Library happenings in March 2023

The Story Project, Women’s History Month, Patrons of Influence, the 16th Annual Teen Art Show Award Ceremony, and photo digitization project underway 

  
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: 

The Story Project 

District-wide event 

Fri., March 10 from 7 – 9 p.m. 

The Hall at PPLD (formerly known as Knights of Columbus Hall)

More info: ppld.librarymarket.com/story-project  

Pikes Peak Library District is partnering with the Smokebrush Foundation for the Arts to bring back a popular program: The Story Project. For years this regional favorite has showcased the storytellers of the Pikes Peak region. On March 10 at Knights of Columbus Hall, the Library will host the first Story Project since 2019, featuring four storytellers who will regale the public with their tales of Pikes Peak, also known as Tava, Sun Mountain, and America's Mountain. Featured presenters include Larry Cesspooch (Utah local and traditional Ute Storyteller), as well as Pikes Peak region locals Kat Tudor (the visionary behind SunWater Spa, SunMountain Center, and the Smokebrush Foundation for the Arts), Andrew Rudin (former outdoor guide and current local handyman), and Cyndi Parr (the program director and co-founder for Dragon Theatre Productions). 

Women’s History Month 

District-wide initiative  

More info: ppld.org/womens-history-month 

March is Women’s History Month, honoring the contributions of women in the United States now and throughout history, and recognizing the achievements of women in a variety of fields. The Library is celebrating with special programming, book displays, reading lists, and more. Find resources and information on the website.  

Sat., March 11 at 11 a.m. at Penrose Library, and 2 p.m. at Library 21c  
Join the Library for Legendary Ladies Making History Come Alive! and enjoy an entertaining presentation that brings the history of the West to life. 

Wed., March 15 at 10 a.m. at East Library 
Catch the Patrons of Influence: Women’s History Month Panel and hear from women providing positive influences in the areas of culture, business, and leadership in El Paso County . 

Patrons of Influence 

District-wide event or other key details 

Wed., March 15 from 10 – 11 a.m. 

East Library 

More info: ppld.librarymarket.com/patrons-influence-womens-history-month-panel  

PPLD’s popular Women of Influence program has expanded to include remarkable patrons in the Pikes Peak region with the first Patrons of Influence event on Wed., March 15 in celebration of Women’s History Month. The Library and Sixty35 Media (formally Colorado Springs Business Journal) celebrate community members that are providing positive influences in the areas of culture, business, and leadership in El Paso County. These local leaders will discuss their shared interest and experience on how gender diversity and inclusion strengthen organizations and communities. Panelists include: Forensic Pathologist Dr. Joye M. Carter; Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence founder Kristen Faith; Chief Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer for the Colorado Department of Human Services Sandy Ho, PhD; and Director of Development at UCCS Zuleika Johnson. A Q&A session will follow the panel discussion. This event can be attended in-person or virtually via the Livestream.  

16th Annual Teen Art Contest Award Ceremony 

District-wide event  

Tue., March 21 at 6 p.m. 

East Library 

More info: ppld.librarymarket.com/teen-art-contest-award-ceremony-2 

Awards for the 16th Annual Teen Art Contest will be announced at an awards ceremony at East Library on Tue., March 21. El Paso County teens were invited to submit two-dimensional art inspired by this year’s theme, “memory,” and entries were judged by local teens and Library staff. Award categories include: First Place, Second Place, and Coordinator's Choice for Middle School; First Place, Second Place, and Coordinator's Choice for High School; and one overall Best in Show. All entries accepted into the show will be displayed at East Library throughout April.  

Stewarts Commercial Aerial Digitization Project 

District-wide initiative 

Regional History and Genealogy 

View the collection: cdm15981.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15981coll13 

In August 2023, Pikes Peak Library District earned an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant to digitize the Stewarts Commercial Photographers aerial collection. This collection contains one of the most comprehensive visual records of the Pikes Peak region in the twentieth century. Extending over a period of five decades, the collection contains images of Colorado Springs, the Cripple Creek Mining District, Manitou Springs, and other communities in the Pikes Peak region. The Stewarts Commercial Photographers documented the rapid growth of Colorado Springs from quiet tourist destination to bustling military enclave from the air.  

The digitization project focuses on the collection’s aerial photographic 6,800 negatives spanning 1952 to 1995. By the end of the one and half year project 6,800 negatives will be accessible to anyone around the world on PPLD Digital Collections in the Stewart Brothers Commercial Photographers Collection. As progress is made, staff will upload digitized negatives. The Library will be adding photos to the website as they are digitized, so check back often to see newly digitized images of our region.