The Teen Art Contest is for teens and by teens. Teens create the art, and teens determine the winners.
The theme for our 2018 Teen Art Contest was "Hidden Beauty." Teens were encouraged to show us where they have found hidden beauty in the ordinary, everyday world.
All of the artwork will be displayed at either Penrose Library, East Library, or Library 21c during the month of April.
Here are the winners!
Best In Show
Clear by Isabella Huhn
High School - First Place
Letting Go by Celine Hanlon
High School - Second Place
Masked by Elizabeth Ward
Middle School - First Place
Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder by Connor Murdock
Middle School - Second Place
Beauty of the Mountain by Adyline Poirson
Coordinator’s Choice - High School
Color through Clutter by Rebecca Gearhart
Coordinator’s Choice - Middle School
A Shoe by Adia Byron
You can view the winners here:
PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence for March/April 2018 was Joanna Bolek. She has taught art processes in the context of mindfulness/awareness for over 20 years to diverse populations. She has a masters degree in art education. She is also a qualified meditation and Dharma Art instructor.
Sarah tought throughout Pikes Peak Library District, as well as hosting open studio hours at Library 21c.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information about this program.
The popular on-demand film streaming service Kanopy is now available for free to Pikes Peak Library District patrons. Library card holders can access Kanopy and sign up to start streaming films instantly by visiting ppld.kanopy.com. Films can be streamed from any computer, television, mobile device or platform by downloading the Kanopy app for iOS, Android, AppleTV, Chromecast, or Roku.
Offering what the New York Times calls “a garden of cinematic delights,” Kanopy showcases more than 30,000 of the world’s best films, including award-winning documentaries, rare and hard-to-find titles, film festival favorites, indie and classic films, and world cinema with collections from Kino Lorber, Music Box Films, Samuel Goldwyn, The Orchard, The Great Courses, PBS, and thousands of independent filmmakers.
When she was in 9th grade, Crystal Reavis dropped out of high school. “I got in with a group of friends that thought partying was more fun than being responsible,” she says. “I was a cheerleader. I wasn’t in the out crowd. But my parents left me with some friends to make my own decisions when I was 13, which led to partying and not doing my schoolwork.”
Now a married mother of two, Reavis is part of the first group of graduates from Pikes Peak Library District’s Career Online High School (COHS) program. A graduation ceremony was held from 6 - 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 14 at East Library, 5550 N. Union Blvd.
“This is something I have wanted to do, but I don’t drive because of epilepsy, so getting a GED was hard. Dragging kids onto the bus is almost impossible. And most people don’t want your kids in the class with you,” says Reavis, who also homeschools her children: Gauge, age 9; and Kahlan, age 1.
While on PPLD’s website, self-described “library junkie” Reavis found information about COHS, and said, “‘This is something I can do!’ And my husband (David) said, 'You absolutely should!’ It was a perfect fit for me.”
Reavis was able to finish the program in four months, getting career certification in office management. The flexibility of a self-paced, online program benefited the busy Reavis. “I could go on there anytime I wanted, which was really great. Having two kids is hard enough, and when you homeschool you have to fit it in when you can,” she says.
Reavis’ accomplishment has unsurprisingly moved her family. “My son said, ‘I want to make sure I finish school now because I see how happy you are.’ When the diploma came in, my husband actually cried and told me how proud he was of me. He knew how important it was for me,” recalls Reavis.
“Thank you to Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District, to all of the librarians, and especially (PPLD Adult Education’s) Teona (Shainidze-Krebs) and Julie (Beck). They have both been with me every step of the way. If anyone were to ask me why they should enroll, I would say that it really will change your life. Once you have a diploma, you can do anything, whether it’s a better-paying job, going to college, or getting a sense of accomplishment.”
Ah yes, college. Reavis, once a teenage dropout, is about to start studying Anthropology through Ashford University. And she’s been trying to get a family member to enroll in COHS, as well. “My dad lives in Florida, and they have the same program there. He never finished school because his parents died. I told him, ‘You have to do this!’ And now he’s looking into it.”
For more information about Career Online High School, visit ppld.org/cohs.
2018 marks the 10th year of the Giant Puppet Project at Mountainside Elementary School (MES) on Fort Carson. Concrete Couch works with the students to design and build a marionette puppet that is based on a favorite children's book. The most recent project, inspired by The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister, is now installed at Library 21c.
The project involves kids from military families, their parents and siblings, and community volunteers. It is designed to boost literacy skills, has a pre-engineering element, and is just plain fun! Kids ages 6 - 10 are involved in the 11-day experience. The installations are up at MES for one year, and each puppet has about eight different moving parts! For the installation at Library 21c, Rainbow Fish was simplified to be a non-moving sculptural piece.
Sponsors of the program include the Bee Vradenburg Foundation, Joseph Henry Edmondson, El Pomar and Quail Roost Foundations, the Hillsdale and Alpenglow Funds, Colorado Industrial Recyclers, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and Barb and David Winter.
Special thanks go to the many volunteers who assist in this and other Concrete Couch projects. You guys are the bomb!
~The Staff at Concrete Couch
PPLD's Maker in Residence for January/February 2018 was Charlie Mussi, an award-winning retired photojournalist whose work has appeared in national newspapers, international magazines, and table-top books. In 2001, he was recognized as one of the world's 125 finest photographers and set out on a unique global photographic essay to record "A Day in the Life of the U.S. Armed Forces." Since retiring, Charlie has rediscovered the fun of photography and enjoys teaching, coaching, and conducting photography workshops. In 2015, Charlie started the PPLD Community Photography Contest to recognize the amazing photography talent in the region.
Charlie taught Digital Photography as Art & Play classes throughout the Library District, as well as hosted studio hours at Library 21c, where patrons could talk to him about his work.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information about this program.
Page published: Dec., 8, 2017
Pikes Peak Library District and Urban Peak Colorado Springs have launched a first-of-its-kind initiative in the state. Aimed at helping teen runaways and youth experiencing homelessness to find help sooner, the project makes libraries in the District part of the National Safe Place Network. “Local libraries are already hot spots for young people who seek a safe place,” says Shawna Kemppainen, executive director of Urban Peak Colorado Springs. “When the Library approached us, we knew this collaboration could mean more runaway and homeless youth get help before falling into the crisis of street life.” That help could include safe, temporary shelter, basic needs such as food or clothing, and potentially entering Urban Peak’s full range of services including counseling, healthcare, employment and housing services. “Becoming sites for the National Safe Place Network was an easy choice for the Library. We already provide services and resources to help the residents of El Paso County and welcome all through our doors,” says Antonia Krupicka-Smith, Adult/Teen Services Manager at Library 21c. “Extending the reach of the crucial services provided by Urban Peak Colorado Springs to our youth is yet another way that we support the community that we are all a part of.” How Safe Place Works:
- A young person enters the library and asks for help.
- The library staff finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while calling Urban Peak’s Safe Place Line: (719) 339-0509.
- Urban Peak dispatches a Safe Place trained volunteer to the library within 30 minutes. The volunteer will speak with the youth and then provide transportation to Urban Peak’s facility.
- Once at Urban Peak, counselors meet with the youth and provide support to see what’s needed. That could mean shelter, or getting the teen connected to next safe steps.
Information about Safe Place will go out to local middle schools and high schools and other youth-serving organizations.
At an awards ceremony on Mon., Nov. 27, 2017 at the Antlers hotel, Pikes Peak Library District was named Best Workplace by The Gazette in the Extra Large Company (300+ employees) category.
According to The Gazette, PPLD "ranked high among its employees in social responsibility, providing meaningful work, confidence in leadership, being a place workers would recommend to others for employment and operating with strong values and ethics."
Here is a video The Gazette created, which was shown at the ceremony.
PPLD's Makers in Residence for November/December 2017 were Charles and Tauni Orndorff. The Colorado Springs natives have been making costumes and props for over 15 years. Their skills include sewing, fabrication, 3D design, and much more. They are currently instructors at the Pikes Peak Makerspace where they teach resin casting, silicone molding, and vac-forming.
They taught classes about creating silicone molds throughout the Library District, as well as hosting studio hours at Library 21c.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information about this program.
Congratulations to the winners of our first All Pikes Peak Writes, PPLD's adult fiction writing contest. You can read the winning entries by clicking here.
1st Place
"I Don't Blame Him for Dying" bu Andrew Beasley
2nd Place
"Puddle" by Andrea Malcom
3rd Place
"The Photograph" by Jacqueline Peveto
Honorable Mention
"Apostrophe" by Ariane Peveto
Honorable Mention
"Dr. Luckwood" by Jill Long
On Wednesday, August 30, the Library Express facility at the First and Main Town Center will be permanently closed. The library material return drops will remain at that location indefinitely. Library Express items may be returned to any PPLD location, including the drops at First and Main.
The decision to close Library Express was made because the limited usage it receives no longer justifies the cost and time of maintaining the facility.
Library Express opened in in February 2011 to provide our patrons an access point on the busy Power Corridor. PPLD will continue to explore options for providing Library service to that area.
Space to Thrive, by the Community, for the Community
- The Hall at PPLD mission statement
Address:
20 W. Pikes Peak Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone:
(719) 531-6333, x6142
Contact:
dbooth@ppld.org
Hours:
Sunday and Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Holiday Hours and Closures
The Hall at PPLD (formerly known as Knights of Columbus Hall) offers a large public space in Downtown Colorado Springs for community members to hold meetings, performances, classes, as well as anything in between or beyond. There is no cost to use HA.
Click here to reserve a room at The Hall at PPLD
The entrance to The Hall at PPLD is located in the Northwest corner of the Penrose Library Campus Parking lot.
The Hall at PPLD Programs
The Hall at PPLD hosts a variety of PPLD programs that are designed to provide community members with resources, from entertainment to small business resources, to food security and housing assistance.
- Community Exchange: Every Friday from 1 - 4 p.m.
- Pikes Peak Poet Laureate Project
- Artist of the Knight
If you have questions or would like further information on The Hall at PPLD, email dbooth@ppld.org.
PPLD's Maker in Residence for June/July 2017 was Deb Prewitt, a Certified Zentangle® Teacher (CZT) and a Mixed Media Artist. She has been making art and creating all of her life, finding most of her inspiration from Mother Nature (living in Colorado makes it easy to find that inspiration on a daily basis). She has developed numerous classes around the Zentangle practice and has also incorporated it into other aspects of her art. Deb believes in curiosity, creativity, and playfulness. She knows that bringing art and creativity into our everyday lives will make us happier and healthier. Deb also owns Blue Twig Studio, where she teaches classes, hosts art groups, and sells mixed media and Zentangle art supplies.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information about this program.
PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence for May/June 2017 was Barbara Dimond. She considers herself a mixed media artist working in out of the box processes in collage, as well as paper mache. Originally from New York City, she has been living in Colorado Springs and New Mexico for her adult life. Trained as a handmade paper artist, she collects papers and fibers found, bought, and prepared. Barbara teaches art around the region and has been on the faculty of the Fine Arts Center Bemis School of Art for well over 20 years. She loves to share her artistic ideas and processes with her students. Barbara went to the City University of New York, getting a degree in art and art education. She then did her graduate work in Southwest Studies at the Colorado College.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information about this program.
The Teen Art Contest is for teens and by teens. Teens create the art, and teens determine the winners.
The theme for our 2017 Teen Art Show & Contest was Transformation Teens were encouraged to show us how art impacts your life, or how it transforms the world around you.
All of the artwork will be displayed at either Penrose Library, East Library, or Library 21c during the month of April. Questions? Contact Becca Phillipsen at (719) 531-6333, x6336 or rphillipsen@ppld.org.
Here are the winners!
Best in Show
"Mirror Reflection" by Aleyah B.
High School
1st Place: "My Fantasy" by Elizabeth W.
2nd Place: "Summer Sunsets" by Kaylee T.
Coordinator’s Choice: "Hands of Time" by Mary R.
Middle School
1st Place: "Transportation through Time" by Liberty H.
2nd Place: "Evolution" by Mikayla R.
Coordinator’s Choice: "Coy Fish Pond" by Kristine B.
You can view the winning works here:
Reserve your free State Parks Pass and Backpack today by clicking here! This program is a partnership with the Colorado Department of Education, State Library, local library systems, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. It is meant to encourage Coloradans to visit our State Parks and experience all of the great outdoor recreation that this state has to offer. Each backpack, which checks out for one week, includes:
- State park pass
- Leave No Trace card (learn more about Leave No Trace)
- Activity idea list
- Colorado trees and wildflower guide
- Colorado Wildlife guide
- Guide to Colorado's 41 State Parks (en español)
- Fishing Basics Sheet
- Binoculars
- The Night Sky Guide
- About the "Checkout Colorado" Backpack Laminated Handout
- Evaluation/Survey
PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence for March /April 2017 was Linda Smith, an artist and art educator who started a non-profit while living in Kigali, Rwanda, called the “TEOH Project”, which provides cameras and art classes to children in Rwanda, Ghana and Bronx NY. She has been commissioned by the UN to provide photographic classes to survivors and former perpetrators of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. She earned her BA from Syracuse University an MA in Communications at Goldsmith College at the University of London and an MFA from the University of Connecticut. Her work has been exhibited in the United Nations, embassies, and universities.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information about this program.
PPLD now has Sorenson videophones and Video Relay Service-equipped laptops available for patron use. VRS allows people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired to communicate using American Sign Language through video equipment. It replaces TTY or Text Telephone.
Videophones are now available at the East Library and Library 21c.
VRS-equipped laptops are available at the following PPLD locations: Cheyenne Mountain, High Prairie, Manitou Springs, Monument, Old Colorado City, Ruth Holley, and Sand Creek libraries.
Beginning Jan. 9, 2017, PPLD will no longer charge fines on overdue children and teen items. Removing overdue fines will provide greater opportunity for children and teens to use the full range of library services. Currently, 15% of children and teen cardholders are blocked from checking out items at the library due to overdue fines.
Also, overdue fines on DVDs and games will be reduced from 25 cents per day to 10 cents per day.
PPLD seeks to foster literacy and life-long learning for children and teens. The Library regularly evaluates policies to see what barriers for service exist and evaluates how to eliminate such barriers. The Library’s Board of Trustees approved the new policy at their December meeting.
Items that will not accrue overdue fines must be designated as “juvenile” or “teen” in the Library catalog. The policy will take effect for any items checked out January 9 or after. Lost item and damage fees will still apply.
Overdue notices will still be sent as reminders to return Library items. Items not returned within 21 days of the due date will be considered lost, and the full cost of the item will be charged to the patron’s account.
In January 2017, the City of Manitou Springs invited the public to review proposed expansion and remodel plans for the Manitou Springs Library.
After receiving six proposals, a team led by Architect Roger Thorp of Thorp Associates was selected by the City in July 2016 to develop plans for expansion and remodel of the historic Carnegie Library.
The team held a series of public meetings to obtain feedback and information from the community. They then took the public input, and that of personnel from the Pikes Peak Library District, which operates the Manitou Springs Library, and developed over the last five months several versions of expansion plans. The final draft proposal was presented to the Manitou Springs Historic Preservation Commission on December 7, at which time the Commission unanimously approved the conceptual design.
Click here to view the draft expansion plans.
To view a larger version of the rendering seen at upper-right, click here.
PPLD's Makers in Residence for January and February 2017 were Ron Cousar and Dr. Wanda Tisby-Cousar.
Ron Cousar has played R&B, blues, and jazz for many years. In addition to studio work with Savoy Records, he has played with bands in New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Baltimore, and now Colorado Springs. He has dedicated his talents to playing blues, R&B, funk and jazz. His influences include Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Robert Johnson, and a host of other artists.
Dr. Wanda Tisby-Cousar storytelling and dance to coach innovation and artistic ability. Sande Leadership, a model Dr. Wanda developed, is based on ancestral lineage to the Mende of Sierra Leone, West Africa. Tisby-Cousar has studied tap and interpretive dance since the age of four with Sydney King School of Dancea nd performed with Afi West African Dance Ensemble.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information about this program.
Have you read a really great (or really bad) book lately? Tell us all about it! Just fill out this book review form and your review will be posted in the Book Reviews section of ppld.org.
Happy reviewing!
PPLD's Maker in Residence for November 2016 was Jo Hart.
Yearning for a change from her Midwest living Jo moved to Colorado less than 18 months ago. She earned her Master of Fine Arts degree in Ceramics and a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communications. She has worked in the art and design fields throughout her career in the corporate, private, ad agency and not-for-profit sectors. Jo primarily works in clay making sculptural objects with a focus on feminine concerns. Recently she has been making utilitarian pieces and mixing multiple surface decoration techniques to create a balance between discord and harmony. Jo likes to make everyday and if she can’t she is sad.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information about this program.
PPLD's Artist in Residence for September and October 2016 was Deb Bartos, an oil painter who loves exploring the natural world and teaching students about color. She continues to develop her knowledge about how light and color work together, and is fascinated by the process.
Visit PPLD's Maker/Artist in Residence page for more information about this program.
Comedic icon Gene Wilder, star of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, among many others, has died of complications from Alzheimer's disease. He was 83. Mr. Wilder is probably best remembered as the sweet but subversive title character in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory where he won over countless young hearts, but it was his work with Mel Brooks in Young Frankenstein and The Producers that brought him critical acclaim, garnering two Oscar nominations. Wilder rarely worked after the death of his third wife, Gilda Radner, in 1989, but his legacy endures as the world remembers him as one of the comedic greats.
"Gene Wilder-One of the truly great talents of our time. He blessed every film we did with his magic & he blessed me with his friendship." - Mel Brooks