Library to cut ribbon on fifteenth facility

Calhan, Colo. the site of PPLD's newest Library

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – The community of Calhan, Colo., along with Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) staff and patrons are celebrating a momentous occasion: the opening of a new library in El Paso County.

On Monday, Nov. 4, PPLD will cut the ribbon on its 15th facility, located at 600 Bank St. in Calhan.

“The buildup to this event has been so exciting for all of us,” says Calhan Library’s manager, Liz Willhoff. “The community has been incredibly supportive and so excited. We can’t wait to get the doors open on our new library and expand our services to Calhan and the surrounding area.”

In April, PPLD announced it had purchased a 2400 square foot building from the Calhan Youth Education and Recreation Foundation. Following the announcement, library staff held forums in the community, in addition to an online and paper survey, to get feedback on what local residents wanted in their new library.

“We’re here to serve the community,” Willhoff says. “It’s better if our services are informed by their point of view so we can learn how to meet their needs, rather than us deciding their needs for them.”

Not only will the library’s collection feature books and other items specific to local history, but the services and hours of operation were decided by the community. Previously the area was served only by PPLD bookmobiles.

“We’re constantly evaluating services and existing gaps, so we can better foster community and ensure access for all residents in our service area,” says PPLD Chief Librarian and CEO John Spears. “The heavy use of our bookmobile in Calhan clearly showed this community was ready for a permanent library facility, and we are thankful to be able to deliver that.”

The grand opening event will feature representatives from El Paso County, the City of Calhan, and PPLD at 10:30 a.m. A ribbon cutting will take place directly afterward at 11 a.m., and celebratory events will be held throughout the day. More information can be found at ppld.org/calhangrandopening.

PPLD would like to thank the Calhan Youth Education and Recreation Foundation, Pikes Peak Workforce Center, El Paso County Fair Grounds, the Community Outreach Center, Calhan Town Hall, Calhan RJ-1 School District, and United Methodist Church for their invaluable assistance in making the new library a reality.

DETAILS:

• Calhan Library Grand Opening | Mon., Nov. 4 | 600 Bank St., Calhan, CO 80808
• 10:30 a.m. Welcome and Opening Statements
• 11 a.m. Ribbon Cutting and Cookies

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Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) seeks to engage and transform people’s lives by providing equitable access to information, enrichment opportunities, and community connections via 14 facilities, online resources, and mobile library services. It is a nationally recognized system of public libraries serving a population of more than 650,000 across 2,070 square miles in El Paso County, Colo.