Library Happenings in March 2024

Expanded library hours, Spring Break programs for kids, the Library receives Cigna award for employee well-being and engagement program, and award ceremony for teen art contest

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 Library District responds to community need with expanded hours at select locations

Hours expansions at select locations

Community support

More info: Ppld.org/Hours-Changes

Pikes Peak Library District is expanding service hours at multiple Library locations starting on Fri., March 1. Library hours are determined using multiple factors, including community need and staffing availability. After recent evaluation, the Library District determined that it should expand the open hours at Cheyenne Mountain, Manitou Springs, Monument, Old Colorado City, Ruth Holley, and Ute Pass libraries. As part of the extension, Cheyenne Mountain, Monument, and Old Colorado City libraries will also be open an additional day during the week.

Memorable Spring Break learning experiences at the Library

Children’s programming

District-wide

More info: ppld.org/springbreak

Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) helps parents and guardians keep kids engaged over spring break with its annual offering of Spring Break Programs from March 25 – March 29. Children, tweens, and families can attend these programs to learn and get creative while school is not in session. Programs include: Bricks and Minifigs, where kids ages 3 – 12 will complete Lego building challenges run by Bricks and Minifigs; The Bark Bunch, where kids ages 2 – 12 will learn about safety around dogs while visiting with dogs from the National Mill Dog Rescue; Meet the Go Team, where kids ages 2 – 12 will meet the therapy dogs from The Go Team and learn about the roles service and therapy dogs play in people’s lives; and Who Ya Gonna Call?, where kids ages 2 – 12 will meet the local Ghostbusters and see their truck up close and personal.

The Library District receives 2023 Silver level Healthy Workforce designation from Cigna

2023 award

Workforce health

More info: Carla Bamesberger (719) 412-2646

Cigna Healthcare has selected Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) as a recipient of their 2023 Silver level Healthy Workforce Designation for demonstrating a strong commitment to improving the health and vitality of its employees through a workplace well-being program. Employee health is a priority at the Library District, which relies on every member of its staff to plan and run programming, assist patrons visiting Library locations, and support the El Paso County community it serves.

The Cigna Healthy Workforce Designation evaluates organizations based on the core components of their well-being program, including leadership and culture, program foundations and execution, policies and accommodations, and additional areas. Organizations recognized with this designation set the standard of excellence for organizational health and vitality. Cigna Healthcare awarded PPLD with the Silver level designation for having made good progress towards a healthy work culture by establishing and growing its employee well-being and engagement program.

Local teens honored at the 17th Annual Teen Art Contest Award Ceremony

Annual award ceremony

Tue., March 19 from 6 – 7 p.m.

East Library

More info: ppld.org/teenartcontest

Local teens will receive recognition and prizes for art that they submitted for the Library District’s 17th Annual Teen Art Contest during an awards ceremony on Tue., March 19 at 6 p.m. at East Library. The art contest supports teen creativity and engagement in the arts by challenging them to create 2D art based around a yearly theme for a chance to win prizes. This year’s theme is Balance. Award winners were selected by a panel of teen judges, with one award judged and selected by Library staff.

Students preparing for the SAT in April can find test prep services at the Library

Student resources

Thu., March 28 from 6 – 7 p.m.

Online

More info: tiny.ppld.org/SAT-2024

Educators and high school students preparing for this year’s SAT in April can attend an online SAT Strategy Session with teachers from the Princeton Review hosted by Pikes Peak Library District. The strategy session is scheduled for Thu., March 28 and will cover test strategies and access to free SAT practice tests. Students can also access SAT test prep books and Peterson’s Test Prep services using their PPLD library card.