Community Engagement
Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) is dedicated to fostering belonging and strengthening community connections. Through partnerships with local businesses and organizations, we enhance offerings to support community needs. Our outreach aims to meet people where they are, sharing how PPLD can create a vibrant community.
Section on this page:
Outreach
Our outreach efforts promote belonging, personal growth, and strong communities by creating connections, sharing resources, and encouraging collaboration. We tailor information to meet community needs and interests.
Types of Outreach
PPLD participates in a variety of outreach activities, such as community events, festivals, expos, and engaging with local schools through book talks and presentations for students and faculty. Library staff may also serve as speakers at luncheons and meetings. When evaluating outreach opportunities, PPLD considers:
- Alignment with the Library’s mission and goals
- Opportunity to increase Library visibility and promote resources
- Non-commercial focus without product/service solicitation
- Accessibility for all patrons, regardless of age, race, religion, beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, or political affiliation
Multicultural Outreach
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, Colorado.
Multicultural Outreach & Accessibility (MCOA) focuses on several areas for our PPLD staff and El Paso County patrons. The MCOA office is based at Library 21c and serves people throughout the district and at local community events for outreach and multicultural community engagement.
MCOA also encompasses the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II and provides support for Library Explorers, Library Adventurers, and the Older Adults 55+ program area.
See our guides on Multicultural Outreach & Accessibility and Disability Resources for more Information.
Accessibility Resources:
We also assess the type of outreach, staff availability, attendance, costs, fees, and target audience. To request PPLD's participation in an event, contact the Community Engagement Coordinator at engage@ppld.org and submit supporting documents at least three weeks prior to planned activity.
Partnerships
Pikes Peak Library District’s contributions to the community are expanded and enriched through collaboration and community partners for the broadest range of educational, cultural, social, and economic resources and programs. PPLD encourages strategic community partnerships with organizations with a shared interest to work collaboratively together toward a common goal. Partnerships must support the Library’s mission and strategic goals, as well as meet the needs of the community.
If interested in partnering with PPLD, please submit a completed Community Partnership Request Form with supporting documents to Engage@ppld.org at least six weeks before the proposed date. Only organizations compatible with PPLD’s mission, goals, and policies will be considered based on staff and resource availability.
To submit a request to provide classes or programming please complete a Presenter Application Form.
Types of Partnerships
PPLD partners with various organizations for programming, events, and collaborative projects. Partnership considerations include:
- Alignment with the Library’s mission and goals
- Promotion of community and Library resources
- Increased Library exposure and community engagement
- Meeting community needs and interests
- Enhancing Library collections, programs, or offerings
- Educational, creative, and mutually beneficial aspects
- Non-commercial in nature and inclusive to all patrons regardless of age, race, religion, familial beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, or political affiliation
- Located within El Paso County