Library happenings in January 2023

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day presentation, discount weekend at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, relaunch of Library Explorers, LENA Start, and former sheriff keynote speaker for Friends of PPLD 

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: 

Little Rock Nine student Carlotta Walls LaNier celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day at PPLD. 

District-wide event 

Tue., Jan. 17 from 10 a.m. - noon  

Library 21c Venue 

More info: tinyurl.com/Carlotta-Walls-LaNier 

Pikes Peak Library District will host Carlotta Walls LaNier, the youngest of the Little Rock Nine, as she presents her journey as one of the first students to integrate an all-white school in Little Rock, Ark. in 1957. Mrs. LaNier will share her story and introduce her new book, A Mighty Long Way, My Journey to Justice, at Little Rock Central High. The event will be in-person and offered as a livestream presentation. 

Discount weekend at the Olympic & Paralympic Museum 

$10 admission to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic museum for PPLD library cardholders 

When: Sat., Jan. 28 - Sun., Jan. 29 

Pikes Peak Library District and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum have teamed up to offer a discount weekend at the museum for Pikes Peak Library District library cardholders on Sat., Jan. 28 - Sun., Jan. 29. All card holders will receive $10 admission to the museum on those days when presenting their library card. PPLD will be on-site to register people for library cards and will present a special storytime on Saturday morning.  

Library Explorers relaunch 

District-wide program 

Mon., Jan. 9 from 9 - 11 a.m. 

Library 21c 

More info: ppld.org/library-explorers 

Pikes Peak Library District is relaunching its Library Explorers program. It provides adults with physical and developmental disabilities opportunities to use the Library’s spaces, resources, and services in the ways that are the most enjoyable and accessible for their individual needs.  

Library Explorers provides programs, presentations, and activity kits in several locations throughout the year. The program’s activity kits are available for in-library use and include a variety of games, puzzles, sensory items, ADA-accessible tables, large print and braille books, coloring and art supplies, as well as educational and seasonal creative activities. 

New session starting for LENA Start 

District-wide program 

Classes run from Tue., Jan 10 - Tue., March 7 

More info: ppld.org/LENAStart 

A new session of PPLD’s LENA Start program is beginning at the Library. This 8-week program helps parents with children 0 - 32 months foster back-and-forth talk to help increase a child’s vocabulary. Weekly virtual sessions combine videos and group discussion to build knowledge and skills that parents can put into practice with their children. 

Former El Paso County Sheriff will be keynote speaker at Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District’s annual meeting 

Friends of PPLD’s Annual Meeting 

Sat., Jan. 14 at 10 a.m.  

Library 21c 

For more information, call (719) 531-6333, x1461 

Former El Paso County Sheriff John Anderson will be the keynote speaker when the Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District holds its annual meeting on Sat., Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. at Library 21c. 

Anderson will discuss his second career as a writer. His books will be available for purchase at the event, and he will sign copies after his presentation. Reservations are not required, and the public is invited to attend free of charge. The event will include a short business meeting.  

NOTE: This event is sponsored by the Friends of PPLD, not the Library itself. Friends is a separate, nonprofit that supports the Library District.