During its August 20 Board meeting, Pikes Peak Library District’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to enter contracts to purchase the Ruth Holley and Ute Pass library properties. With these purchases, Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) will now own 10 of its 14 Library locations. Cheyenne Mountain, Monument, Palmer Lake, and Manitou Springs libraries are still under active leases.
A financial investment of a $1 million donation from the PPLD Foundation, a $200,000 donation from a private entity, $1 million from the fund balance reserves, $400,000 from the capital funds contingency, and $48,000 from Colorado Trust interest made it possible for PPLD to purchase both Ruth Holley and Ute Pass libraries for a total of $2.65 million.
“Owning these properties will ensure long-term sustainability in these communities and allow PPLD to offer library services to residents in ways that best fit their lifestyles,” said Board of Trustees President Julie Smyth. “Focusing on literacy in the southeast region and working toward extended hours of service for our patrons in the more rural areas strengthens PPLD’s commitment to providing access to everyone.”
Property ownership was a recommendation presented in the 2024 Facilities Master Plan for the Library District as it reduces debt from the Library District’s annual operations budget.
Over the next several months Library Leadership will finalize plans and present them to the community via town hall meetings to inform the residents of what PPLD has in store for their library location and an approximate timeline for implementation.
In alignment with the Board’s priorities to provide services for the Library District’s entire legal service area, PPLD will continue to consider creative approaches to serving the public, funds permitting, and having a presence in as many communities as possible, using mobile library services, hybrid facilities, kiosks, or holds lockers.