Ses-qui-semi-quin-centennial Open House Celebrations
PPLD is joining the national – and statewide – celebration with open houses and an invitation to visit all 14 Library locations, Regional History & Genealogy, and our bookmobiles to win prizes, learn more about each branch, and celebrate as a community.
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Upcoming
Open House – Monument Library
Tue., Feb. 24 | 4 - 6 p.m.
Come meet Ruby, the Madagascar giant day gecko, and make a souvenir button of Ruby with our button maker at Monument Library. Feed the geese in Serenity Pond behind the library and make your own origami duck. Try your hand at a scavenger hunt with a chance to win a $75 gift card from Lolley’s Ice Cream and leave your mark with our community paper quilt project. Enjoy food, live entertainment, and getting to know the Monument Library that has been serving the Tri-Lakes area for more than 50 years! Enjoy music from folk duo Willson & McKee.
Open House – Manitou Springs Library
Wed., Feb. 25 | 3 - 5 p.m.
One of El Paso County’s three Carnegie Libraries, visit the Manitou Springs Library to learn about a cornerstone of the Manitou community. Explore our seed library and stroll the grounds reading a story just for kids! There will be a scavenger hunt with a chance to win two tickets for the Pikes Peak Cog Railway and explore the summit of Pikes Peak, as well as other fun activities for kids and adults alike. Entertainment, music and more – all at the Manitou Springs Library!
Open House – Fountain Library
Sat., March 7 | 2 - 4 p.m.
The Fountain Library is celebrating its place in Fountain history and the great Colorado outdoors. Come make your own “Collage-orado” from photos and magazines that focus on outdoor activities in the state. Create your own GORP or use one of the Library’s recipe cards. Stroll-a-story while exploring the trail to Jimmy Camp Creek behind the Library. Learn more about Fountain’s community organizations and remember to turn in your completed scavenger hunt game card for a chance to win an Annual Family Pass from Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Open House – East Library
Sat., March 28 | 3 - 5 p.m.
Create your own sidewalk-chalk masterpiece and learn about the East Library history at the East Library’s Open House. You’ll be able to explore the makerspaces and try the fun and games in the Educational Resource Center. Make buttons, try out the puzzles, and take home an artistic creation! History comes alive with the East Library scavenger hunt (with a chance to win $100 game card to Dave & Busters) and stroll the park and read a children’s story with your family. Enjoy the sounds of the local band Mountain Harmony.
Open House – Palmer Lake Library
Fri., April 24 | 3 - 5 p.m.
The Palmer Lake Library will have lawn games on the greens, food in the town hall and feature artwork from one of its volunteers. The Library is also partnering with the town’s volunteer fire department with a display. Families can read a story on the Palmer Lake Greens. There will be face-painting, music, and a town scavenger hunt (with a chance to win a $75 gift card to Calvert’s Market in Palmer Lake) around the green.
Open House – Library 21c
Sat., May 9 | 2 - 4 p.m.
Munch on flavored popcorn and ice cream in Library 21c’s courtyard. Take part in a community mural explaining your love of the Library and sign up for the 150th commemorative Library card. There will be photo ops on a green screen, coloring pages – and a Friend of the Library book sale with special prizes. Local businesses will feature prize drawings, and a scavenger hunt will give you the chance to win a grand prize! See how the Library sorts books and places them on shelves with a behind-the-scenes tour and dance the day away with a DJ party in the Library 21c Studio!
Open House – Ruth Holley Library
Fri., June 12 | 10 a.m. - noon
Explore Ruth Holley with sidewalk chalk, a giant connect-4 game in the parking lot, and a ton of fun. Make your artistic mark on Ruth Holley by coloring a giant coloring sheet and try your hand at some retro games! A scavenger hunt will lead you to learn more about Ruth Holley herself, and participating means you can enter to win a grand prize!
Open House – Penrose Library & Mobile Library Services
Thu., Aug. 13 | 3 - 5 p.m
Join the Penrose Library staff for a fun-filled afternoon of crafts, prizes, food, and fun! Go outside to explore the newest bookmobile and learn about its features.
Open House – Cheyenne Mountain Library
Sat., Sept. 12 | 10 a.m. - noon
Come visit Cheyenne Mountain Library's Open House for a morning of fun! Explore the library with a building-wide scavenger hunt for all ages, crafts, entertainment, and more to celebrate the Library and Colorado's 150th anniversary.
Open House – Ute Pass Library
Thu., Sept. 24 | 3 - 5 p.m.
Did you know the Ute Pass Library was once a schoolhouse for the children in Cascade? Visit the Library for the Open House to learn more. Plus, try out a craft in the children’s area, explore all there is to know about the history of the Ute Pass Library while taking in the fall colors on Ute Pass.
Open House – Sand Creek Library
Sat., Oct. 3 | 2 - 4 p.m.
Have you always wanted to try karaoke? Now’s your chance – sing the afternoon away at the Sand Creek Library studio, explore the makerspace, try your creative skills with crafts, and take home a button made specifically for the event! Explore the Sand Creek art gallery that features local artistic talent and visit the fish near our beautiful community rooms.
Open House – High Prairie Library
Fri., Oct. 16 | 3 - 5 p.m.
Learn more about the High Prairie Library's role in El Paso County and explore its space and materials by doing a scavenger hunt. Make buttons celebrating Colorado and the USA and add your impressions of our beautiful state to a collage. Take part in contests and quizzes to win prizes! Learn about local history and culture as you explore the outdoors stroll-a-story feature. Enjoy a slice of cake as we celebrate High Prairie's Sweet Sixteen!
Open House – Calhan Library
Wed., Nov. 4 | 3 - 5 pm.
Celebrate the Calhan Library’s birthday with a party that is just for you! Explore the Library’s services through a scavenger hunt, take home a craft from the children’s area, and take part in a local history quiz! Have a sweet treat, win prizes, and celebrate the impact the Library has on the Calhan community!
Open House – Old Colorado City Library
Mon., Dec. 7 | 4 - 6 p.m.
Play giant board games and learn more about Old Colorado City and Pikes Peak Library District with a one-of-a-kind trivia game with the Westside Historical Society! Explore the Library with a scavenger hunt and tour the oldest Library in the district! Old Colorado City Library has a 122-year history and will be celebrating its opening day anniversary.
Past Open houses
Open House – Regional History & Genealogy
Sat., Jan. 24 | 3 - 5 p.m.
Step into the past while visiting the Library’s Regional History & Genealogy department housed at the Penrose Library in the 1905 Carnegie Building. Come show off your knowledge of El Paso County with a game that will take you across the county. Find the military artifact and fly out of Colorado Springs Airport. Browse our Digital Collections and find yourself in a historical photo. Test your research skills with a scavenger hunt in the stacks and get a chance to win a $100 gift card to Poor Richards.
