We are pleased to announce the 2023 book for All Pikes Peak Reads, our annual community reads program. This year’s title is The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line: Untold Stories of the Women Who Changed the Course of World War II by Mari K. Eder. Anyone interested in joining us for this engaging book can stop by any Library location any time starting Wed., July 19 to pick up a copy or access it with our eLibrary resources Libby and Freading (it is always available on Freading).
Several of our library book clubs are also reading the book in September. Find your nearest book club that is reading the All Pikes Peak Reads book together on our book clubs page.
All Pikes Peak Reads improves community connection through literature and fosters dialogue across social, cultural, and generational lines. Every year, we select books that center around timely topics, and we pair the community read with related programming. Enjoy craft kits and coloring pages throughout the month, and join us for an author talk with Eder on Sat., Oct. 7 at Library 21c. Keep an eye on our website for information about additional programs coming soon.
This year’s title, which focuses on the women who served, fought, and took action against devastating odds during WWII, compliments a traveling exhibit coming to the Library this fall. From Sept. 5 – Oct. 11, East Library will host Americans and the Holocaust, a traveling exhibit from the American Library Association exploring social, financial, and political factors impacting life in the U.S. during the 1930s and 1940s and how these factors influenced the way Americans reacted to the Holocaust.
Detailed information about this year’s All Pikes Peak Reads program is available on our All Pikes Peak Reads webpage.
This summer the lawn and landscaping around Library 21c will undergo a turf conversion. This involves replacing non-native, manicured turf (lawn) with grasses native to our region. This is part of an initiative to be better stewards of our water and budget resources.
The landscaped areas of Library 21c currently consist of more than 1.5 acres of Kentucky Bluegrass turf which is a high-maintenance, high-resource using plant material. The cost to irrigate and provide routine maintenance to the lawn continues to increase each year. According to the Library’s water use monitoring, costs to irrigate the existing lawn areas at Library 21c exceed $20,000 annually. Converting the lawn to native grasses could save the Library as much as 60 – 70% of this cost and it will also greatly reduce water consumption. This conversion project will free up future financial resources that may be put to better use helping the community with other programs and services.
Over the next several months the Library will be working with Fisk Landscaping on the turf conversion. In general, the conversion includes adapting the irrigation system to serve the new grasses; killing the existing lawn; planting seeds for the new native “prairie”; watering for establishment and weed control; and installing sod where needed. The whole process is anticipated to take two growing seasons. This summer we will work on getting new native grass seeds germinated and growing, while next summer will focus on promoting healthy growth and establishing the native grass stand.
During the conversion process the Library asks patrons to please heed the warning signs to stay off of the lawn. This will help the conversion proceed as planned without unnecessary disturbance or damage to the new landscaping as it develops. We appreciate your cooperation.
We are partnering with two more Colorado attractions, expanding the Pikes Peak Culture Pass program to 12 local attractions for patrons to explore! Enjoy even more local art and regional history through the Library. Use your library card to reserve passes for no-cost entry into the Michael Garman Museum & Gallery in Old Colorado City, and the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum in Victor. Check below for more information about these exciting attractions and reserve your pass today.
Michael Garman Museum & Gallery
Visit the Michael Garman Museum & Gallery and explore the works of sculptor Michael Garman. His large-scale Cityscape Street Scenes will capture the imaginations of all ages. The gallery features his largest creation, Magic Town, which is a 1/6th scale miniaturized urban neighborhood, complete with dozens of handcrafted buildings, alleyways, and sidewalk scenes. What especially brings these detailed creations to life are the “Magical Elements” that transform the miniature scenes in rooms before your eyes, make alleyways appear to go on forever, and show off other immersive visual and sound effects that bring the town’s stories to life.
Victor Lowell Thomas Museum
At the Victor Lowell Thomas Museum, learn about the colorful history of exploration, ranching, gold mining, and railroading from the legendary Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Rush. You will be transported into the past as you explore the lives and relics of the gold mining era in the Pikes Peak region through artifacts, books, photos, and exhibits depicting life in Victor during its gold mining heyday. Immerse yourself in regional history with hands-on gold panning activities, walking tours, and guided bus tours.