel connected with their community by reading the same book together. The annual program focuses on celebrating literature, improving community connections, and fostering dialogue across social, cultural, and generational lines. Each year, PPLD selects titles that focus on timely topics and plans a variety of community-wide programs and activities to pair with the books. This year’s titles all relate to nature. 

The Library District will also host visits with two more All Pikes Peak Reads authors in November. 

Information about the visits with each of the authors, as well as supplemental programs related to this year’s nature theme, can be found on the Library’s website at ppld.org/appr 

Tours Through Haunting History Return to the Pikes Peak Region During Spooky Stacks 

Seasonal fun; Community interest; Regional history 

Mon., Oct. 27 and Tue., Oct. 28 starting at 5:30 p.m. 

Penrose Library (20 N. Cascade Ave.) 

More info: tiny.ppld.org/spooky-stacks 

The annual Spooky Stacks program immerses participants in haunting stories from Pikes Peak region history. This year’s program will delve into famous deaths in the region as participants explore the Regional History & Genealogy department at Penrose Library, which is decorated to bring the stories to life. Staff storytellers dressed in historic attire will lead tours on Mon., Oct. 27 and Tue., Oct. 28 starting at 5:30 p.m. Registration is required.

Families Enjoy Seasonal Outdoor Fun with a Picture Book Scavenger Hunt 

Seasonal family fun; Community interest; Family activities;  

Oct. 1 – 31 

Old Colorado City Library (2418 W. Pikes Peak Ave.) 

More info: ppld.org/Stroll-a-Story 

Each year, Old Colorado City Library brings seasonal outdoor fun to families with its Spooky Stroll-a-Story. The pages of a Halloween-themed picture book are posted at nearby businesses in Old Colorado City. Readers start at the Library, follow a map to discover each new page, and can get a sweet treat if they go inside the business where they find a page. This year’s book is The Baddies by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Families and caregivers can experience this playful reading experience from Oct. 1 – 31. 

 

 

Pikes Peak Library District Announces Major Upgrade to Patron Experience Software 

Community interest; Technology 

Districtwide upgrade 

More info: ppld.org/ils-migration  

 

Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) is improving patron experiences and updating its operating system for the first time in 24 years. 

The Library District is changing its Integrated Library System, the operating system that allows patrons to check out books, reserve and renew items, and manage their Library experience. The new system, called Polaris, was chosen earlier this year after an extensive search process. 

Once the Integrated Library System is fully implemented in early December, patrons will enjoy new features such as reading histories, saved searches, auto-complete search bars, suggested reads, and all available material formats at their fingertips.  The improved ILS also includes clickable author biographies. 

The updates will come with minor disruptions in services for a 10-day period in late November-early December during which patrons will not be able to place holds on materials, access the catalog, or use the PPLD app.  

After the upgrade is finished, all PPLD locations will close for two days in early to mid-December to allow Library staff to test the improvements and prepare to help patrons navigate the improved system.