Amy Gillentine, Director of PR, Marketing & Promotions (719) 482-5422 | agillentine@ppld.org
Piper Vaughn, Social Media & PR Manager (719) 412-2646 | pvaughn@ppld.org
LIBRARY HAPPENINGS IN AUGUST
Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) is highlighting several upcoming events and happenings in August, including back-to-school resources for students and families; a call for exhibitors, creators, and inventors for All Pikes Peak Makes; a ribbon-cutting for the newest bookmobile; and Palmer Lake Library outdoor concert series.
PPLD Provides Back-to -School Help. PPLD is connecting students, families, and educators with free academic tools and services through its online back-to-school guide. Available resources include live online tutoring 24 hours a day, seven days a week; research databases for school projects; language-learning assistance; ACT and SAT preparation; college and career information; technology courses; and hands-on learning tools that help strengthen academic skills. All resources are available at no cost with a PPLD library card.
Students can also use public computers, meeting and study rooms, portable Wi-Fi hotspots, and up to $7 in free printing each week at PPLD locations. Homeschool families can visit PPLD’s Homeschool Hub at ppld.org/homeschool-hub for educational resources, information, and Library programs that support learning at home.
El Paso County educators, including homeschool educators, can access additional Library services. Educators may borrow classroom sets of books and apply for an Educator Card, which offers extended borrowing periods for Library materials. Learn more at ppld.org/educator-card. For more information and access to PPLD’s back-to-school guide, visit ppld.org/homework.
PPLD Seeks Presenters for All Pikes Peak Makes. Pikes Peak Library District is currently accepting applications from local makers, artists, creators, educators, and innovators interested in presenting at All Pikes Peak Makes. The community-wide celebration of creativity and hands-on learning will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Library 21c, 1175 Chapel Hills Drive. Individuals, organizations, clubs, and businesses, provide interactive exhibits, demonstrations, or maker activities are encouraged to apply. Applications and more information are available at ppld.org/APPM. Application entries close October 3.
Penrose Library Celebrates with Open House, Bookmobile Ribbon Cutting. Pikes Peak Library District will introduce Booksy, the newest addition to its mobile library fleet, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, at Penrose Library, located at 20 N. Cascade Ave. The ceremony is part of a Penrose Library open house from 3 to 5 p.m., featuring hands-on activities, scavenger hunts, prizes, and a pop-up makerspace. Come create a mural for the Penrose stairwell, dig for dinos, and register to win a gift card from Downtown Partnership! The open house is part of PPLD’s recognition of the United States’ 250th anniversary and Colorado’s 150th anniversary. For more information, visit ppld.org/open-house.
Palmer Lake Library's Concert Series to Begin in August. Palmer Lake Library will host its annual outdoor concert series on three Fridays in August from 6 – 7 p.m. The concerts will be held at the Palmer Lake Village Green and Gazebo, located next to Palmer Lake Library at 66 Lower Glenway Street. Attendees may bring lawn chairs and blankets. In the event of inclement weather, concerts may be relocated to Palmer Lake Town Hall or canceled.
The concert schedule is:
Friday, Aug. 14: Edie Carey
Friday, Aug. 21: Tender Foot Bluegrass
Friday, Aug. 28: Peak Big Band
Go to ppld.org/palmer-lake-lawn-concert for more.
Pikes Peak Library District Announces 2026 Pikes Peak Reads Selections. PPLD invites readers of all ages to participate in Pikes Peak Reads, a communitywide reading program featuring shared reading experiences, book discussions, and exclusive author visits. The 2026 lineup includes Woman of Light by Kali Fajardo-Anstine (Adult), I'll Be Waiting for You by Mariko Turk (Young Adult), Will's Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes (Juvenile) and Before I Lived Here by Stacy S. Jensen (Picture Book). Each author will participate in an in-person or virtual event that includes a discussion of their work and an audience question-and-answer session.
The Author Visits include:
• All Pikes Peak Reads Presents: Author Jewell Parker Rhodes: Sat., Sept. 12, 11 a.m., Zoom
• All Pikes Peak Reads Presents: Author Mariko Turk: Sat., Sept. 19, 11 a.m., Library 21c
• All Pikes Peak Reads Presents: Stacy S. Jensen: Author Visit and Storytime: Sat., Sept. 26, 11 a.m., Library 21c
• All Pikes Peak Reads Presents: Stacy S. Jensen: Author Visit and Writing Workshop: Sat., Sept. 26, 12:30 p.m., Library 21c • All Pikes Peak Reads Presents: Author Kali Farjardo-Anstine: Sat., Oct. 3, 11 a.m., at Library 21c
For more information go to ppld.org/appr.
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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 14 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, Colo. Learn more at ppld.org