Get ready for a weekend of epic sports history! PPLD and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum have teamed up to offer a discount weekend at the museum for library cardholders. Share your library card (or card number) to enjoy interactive exhibits and an immersive and accessible look into the journey of Team USA’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
When:
- Sat., Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Sun., Jan. 29 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m
Present your library card at the museum for $10 admission. The PPLD Bookmobile will be on-site for library card registration and will also put on a special Storytime Saturday morning at 9 a.m.
Bookmobile on-site:
- Sat., Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. – noon
- Sun., Jan. 29 from 10 a.m. – noon
From a small reading room established 136 years ago, PPLD continues to evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of our sprawling community. Our service area covers 2,070 square miles of El Paso County with a population of nearly 700,000 – people of all ages and backgrounds with varying views and interests.
Thanks to taxpayer funding, we can continue to provide residents with access to 16 facilities, three mobile library services, and a large online hub of resources and services, all of which are inclusive and welcoming to everyone. The Library team strives to make its physical and digital spaces safe and respectful for diverse voices, perspectives, and pursuits; to foster community dialogue and connections; and to help people achieve their goals and dreams in life.
Overview and Process
In the winter and spring of 2022, our Board of Trustees and staff revisited PPLD’s mission statement and developed a vision statement and organizational values that best reflect our public library system and growing community in El Paso County.
This became our starting point to develop our new strategic plan for 2023 - 2025. After months of input from the public through surveys and in-person meetings, PPLD staff, Library patrons, and other community members and government officials, PPLD used the rich qualitative data it received from more than 1,600 responses to develop a new strategic plan for 2023 - 2025. Below are the six areas of focus the team identified that became the foundation of the plan.
Strategic Plan: Areas of Focus
PPLD publicly released this plan in detail on Dec. 6, 2022, so everyone could see where, why, and how PPLD will reinvest taxpayer dollars back into the community through 2025. We look forward to using our new strategic plan to fulfill our mission, uphold our values, and aim to achieve our vision for this great community.
View the complete plan here:
The shooting at Club Q on Sat., Nov. 19 was a senseless act of violence against the LGBTQ+ community that claimed the lives of 5 individuals, physically injured 18 others, and impacted many more. Our hearts go out to those lost and injured in the shooting, as well as those of our community who have lost friends and family. Our community, like others across the nation, is hurting following this tragedy.
Our mission is to cultivate spaces for belonging, personal growth, and strong communities, and our values include bringing people together. We understand that diversity, inclusivity, and equity are pillars of a strong and thriving community and we strive to support our entire community. PPLD joins the efforts of all whose interests are focused on building a strong community free of hatred and intolerance.
Below are resources you can access for more information and support.
Resources
Websites
- Colorado Crisis Services hotline: Call (844)493-8255 or text “TALK” to 38255 to speak with a trained counselor or professional. Counselors are also available at walk-in locations or online to chat between 4 p.m. and 12 a.m. Colorado Crisis Services is the statewide behavioral health crisis response system offering residents mental health, substance use or emotional crisis help, information and referrals. Its mission is to strengthen Colorado’s mental health system by providing Coloradans with greater access to crisis services wherever they are at 24/7/365 regardless of ability to pay. They offer walk-in, text, and call-in services for people in crisis.
- Colorado State Government Behavioral Health resources: Mental health resources from the Behavioral Health Administration of Colorado.
- Colorado Springs resource page: Community resources posted by Colorado Springs in support of the community following the shooting at Club Q.
- Colorado Public Radio: Resources and information on finding help and helping following the Club Q shooting.
- Colorado 211: A confidential and multilingual service connecting people to vital resources across the state. No matter where you live in Colorado, you can find information about resources in your local community.
- Diversus Health: Offers a 24/7 walk-in crisis center for crisis services and counseling for all ages, regardless of ability to pay. You can request an appointment online or visit 115 S. Parkside Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80910.
- Inside Out Youth Services: Provides support and resources for LGBTQ youth and are coordinating vigils for people to gather.
- Medicaid support services: Medicaid-insured members have access to behavioral health services or other supports, and we want them to get the care they need during this time. Call (719)598-1540 to contact them directly, or refer to care coordination via the online referral form.
- Mental health provider resources: A list of mental health providers offering therapy for those impacted. Many are providing sessions free or at a reduced charge.
- One Colorado: One Colorado is the state’s leading advocacy organization dedicated to advancing equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Coloradans and their families. They effectively advocate for LGBTQ Coloradans and their families by lobbying the General Assembly, the executive branch, and local governments on issues like safe schools, transgender equality, relationship recognition, and LGBTQ health and human services.
- The Trevor Project: A resource and suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ+ young people. The Trevor Project offers crisis services, peer support, and other services.
- Peak View Behavioral Health Assessment team: Individualized help for mental health treatment and other services. Visit them online or call (719)444-8484.