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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. 

Learn about heritage and culture this October with Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD). On this page, discover resources, web links, and booklists for some of the nationally recognized holidays and heritage months. Explore National Disability Employment Awareness Month and Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
 

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) commemorates the contributions people with disabilities have made to workplaces and to the U.S. economy. Below, PPLD has compiled a list of books, resources, and websites with more information.

Booklist 

• The Power of Potential: How a Nontraditional Workforce Can Lead You to Run Your Business Better, by Tom D’Eri
• The Disability Experience: Working Toward Belonging, by Hannalora Leavitt and Belle Wuthrich

PPLD Resources

Disability Resources Guide
In this guide, find information about Assistive Technology at PPLD, along with books, websites, and local resources on disabilities.

Intelligent Lives, film on Kanopy
Intelligent Lives stars three pioneering young American adults with intellectual disabilities – Micah, Naieer, and Naomie – who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate high school, college, and the workforce.

Websites 

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)
From the Office of Disability Employment Policy, part of the U.S. Department of Labor, this website contains information on NDEAM, including resources for employers, key messages for the month, and 31 activities to commemorate NDEAM throughout October. 

The Campaign for Disability Employment
Learn ways that you and your organization can recognize National Disability Awareness Month, from the Campaign for Disability Employment.

The American Association of People with Disabilities 
The American Association of People with Disabilities works to increase the political and economic power of disabled people.

Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
DVR provides services which can include vocational guidance and counseling, short- or long-term training, job seeking skills, job development and coaching, assistive technology, and accommodations.

The Independence Center
The Independence Center provides information, resources, and support for disabled people to live, learn, work, play, and participate in civic life accessibly.

Job Accommodation Network
The Job Accommodation Network is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on job accommodations and disability employment issues.

Pikes Peak Workforce Center – Accessibility to Services
The Pikes Peak Workforce Center connects businesses with work-ready job seekers and employer-driven services. They help residents of El Paso & Teller counties with career transition, whether they are unemployed, underemployed, or employed.

Rocky Mountain ADA Center
The Rocky Mountain ADA Center provides information, guidance, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) tailored to meet the needs of individuals and organizations in our region. 
 

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Colorado Springs resides on land inhabited for thousands of years by indigenous peoples, including the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho Tribes. Artifacts found at Garden of the Gods, one of Colorado Springs’ most beautiful natural attractions, date back an astonishing 3,500 years. The following resources can be used to learn more about the original inhabitants of Colorado and other lands.

Booklist 

• Overdrive/Libby: Indigenous Peoples
• Warrior Artists: Historic Cheyenne and Kiowa Indian Ledger Art, by Herman J. Viola, Zotum Making Medicine, George P. Horse Capture, and Joseph D. Horse Capture.
• Halfbreed: the Remarkable True Story of George Bent, by David Fridtjof and Andrew Edward Masich
• Red twilight : the last free days of the Ute Indians, by Val FitzPatrick
• God is Red, by Vine Deloria
• Playing Indian, by Philip J. Deloria

PPLD Resources

Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes (Must have a library card that starts with a 4 to access outside of a Library location.)
Provides detailed studies of tribes from all over the United States and Canada, including small tribes and some that no longer exist. Gives detailed yet accessible information on history, religion, art, government, economy, daily life, and current social and political issues. 

Explore the Digital Collections 
Discover a wealth of historic photos and news articles from around the Pikes Peak region. A few possible search terms include Ute, Chipeta, Native American, American Indian, Severo, Sioux, and Chief Ouray.

Films on Kanopy

Use your library card to log into Kanopy and watch these films, or search “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” for more content:

• Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic
• Koneline: Our Land Beautiful

Websites

History Colorado – Native American History & Heritage
History Colorado documents and shares the living history of Indigenous peoples who originally inhabited this state. 

United Nations - International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
Explore information from the United Nations about the world’s Indigenous populations and the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. 

National Museum of the American Indian
Discover online resources, collections, and exhibits from the National Museum of the American Indian. 

Library of Congress - Living Nations, Living Words: A Guide for Educators
This guide from the Library of Congress offers teachers and other educators’ ideas for using U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo's signature project, "Living Nations, Living Words," in the classroom. 

National Park Service – Mesa Verde
Learn about Mesa Verde National Park, a World Heritage Site in Colorado where the cliff dwellings of Ancestral Pueblo people still stand.

National Park Service – Alaska Native Cultures
Find out about Alaska Native culture through stories, photos, history, and information.

Museum of Indigenous People
Explore an online gallery of photos and videos showcasing the arts and cultures of Indigenous Peoples. 

Your Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) library card gives you access to a world of possibilities. In addition to a wide selection of physical and digital items you can check out, you also have access to a variety of online resources and databases. This month, take a closer look at JobNow and our Author Alert services. 

JobNow

Get set up for success with the numerous resources available through JobNow. You will find live help from experts, resources to peruse, and even online courses to hone your skills. 

Polish your resume with live online help or submit it to their resume lab. They have a selection of winning resume templates and resume resources for you to explore as well, where you can find a good match for your career search. 

When you are ready to launch into the job search itself, visit their live online job coaching to support your search and application process. The job resources section offers helpful job search resources to support your efforts. 

Prepare for the interview with live online interview coaching and find key interview tips. For further interview preparation, explore the online interview resources, and live life skills support, and give yourself a competitive edge with skills preparation courses. 

If you are not sure what career is best for you, check out the expert job matching questionnaire and career assessment, or find out what college majors and careers match your skills and interests.  

For even more career search support, check out our Job Search & Career Tools guide. 

Author Alert Services

Reading is a personal experience, and when you find an author that resonates with you, you likely want to read more of their work. Follow authors with ease through our Author Alert services! Get text or email notifications when the Library orders new titles by your favorite authors. You can also set up alerts for performers and directors if there are music artists or film makers you want to hear about. 

Setting up an alert is a no-stress process. Go to our online catalog. Next, search our catalog for an author or performer you want to follow. Next to each result, look for the “Add Author Alert” button. You will then have the option to add your email address or phone number where you would like to receive alerts. Done!  

You can also modify what authors and performers you want to hear about. In our online catalog, you will find "Add Author Alert” on the left side of the page under Reading Resources. Next, you will be asked to provide the phone number or email address where you get author alerts. After that step, you can remove or add authors and performers in your alert list and browse lists of recent and popular alerts added by other users.  

From there, kick back and relax. You will receive an alert the next time the Library adds an item from the authors and performers you love!