Submitted by chager on
Photos of Penrose Library Fence

Fence Construction Complete, Penrose Library to Lock Gates After Library Closes 

Published on Mon., March 23, 2026

The final phase of Penrose Library’s renovations is complete. A fence now encircles the entire property, and starting Mon., April 13, the gates are closing.

What does that mean for Library patrons? The lot will be open during Penrose Library’s operating hours, but security will lock them after the Library closes each day. The lot will remain closed on Sunday, when the Library is closed. 

Penrose Library Don't get caught in the lot

Don’t get caught in the lot! Cars left behind are subject to parking fines from the city, charges from the towing company, and for repeat offenders, towing charges after the vehicle has been removed. 

This upgrade to Penrose Library’s security has been years in the making, and the decision marks the opportunity to protect the property when the Library is closed. Security of our property and safety for our patrons is our top priority, and we believe this step will provide both for staff and visitors alike. 

For more information about the locked gates, as well as how to find your vehicle once it has been towed, see our frequently asked questions below. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

The purpose of locking the gates is to ensure PPLD protects residents’ investments in their Downtown library while the library is closed. After-hours incidents can damage the facility, cause unnecessary costs, and create an unsafe environment for the staff and public. 

The projected date to start locking gates is Mon., April 13, 2026. 

Lower Lot

Monday – Thursday | 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday | 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday | Closed all day
Closed on Library holidays and for emergency closures 

Closed Times – Upper Lot

Monday – Thursday | 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday – Saturday | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday | Closed all day
Closed on Library holidays and for emergency closures 

A list of Library holiday closures can be found at ppld.org/closures. 

If Penrose Library closes early because of inclement weather, the gates will remain open if there are no cars in the lot when staff departs. If it closes early for another reason, the gates will remain open, and security staff will return at the lock at regular closing times.  

Vehicles left in the parking lot after staff lock the gates for the night will remain in the lot until the gates reopen the following day, excluding Sundays and holidays.

If you need to retrieve your vehicle after the gates are locked, you must contact the towing company listed on the gate. The towing company can unlock the gate for a $75 fee, which must be paid by the vehicle owner. 

Vehicle owners may seek permission from PPLD Security to park overnight. Vehicle owners may retrieve the vehicle once the parking lot opens the following business day. If they want to retrieve the vehicle the same night, they will be required to contact the towing company listed on the gates. Vehicle owners will be responsible for paying the towing company to have the gates opened, so they can retrieve their vehicles. 

Vehicles remaining in the lot must contact the towing company listed on the gate to retrieve their vehicle. The vehicle owner is responsible for paying the towing company to have the gates unlocked. 

Vehicles will not be towed for a first or second overnight occurrence. However, vehicles that have been left overnight three times and tracked by security may be automatically towed without further warning. Security will place notices on these vehicles and maintain a log to track repeat occurrences. 

Vehicle owners may contact the towing company (Tim’s Mannagift Inc.) via phone at (719) 578-5566. This number is also on the gate signs. 

No. We will provide warning information on vehicles left overnight and will tow after three occurrences. Those vehicles are still subject to city parking fines.  

No, the purpose of locking the gates is to ensure that PPLD protects the investment of the residents of El Paso County in their Downtown library while the library is closed. After-hours issues can damage the facility and create unnecessary costs and unsafe environments for the staff and public. 

PPLD only monitors parking on its properties. We don’t have information about local parking in downtown Colorado Springs.  

Vehicle owners can seek permission from PPLD Security to park overnight.  Owners can retrieve their vehicles once the parking lot opens the following business day.

Cash, check, credit or debit card, Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, bank transfer, Apple Pay.  

The exterior materials return at Penrose Library will not be accessible when the gates are closed. Nearby branches with exterior after-hours materials returns include Old Colorado City (2.6 miles away, a 7-minute drive), Cheyenne Mountain Library (3.4 miles away, a 10-minute drive), and Sand Creek Library (6 miles, an 11-minute drive). 

Preliminary Work on Penrose Fence Starts

Published on Fri., Oct. 3, 2025

Penrose Library’s improvements continue as the Library begins Phase Three of a multi-phase project to enhance the Library’s security and improve patrons’ experiences.

The third phase starts Mon., Oct. 6 with preliminary work needed to install the perimeter fence – fashioned like the existing fence at the Carnegie Library Garden – at Penrose Library. Patrons will see the work underway on the upper east lot.

The Library will remain open during construction. Patrons may use the lower west lot to park. The front entrance to the Library remains open for patrons who walk to the Library.

This phase of the project follows other upgrades at Penrose Library, including renovations and updates to the Computer Lab and Children’s areas, lowering bookshelves, and installing lockers, security cameras, and service desks at each entrance.

The fence installation is scheduled to be completed by late fall, depending on the weather.
 

Penrose Library will complete improvements and reopen the Computer Lab and Children's area on Tue., April 1. 

Published on Mon., March 31, 2025

Until the Computer Lab and Children's area reopen:

  • Laptops and Chromebooks are available to checkout for in-library use at the Service desk.
  • All Children's programming will continue as scheduled. To participate, please enter through the Aspen Meeting Room.

Join us outside the Children's area for a reopening ceremony and celebration on Tue., April 1 at 9:30 a.m.

Learn about how Updates at Penrose Library Enhance Library Users’ Experiences.
 

Penrose Library will undergo the next stages of its improvement project starting on Mon., Jan. 6.

Published on Jan. 3, 2025 | Updated on Thu., Jan. 30, 2025

Building on efforts started in February 2024 to increase the safety and security of Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) patrons and staff, Penrose Library is gearing up for another round of updates starting in January 2025. Plans have been made to update the Computer Lab, Children’s area, both the east and west entrances, and the security monitoring and alarm systems. 

Penrose Library will remain open for the duration of this project. The Computer Lab and Children's area will be closed during construction. Library users can check out laptops or Chromebooks for use inside the Library by visiting the service desk. All Children's programming will continue as scheduled. Participants can join the programs by entering through the Aspen Meeting Room.

The user experience in the Computer Lab will be enhanced with a more open floor plan allowing for smaller collaborative spaces and increased availability of computers. New desks will be installed that will increase user privacy and create a more user-friendly environment. The service desk will be updated to provide for safer and comprehensive management of the computer lab. A Chromebook charging kiosk will also be installed. 

The shelving in the Children’s area will be lowered to improve sightlines and lighting. To increase child safety and provide noise reduction, a glass storefront will be installed to enclose the area. Also, the Library’s youngest patrons will be welcomed into their renovated space with a new hand-painted mural by a Colorado artist. 

Both the east and west entrances will receive updated exterior doors. New service desks will be installed at both entrances with an ADA approach height so that all patrons and staff can enjoy interactions at a desk suited to their needs. The east entrance (off Cascade Ave.) will have an energy-saving air curtain installed and be designed for better incoming and outgoing traffic flow. The Friends of PPLD will also be expanding their bookstore.  

To increase security throughout the building, an updated security monitoring and alarm system will be installed. 

PPLD is looking forward to completing these updates and continuing to create a safe, welcoming, and comfortable environment for all users of Penrose Library. This Library is a strong part of the downtown Colorado Springs area and is proud to continue to be a contributing part of the thriving Downtown community. Ensuring a safe and secure environment for all to access the Library’s resources and spaces has been and will continue to be at the foundation of Pikes Peak Library District. We thank you for your patience and understanding during this time. 

Updates are expected to be completed in March 2025.  

Penrose Library reopens with Open House!

Published on Mon., April 1, 2024

Penrose Library will be completing the first stage of updates planned for 2024 and reopening to the public on Wed., April 10 at 4 p.m. This is the only stage that requires closing the building to complete, as all other updates are expected to proceed while the Library is open.

During National Library Week, April 7 – 13, Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) will be hosting open houses throughout the Library District to celebrate libraries and what they bring to our communities. When Penrose Library reopens at 4 p.m. on April 10, this will serve as that location’s Open House and everyone is invited.

 

Penrose closing for security updates starting February 2024

Published on Mon., Jan. 8, 2024

Updates are coming to Penrose Library in early 2024. In a concerted effort to increase the safety and security of Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) patrons and staff, Library leadership has determined that a significant investment in the systems, structures/facilities, and resources in use at Penrose Library is paramount. Staff and community members have asked that the Library District address this location specifically, and leadership has listened to that feedback. After careful evaluation, the Library District determined the most efficient updates that are financially feasible for PPLD and that provide the biggest return on time and funds invested. 

Although Penrose Library will not need to be closed for the majority of the plan implementation (predicted to take most of 2024 to complete), the beginning stages of the plan do require closing the facility. Penrose Library will be closed for approximately two months starting Thu., Feb. 1 in order to complete this stage of updates. During the closure, bookshelves will be shortened and reconfigured to increase shelf space, brighten the area, and increase visibility and accessibility. This process requires removing all of the books, disassembling the shelving units, sending them out for modification, and then reassembling them in their new configuration before reshelving the books. Only this stage will require closing the building, as all other updates are expected to proceed while the building is open. Other elements of this project will require the closure of smaller sections of Penrose Library for shorter periods of time in the coming months. Here are the planned changes that will not require a building closure to complete:

  • Moving the lockers currently located along the wall near our Regional History & Genealogy department to the west entrance and installing another set of lockers at the east entrance for patrons to store belongings during their visit.
  • Installation of boulders in the outdoor areas around the windows of the Children’s section.
  • Interior stairwell fencing installed below the main and west stairwells.
  • A visually appealing steel fence (resembling the one around the Carnegie Garden next to Penrose Library) installed around the premises.
  • Creation of a permanent structure in the back parking lot in which people with large belongings may store their items short-term during their visit.
  • Remodel of the computer lab.
  • Replacing existing tables and chairs with more functional furniture.
  • Removal of outlets and installation of a charging station near the front entrance.
  • Repositioning staff desks to strategic locations throughout the building.
  • Sectioning off the Children’s area to make it its own distinct room.
  • Updating all security hardware throughout the building, including the installation of ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant speakers.

PPLD is excited to update Penrose Library to improve safety and security for all patrons and staff. Penrose is a strong part of the downtown Colorado Springs area, and the Library is proud to continue to be a contributing part of this thriving community. Ensuring a safe and secure environment for all to access the Library’s resources and spaces has been and will continue to be at the foundation of Pikes Peak Library District. We thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

Accessing Regional History & Genealogy

While Penrose Library is closed, limited Regional History & Genealogy resources will be available.

Virtual assistance

When needed, patrons can schedule a virtual meeting with Regional History & Genealogy staff for one-on-one help to address specific research needs.

Microfilm

While Penrose Library is closed, Microfilm may be requested from Regional History & Genealogy, in advance, to be sent and viewed at East Library. Patrons will need to give four-days’ notice before the film will be available to them. East Library staff will contact patrons when their film is ready to view. Patrons must view the film at East Library (items do not circulate outside of the library). Microfilm requests from Interlibrary Loan during this time will also be available from East Library.

Database Access

Certain PPLD databases that are only available at Penrose Library are currently available at other locations while Penrose Library is closed.