Homeschoolers, get ready to tell the world about your favorite book! Prepare a creative book report at home and present it informally to other families in a science fair-style format. What you create to represent your book is up to you. Build a diorama, design a game based on the plot and characters, or make a poster for the movie version. Or you might create a book in a bag project, make a clothes hanger mobile, or draw the story in a comic book format. The possibilities are endless! For homeschool students in grades K – 8.
Registration opens on Fri., Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. Register here to be a book presenter. Please make sure that each participating student registers separately.
If you aren’t ready to present a book report yourself, drop by to support other homeschoolers by browsing the projects and discover your next favorite book!
When: Fri., Dec. 13 from 1 - 2 p.m.
Where: East Library
Need ideas to help you get started? Take a look at our idea file.
Published on Fri., Oct. 18, 2024
In preparation for its early 2025 move back to its original location, Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) will close Manitou Springs Library on Fri., Nov. 1.
Manitou Springs Library moved to its current location in March 2021, after vacating the Carnegie Library building it inhabited due to ADA compliance issues with the historic building. Since then, the Library has been colocated with the Manitou Art Center (MAC).
Over the last three years the City of Manitou Springs and a dedicated local task force have worked diligently to raise the money needed to update the Carnegie Library to comply with today’s accessibility requirements. Funding included support from the Library District and led to the city breaking ground on the renovation project in January 2024. The project is currently expected to be completed in November 2024.
- Library users with items checked out at Manitou Springs Library can check for extended due dates through My Account or by calling (719) 531-6333 and selecting 0 for staff assistance.
- The book drop will be closed at 5 p.m. on Fri., Nov. 1 and Library users will not be able to return materials to Manitou Springs Library during the closure.
- All holds designated for pickup at Manitou Springs Library will be suspended beginning Wed., Oct. 23 and will remain suspended until the Library reopens. Library users can select a different pick-up location and unsuspend holds through My Account or by calling (719) 531-6333 and selecting 0 for staff assistance.
- Makerspace equipment will no longer be available at Manitou Springs Library after Thu., Oct. 31. Equipment is available for reservation at our three makerspace locations.
- Library users will have access to the Manitou Art Center with their PPLD library card until Fri., Nov. 15.
Please contact the Manitou Art Center for information on membership opportunities.
PPLD will vacate the shared space with the MAC in mid-November. While the Library District’s partnership with the MAC is ending, PPLD is grateful the partnership allowed us to continue to serve the community while the Carnegie building was being renovated to be accessible to all.
The Library District and the City of Manitou Springs are working closely together to organize grand opening activities in January 2025 to celebrate its return to the Library’s historic home in the community.
Library users are encouraged to use this opportunity to visit and explore other Library locations while this relocation is completed.
Manitou Springs Library has Relocated
Published on Sun., Feb. 21, 2021
Uniting Manitou Springs’ library and art center to enrich community
The community of Manitou Springs now can find art, literature, creative studios, meeting spaces, and the vast resources and services of the public library all one place! Thanks to a new co-location partnership, Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) has relocated Manitou Springs Library to the Manitou Art Center (MAC). Building upon a decade of trust and cooperation, PPLD and the MAC transformed the historic building at 515 Manitou Avenue to become a shared space that extends more benefits to local artists, Library cardholders, and the greater community. PPLD can offer more than traditional library resources and services – and in a way that’s accessible – to all in Manitou Springs. The MAC will join us in welcoming more residents to learn, connect, create, and tinker with their already extensive offering of equipment and creative spaces. Manitou Springs Library officially opened inside of the MAC on Fri., March 5, 2021. Patrons can now safely browse the collection, speak with a librarian, book a computer session, or use the fax, scan, and copier machine. Curbside services are also available at the new co-location.
Get your limited-edition library card while supplies last!
Congratulations to artist Susan Odiam of Manitou Springs! Her original creation will be featured on our limited-edition card to celebrate the relocation of Manitou Springs Library to the MAC.
“We’re thrilled to pair our physical collection and other library services with an organization so focused on serving residents of Manitou Springs,” said PPLD Chief Librarian and CEO John Spears. “Their facilities will immeasurably enhance what we can provide to the local community.”
As the shared spaces expand in the future, Manitou Springs Library and the MAC will offer broader access to on-site meeting rooms, computer labs, makerspaces, art studios, and workforce development opportunities. The new co-location partners look forward to a future with more synergy, right in the heart of Manitou Springs, to support people’s aspirations, foster creativity and innovation, and boost prosperity.
“We’re excited to see what other long-term benefits arise from this venture, like increasing access to the MAC and expanding PPLD opportunities in Manitou Springs,” said MAC Executive Director Natalie Johnson. “We will leverage each other’s strengths of service.”
PPLD’s departure from the historic Carnegie building provides the City of Manitou Springs with necessary time to plan for its future, while still allowing the Library to adequately serve the public right now. PPLD’s leadership welcomes the opportunity to work with the City and return to the historic Carnegie building – if an expansion or facility improvements allow the Library to serve residents of all abilities, and everyone also has the opportunity to take advantage of other common services across El Paso County like access to meeting and study rooms, makerspaces, and more.
In the meantime, PPLD and the MAC looks forward to a strong co-location partnership so both can best serve the community now and into the foreseeable future. It’s beneficial for PPLD cardholders, MAC members, local artists, community partners, taxpayers, and the local economy.
“This is what can happen when we unite to find ways to better serve our community regardless of the circumstances,” shared Andy Vick, Executive Director for the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region. “I applaud Pikes Peak Library District and the Manitou Art Center for their collaboration, and I hope other organizations are inspired to move beyond traditional community partnerships and consider embracing the shared-space model that capitalizes on existing resources and plays to each other’s strengths.”
“Such alliances can lead to more people and businesses flourishing, which is what we need to strengthen the fabric of our communities for years to come.”
PPLD Board of Trustees Votes to Not Renew Rockrimmon Library Lease
Published on Thu., Oct. 17, 2024
After months of contemplation and examination, it was with great difficulty that the PPLD Board of Trustees came to the decision at our monthly board meeting on Wed., Oct. 16, to close Rockrimmon Library. Click to read more.
PPLD Board of Trustees to discuss Facilities Master Plan during Internal Affairs Committee meeting
You can see the final Facilities Master Plan here
Published on Thu., Oct. 3, 2024; Updated on Wed., Oct. 9, 2024
The Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) Board of Trustees announced today that it has received the final version of its Facilities Master Plan (FMP) from its consultants which include HB&A, an award-winning architectural and planning firm; ReThinking Libraries, with more than a decade of experience helping hundreds of libraries across the country with community engagement, strategic planning, and future-readiness; and Farnsworth Group, a century-old engineering and architectural firm. PPLD contracted with these organizations in the summer of 2023 to evaluate the Library District’s current operations and the community’s needs. The goal is to improve PPLD's offerings to the El Paso County community and to plan for a sustainable future for the Library District.
The trustees’ next steps include reviewing the report and its recommendations and then determining how they will proceed based on the results.
During its October monthly meeting, the Board’s Internal Affairs Committee will review the findings and recommendations. This meeting will take place on Tue., Oct. 8 at 8 a.m. at East Library. The meeting is open to the public. The committee will then bring its recommendations to an upcoming monthly Board meeting for discussion by the entire Board.
*Updated on Wed., Oct. 9, 2024: During its October monthly meeting, the Board’s Internal Affairs Committee met and reviewed the findings and recommendations. This meeting took place on Tue., Oct. 8 at 8 a.m. at East Library. The meeting was open to the public. The committee will then bring its recommendations to an upcoming monthly Board meeting for discussion by the entire Board.
Facilities Master Plan Preliminary Findings
Published on Mon., July 8, 2024
As part of Pikes Peak Library District’s (PPLD) Facilities Master Plan, we have been working with a consultant since summer 2023 to evaluate PPLD’s current operations and community needs. The goal is to improve PPLD's offerings to its community and to plan for a sustainable future for the Library District.
During the June 19, 2024, Board of Trustees meeting, our consultant presented their preliminary findings based on extensive data collected through multiple means of data collection, including public input through a series of public input sessions, visual dot-board meetings at outreach and Library events, a Community Survey, and input sessions with community leaders. Various options were presented by the consultants, including select branch closures, service hours adjustments, self-service options, and seeking voter approved funding increases. No decisions are being made on any of the recommendations presented at this time.
When the final Facilities Master Plan report is ready, the Board will assemble a committee to discuss the findings and recommendations. Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) supports a diverse community throughout El Paso County, and we strive to be good stewards of Library resources to provide the best resources and services to our community as we can.
The following three recommendations were presented to the Board based on different levels of funding:
Option 1 - Level Funding: Maintain current funding levels without change. Operational and capital funding stays at $51 per capita. Average household impact is about $134 per year.
Short-Term:
- Adjust service hours across Old Colorado City, Manitou Springs, and Cheyenne Mountain libraries
- Pilot unstaffed controlled access to Calhan, Palmer Lake, or Ute Pass libraries and reduce hours once adoption has occurred
- Close Rockrimmon Library at end of lease or after a short extension
- Close Ruth Holley Library at end of lease or after a short extension
Mid-Term:
- Add materials pickup lockers
- Open a new location along the Powers corridor
- Expand High Prairie Library location (15,000 square feet)
Long-Term:
- Shift Monument Library to a new and larger owned location
- Light renovations to East Library
- Upgrades to Sand Creek Library
Option 2 - Modest Increase: Increase funding to bring PPLD halfway up to the Colorado average. Operational and capital funding would increase to $61 per capita. Average household impact would be $161 per year.
Short-Term:
- Adjust service hours across Old Colorado City, Manitou Springs, and Cheyenne Mountain libraries
- Pilot unstaffed controlled access to Calhan, Palmer Lake, or Ute Pass libraries
- Seek voter approval on funding increase
- Add materials pickup lockers
Mid-Term:
- Shift Ruth Holley Library to a new Powers corridor location
- Expand the High Prairie Library location (15,000 - 20,000 square feet)
- Upgrades to Sand Creek Library
Long-Term:
- Shift Monument Library to a new and slightly larger owned location
- Fuller renovation to East Library
- Shift Rockrimmon Library to an owned location
Option 3 - Higher Level Increase to match the Colorado average funding level. Operational and capital funding would increase to $74 per capita. Average household impact would be $195 per year.
Short-Term:
- Pilot unstaffed controlled access to Calhan, Palmer Lake, or Ute Pass libraries
- Seek voter approval on funding increase
- Add materials pickup lockers
Mid-Term:
- Add new Powers Corridor outlet
- Expand High Prairie Library location (20,000 SF)
- Shift Monument Library to a new and larger owned location
Long-Term:
- Full renovation to East Library
- Shift Rockrimmon Library to an owned location
- Shift Cheyenne Mountain Library to an owned location
You can view the presentation of the preliminary report at youtube.com/watch?v=qDWR6NHrBfI and skip to timestamp 29:13.