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We want to wish our 16th Annual Teen Art Contest winners a huge congratulations!
These teen artists were chosen by their fellow teens and PPLD staff. They were honored at an award ceremony in March at East Library.
To enter our 17th Annual Teen Art Contest, watch out for the announcement coming in late 2023.
Best in Show
Averie P.
Vista Ridge High School
"The Treasure of Memories"
Watercolors, watercolor pencils, and metallic watercolor
High School – First Place
Adelyn L.
TCA College Pathways
"Words Come to Life"
3-D Sculpture
High School – Second Place
Dominick P.
Fountain Fort Carson High School
"A Newborn Star’s Trip Down Memory Lanes"
Digital Art
Middle School – First Place
Evie S.
Monument Academy
“Backroad History”
Acrylic paint on canvas
Middle School – Second Place
Natalie M.
Evangelical Christian Academy
“The Invisible”
Watercolors, colored pencils, and acrylic paint
Coordinator’s Choice – Middle School
Evey W.
Mountain Ridge Middle School
“Memories in Bronze”
Pencil, Pen, & Marker on Paper
Coordinator’s Choice – Middle School
Kendall L.
Horizon Middle School
“My Mind's Eye”
Acrylic on Canvas
Coordinator’s Choice – High School
Ryleigh S.
St. Mary's High School
“Day in the Woods”
Outdoor concerts return to Pikes Peak Library District this summer! Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and join us in Manitou Springs and Monument for sunshine and music all summer long. You’ll hear a variety of music, from pop folk and big band music, to bluegrass, and beyond.
Manitou Springs Library Lawn Concert Series
Each concert from the Manitou Springs Lawn Concert Series takes place in front of the Manitou Springs Carnegie Library building, 701 Manitou Ave., located at the southwest corner of Manitou and Pawnee avenues. Wednesday nights from 6 – 7:30 p.m. June 6 – July 19. In case of inclement weather, concerts will be canceled.
- Wed., June 7 – Kicking off the series, enjoy the pop folk music of Edie Carey.
- Wed., June 14 – Enjoy the lovingly crafted music of Jeremy Facknitz for the second concert of the series.
- Wed., June 21 – For the third concert of the series, catch the big band sounds of the Academy Jazz Ensemble.
- Wed., June 28 – The fourth concert features the sounds of Tenderfoot Bluegrass Band.
- Wed., July 5 – Catch music by The Mitguards during the fifth concert of the summer.
- Wed., July 12 – Crystal and the Curious will perform during the sixth concert.
- Wed., July 19 – Wrap up the summer fun with music from A Carpenter’s Daughter.
Palmer Lake Library Village Green Concert Series
Celebrate summer with a live, three-concert series at the Palmer Lake Village Green! These concerts are no-cost, and everyone is welcome to attend. The Village Green and gazebo are located right next to the Palmer Lake Library, 66 Lower Glenway Street.
Keep an eye out for musician announcements later this summer!
Are you expecting and have so many questions? Join Pikes Peak Library District and Nurse-Family Partnership for a series of prenatal classes. Classes are every Wednesday at noon. Each week we will explore a different topic followed by a Q&A session.
*This is a six-week series, if you are interested in any of the other sessions. please be sure to register for those as well.
Each session attended earns you an entry for a prize to be given away at the conclusion of the series. You can earn up to six entries!
- Wed., June 7: Birth Plan, Labor & Delivery, and First Week
This session will cover birth plans and alternatives to medicines. We will discuss medications you may encounter in the hospital, the first week after birth, what happens in the hospital, and more! - Wed., June 14: Postpartum: The first six weeks
Wonder what life will be like the first six weeks after your baby is born? At this session, we will discuss healing, rest, and mental health in postpartum. Learn about self-care during pregnancy and after the baby's arrival, so you can take care of yourself, too! - Wed., June 21: Sleep and Purple Crying
Having trouble getting enough rest? Learn techniques to help you and your newborn rest. Discover what the Purple Crying Period is and tools you can use to help calm your baby. - Wed., June 28: Breastfeeding
This session will cover breastfeeding how-to's, latching, support, education, and more! - Wed., July 5: Nutrition and Infant Feeding
Do you wonder what nutrition looks like during pregnancy and postpartum? We will discuss nutrition for mom and also look at infant feeding. Learn about Women Infant Children (WIC) and the resources it offers. - Wed., July 12: Building Your Baby’s Brain
This week learn about brain development and the five early literacy practices to begin at birth. A representative from Peak Vista's First Visitor home visitation program will also provide information and answer questions.
Future Series Dates
- Oct. 4 - Nov. 8, 2023
Classical Music Live for kids is coming to East Library on Wed., June 14 at 9:30 a.m.! Families with children ages 2 – 12 will enjoy live music and opportunities to learn about classical music from professionals. Colorado College Summer Music Festival Fellows, pre-professional musicians from around the world will perform classical music pieces from their current study. There will be time to ask questions and visit with the fellows.
The musicians will also give a preview of the free Children’s Concert, Sergei Prokofiev’s classic Peter and the Wolf, which will take place in the Cornerstone Arts Center at Colorado College on Thu., June 15 at both 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. For kids ages 2 – 12 with their families.
The concerts at Colorado College on Thu., June 15 are free, but tickets are required. Visit their website to reserve tickets.
Library card holders can enjoy discounted admission at several local attractions this summer thanks to the Pikes Peak Culture Pass program. Grab your PPLD library card and take advantage of special discounted admission to several cultural attractions in the Pikes Peak region!
During Culture Pass Discount Days, between June 14 and August 4, library cardholders can visit a different Culture Pass partner for special discounted admission by simply showing their library card or card number.
Our mobile library will be at each Discount Days event in the morning. Join us for a special craft activity, a game, or story time. You can also sign up for a library card for discounted admission and check out materials while you’re there.
We are excited to team up with our Culture Pass partners so families can experience many of the great cultural attractions that are right in our backyard. With a new place to visit each week there’s something for everyone, and it can even count towards an activity for Summer Adventure presented by Children’s Hospital Colorado.
Weekly Culture Pass Discount Days Schedule
Be sure to check Culture Pass partner websites for hours of operation and to plan your visit.
| Date/Time | Location | Discount |
| Wed., June 14 | Rock Ledge Ranch | $4 admission |
| Fri., June 23 | Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College | FREE admission |
| Fri., June 30 | Pikes Peak Children’s Museum | 50% Off |
| Fri., July 7 | The Money Museum | FREE admission |
| Mon., July 10 | U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center | $8 admission |
| Wed., July 19 | Space Foundation Discovery Center | 50% Off |
| Wed., July 26 | ProRodeo Hall of Fame | 50% Off |
| Fri., Aug. 4 | U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum | 50% Off |
The Culture Pass Program recently added two new local attractions, the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum and US Olympic and Paralympic Training Center, and now offers 10 local attractions in El Paso County and Denver for library cardholders to visit by checking out a no-cost pass. Learn more and get started at ppld.org/culturepass.
Juneteenth, occurring annually on June 19, honors the end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865, two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. On that date, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas and freed enslaved people who had not been liberated following President Abraham Lincoln’s ruling. Celebrate this important history with the Library!
Programs
- Hand fans for Juneteenth
Celebrate Juneteenth with the Library by picking up a hand fan to keep you cool and commemorate this celebratory American holiday. - Take and Make: Juneteenth Recipe Postcards
Celebrate Juneteenth by picking up recipe cards at your favorite PPLD location! Recipes come from books in our collection and from the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). - Rocky Mountain Wa Shonaji Quilt Guild Trunk Show
Join the Rocky Mountain Wa Shonaji Quilt Guild for an informative program on the traditions of African American quilting. Registration required. Intended for ages 18+. - Rocky Mountain Wa Shonaji Quilt Guild Trunk Show
Join the Rocky Mountain Wa Shonaji Quilt Guild for an informative program on the traditions of African American quilting. Registration required. Intended for ages 18+.
Sat., June 24 from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. – Penrose Library
Booklists
Resources
- Basic Search - Gale In Context: U.S. History
Use the search word “Juneteenth” to explore the history of this holiday. - Basic Search: EBSCOhost (available for in-library use, or sign in with your library card if the card number starts with a 4)
Use the search word “Juneteenth” to find articles about Juneteenth. - Gale in Context Elementary for kids
Elementary students and homeschoolers can use the search term “Juneteenth” to learn more about this historic holiday.
Websites
- Lifetime Biography of Opal Lee for adults
Watch this Lifetime video and learn about Opal Lee, the grandmother of Juneteenth. - Kids activities for Juneteenth
Discover free activities and lesson plans for kids exploring different elements of Juneteenth. - Happy Toddler Playtime
Enjoy a selection of fun, easy crafts and activities for kids. - Juneteenth for Kids video
Kids will enjoy this video from Seed of Melanin Kids! exploring history in an accessible, fun way.
Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) recognizes the LGBTQIA+ community with Pride Month in June. Join us in celebrating individuality, diversity, and inclusion throughout the Pikes Peak region with programming and resources on this page. Explore booklists, LGBTQIA+ history, Library programming, and more.
Programs
- Pride Flag Painting
Show your pride! During this program you will paint a Pride flag with your choice of colors on a canvas board. We’ll include images of Pride flags you can reference. Please note that some sessions of this program are for teens only. - Rainbow Storytime
Join us in celebrating inclusion, diversity, and positivity at this interactive storytime for Pride Month. All ages are welcome; stories are geared towards preschool-aged children and older. Registration required.- Thu., June 8 from 10 – 10:30 a.m. – Library 21c
- Fri., June 9 from 10:30 – 11 a.m. – Ruth Holley Library
- Sat., June 10 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. – Manitou Springs Library
- Mon., June 12 from 2 – 2:30 p.m. – Monument Library
- Fri., June 16 from 10:30 - 11 a.m. – Penrose Library
- Sat., June 24 from 2 – 2:30 p.m. – Cheyenne Mountain Library
- Sat., June 24 from 11 a.m. - noon – East Library
- Fri., June 30 from 10:30 - 11 a.m. – Penrose Library
- Patrons of Influence: El Paso County’s Diverse Voices
The Library and Citizen-Powered Media celebrate local leaders who are providing positive influences in the areas of culture, business, and leadership in El Paso County. Panelists will discuss their shared interest and experiences on how organizations and communities are strengthened by diverse voices.
There will be a Question and Answer session following the panel discussion.
This is an in-person event. Registration is not required but strongly recommended. There is a Livestream option for this event (registration required).
Virtual Teen Programs
- Teen Tech: Ziggy Stardust 3D Designed Earrings Learn basic 3D modeling and celebrate bisexual icon David Bowie with a 3D-modeled Ziggy Stardust earring in this video.
- Teens Read: Books for Pride
Discover books centered around Pride in this video.
Booklists
Regional History and Genealogy Resources
-
The Pikes Peak Lavender Film Festival Records (archival collection MSS 0342)
Colorado Springs has a fascinating and often tumultuous history with the LGBTQIA+ community. When the Lavender Film Festival began in 2000, it was the only LGBTQIA+ film festival in the state of Colorado. The material in this collection provides valuable insight into this groundbreaking event.
The collection includes VHS tapes and DVDs of the films shown at the festival. Newspaper clippings provide a glimpse at how the event was promoted and, in turn, viewed by the local community. The opening remarks of the event give us an understanding about why the organizers felt the festival would help bring awareness and educate people about LGBTQIA+ issues and filmmaking. Various budgets and meeting minutes provide a detailed look into the work involved in bringing this innovative event to the community.
-
Colorado Springs Pride Center Records (archival collection MSS 0461)
The Colorado Springs Pride Center was one of the oldest LGBTQIA+ community centers in the United States. Founded in 1978, the Center offered assistance and support programs to people across the Pikes Peak region. In 2014 alone, more than 8,400 people contacted the Center for help. Topics covered in this collection include – but are not limited to – Amendment 2, marriage, hate crimes, local news, and legal cases. News releases, newspaper clippings, and scrapbooks show the highs and lows of what was happening in the community. This nonprofit organization served as a much-needed medium for marginalized voices in the Pikes Peak region.
Experience interesting research and knowledge about our local history at the 20th Annual Pikes Peak Regional History Symposium. This year’s theme is Art, Artists, & Entertainers. Presenters, selected from proposals submitted by academics, researchers, and the general public, will explore the artists and entertainers that have left a rich legacy in the Pikes Peak region.
Artists and their creativity are at the heart of a region’s culture. The Pikes Peak region, with plentiful natural beauty, serves as a rich well of inspiration. Artists and entertainers are motivated by a variety of reasons: producing something beautiful, communicating a message, eliciting an emotional response, creating the reality they feel, or enjoying the creative process.
Film Festival and Symposium
Join us as we kick off this year’s Pikes Peak Regional History Symposium with a film festival featuring three short films that tell the story of local artists and their impact on the Pikes Peak Region.
Films include:
- "Boardman Robinson: The Teacher"
- "Henry A. Clausen: The Danish American Wonder”
- "Not Quite Hollywood: The Alexander Film Company’s 'Anatomy of a Psycho'”
Sat., May 20 from 11 a.m. - noon – Penrose Library
In-person Symposium
Explore the history of our region’s creative heart through these live presentations. The in-person portion of this year’s Regional History Symposium will be at East Library, and a question and answer session will follow.
Sat., June 10 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m – East Library
Virtual Symposium
Part of this year’s symposium will be presented in a live virtual session. Learn about the Colorado Springs Civic Players, the Jaz Age in Colorado, and historic jewelers.
Mon., June 12 at 7 p.m. – online
Registration is required for the virtual presentation. A Zoom link will be sent to you once you register.
Join Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) and Citizen-Powered Media for Patrons of Influence – El Paso County’s Diverse voices as we celebrate patrons who are providing positive influences in the areas of culture, business, and leadership in El Paso County. A panel of local leaders will discuss their shared interest and experiences with the ways that diverse voices strengthen organizations and communities.
The panel discussion will be followed by a Question and Answer session.
Register here for this in-person event. Registration is not required but strongly recommended.
Register here for the Livestream event (registration required). You will receive a link to the Livestream after registering.
Wed., June 14 from 10 – 11 a.m. — Penrose Library
Supplies for this Take and Make will be available at area PPLD libraries beginning May 12, 2023.
Materials and Directions:
Use the provided paper or your own supplies to draw a shape to race around on your magnet track. You might choose a vehicle (car, truck, train, boat, etc.), an animal (cow, fish, turtle, dog, etc.), or something entirely different. It should be small enough to go on your paper plate (less than 2 inches). Attach a magnet to the back using double-sided tape or a glue dot.
Use your own markers, crayons, or colored pencils to create a course on your race track.
Use double-sided tape or a glue to to attach a magnet to the end of your craft stick. Before you glue, you need to make sure that the magnet on the car and the magnet on the stick attract rather than repel each other. If they repel each other, turn the magnet for the stick over before attaching.
Test your track! Set your shape (vehicle, animal, or other) on your track. Use the magnet on the craft stick under the plate to move and race the car.
Have fun!
Find the tutorial video at https://ppld.librarymarket.com/virtual-kidsmake-magnetic-race-tracks
Have an adventure with Pikes Peak Library District this summer! 2023 Summer Adventure presented by Children’s Hospital Colorado helps kids and teens stay engaged and active over the summer months. We know you’re looking for engaging ideas for activities, and we are here to help!
Anyone ages 0 - 18 can participate and win prizes through reading, moving, and imagining. Either participate in one of our programs or use one of our activity ideas!
June 1 – July 31, 2023
Click here or download the app to get signed up!
Activities and Programs for KIDS and TWEENS! (Ages 0 - 12)
Activities and Programs for TEENS! (Ages 12 - 18)
The adventure runs from June 1 - July 31. You can sign up for and start the program on
June 1 on the Beanstack app or at ppld.beanstack.org.
Click here for group registration information. Group registration is NOT recommended for families. A group must be five or more participants. Have more questions about Beanstack? Email beanstackhelp@ppld.org.
Be in the know: Sign up!
Receive a reminder email at the start of Summer Adventure and throughout June and July for summer programs, activities, and more for ages 0 - 18. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Event Calendars
Children's Programs Calendar
Tween Programs Calendar
Teen Programs Calendar
Game Cards
You can track your progress on the Beanstack app, pick up a game card at any Library location, or click here to download and print a physical game card from home!
How to play
- Register on Beanstack at ppld.beanstack.org, on the app, or in person at a Library location and receive a prize!
- Complete 30 days of activities (either Read, Move, or Imagine) from June 1 through July 31.
- Track your progress by filling in a spot on the game card or log a day in Beanstack for each day you complete an activity.
- Receive a second prize when you’ve completed 30 days of activities.
If you need assistance, call (719) 531-6333 or visit ppld.org/ask
Enliven your Zoom or other virtual conversations with Summer Adventure digital backgrounds: Download below!
Prizes
At registration, ages 0 - 11 can choose a book and ages 12 - 18 can select a book or a journal as their registration prize. After logging 30 days of reading and/or activities, ages 0 - 3 receive a bath toy, ages 4 - 11 receive a reading award medal, and ages 12 - 18 receive a second book or journal.
Survey
Finished with the program? Please take our survey and answer a few questions to make next year’s program even better!
Enter to win 4 FREE tickets to the COS Switchbacks game at Weidner Field on Fri., June 2.
Join us in our special PPLD Night section as we cheer on the home team. Meet Switchbacks mascot Ziggy and get the kiddos their very own limited edition library card featuring Switchbacks mascot Ziggy!
Winners will be notified by email. Your tickets should be sent to you from SeatGeek by May 25 so be on the lookout for electronic tickets in your inbox (or spam folder).
The Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) has selected the 2023 recipients of the Frank Waters Award and the Golden Quill Award. These literary awards will be presented at a luncheon on Sat., June 3 at 11:30 a.m. at the Doubletree Hotel. The luncheon is open to the public, and tickets can be purchased through the Friends of the PPLD website.
The 2023 Frank Waters Award will be presented to a husband-and-wife duo who have authored dozens of books together, W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O’Neal Gear. The award recognizes excellence in writing that explores the spirit of the West through people, culture, and landscape.
Author Barbara Nickless, known for writing best-selling crime novels, will be presented with the 2023 Golden Quill Award. This literary award honors local authors who exhibit excellence in writing and storytelling.
For the first time, the Friends will also give the Best Friend Award to music legend and philanthropist Peggy Shivers, who has been a longtime, dedicated supporter of the Library District, including donating a large collection of books by Black authors and about Black history to its collection.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Friends, which supports Library programming and needs.
Celebrate Colorado authors with Pikes Peak Library District at the 17th Annual Mountain of Authors program! This annual event is a great opportunity to explore the world of publishing and writing and also to get familiar with Colorado authors to add to your reading list. Meet local authors at the author showcase and take part in opportunities for book signings and purchases. You will also hear from keynote speaker Alan Prendergast, author of Gangbuster: One Man's Battle Against Crime, Corruption, and the Klan.
Sat., May 6 from noon – 4:30 p.m. at Library 21c
Schedule
- Noon - Doors open and Local Author Showcase begins
- 1 p.m. - Panel Presentation featuring Patricia Raybon, Marc Cameron, and Randi Samuelson-Brown
- 2 p.m. - Local Author Showcase
- 3 p.m. - Keynote Address by Alan Prendergast, followed by Audience Q&A
- 4 p.m. - Book signing and Local Author Showcase
For more information, as well as bios about presenters, visit the event page.
Look who’s got a new Library Card!
It’s our favorite soccer star, Ziggy, the mascot for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks!
Get your special limited-edition library card featuring Ziggy just in time for Summer Adventure. Stop by your nearest library beginning Thu., June 1 to get yours. Hurry! These cards won’t last long.
PPLD is a Ziggy Kids Club sponsor, a program designed to connect kids with soccer and have fun all season long!
Limited-edition Ziggy library cards
Bikes are a unique vehicle that open opportunities for commuting, exercise, and exploration. Whether you bike for your primary mode of transportation or for recreation, celebrate your ride with the Library during Bike Month this May!
Resources
- Bike Safety from NHTSA
Explore bicycle safety with excellent videos suitable for all languages and children from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. - Bike Safety from NSC
Find out how to enjoy your bike ride safely with resources from the National Safety Council. - Kids on Bikes
Not sure where to head next? Explore these biking maps:
Join Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) in honoring and celebrating our military community members in May for Military Appreciation Month. We thank military service members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, Space Force, and National Guard and their families for their service and commitment. Below is one way that PPLD is celebrating our military community.
Programs
- Postcard for Patriots
A postcard may be a little thing, but the impact of receiving one can be heartwarming. For National Military Appreciation Month, enjoy the simple yet profound act of sending a postcard to the Military Member in your life or community. Stop by your local Library location during the month of May to pick up a no-cost postcard to share with the patriot you respect and honor (while supplies last).
May 1 – May 31
Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month with Pikes Peak Library District! Explore the resources on this page recognizing the culture, experiences, and contributions of the Jewish American community.
Resources
- Hoopla
Explore Jewish stories and experiences in eBooks, music, movies, and more. - American Jewish Desk Reference
Learn more about Jewish heritage with this reference book from the American Jewish Historical Society. - Kanopy
Discover films and documentaries celebrating Jewish Americans on Kanopy.
Regional History and Genealogy Resources (18+)
- Archival Collections:
- Colorado Springs Jewish History Project Records, 1920-2013 (Archival Collection MSS 0419) The Colorado Springs Jewish History Project records consist of oral history interviews, photographs, and a documentary film.
- Mohl Family Papers, 1905 - 1997 (Archival Collection MSS 0415) and Mohl Family Photographs (Digital Photograph Collection)
Leo and Hertha Mohl were long-time residents of Colorado Springs, small business owners, dairy farmers, and world travelers. They were also some of the first European war refugees to live in Colorado Springs.
Hertha Mohl was born in Vienna, Austria, and worked as a dressmaker until, after almost getting caught passing out anti-Nazi literature, she smuggled herself into England. While living in London, Hertha served in the British Air Raid Precaution Service. Also born in Vienna, Leo Mohl served as secretary of the trade union movement. Leo was taken to concentration camps in Dachau and Buchenwald for his political activities. In 1939, he was released and immigrated to England, where he met Hertha.
The Mohls immigrated to the United States in 1940, eventually making their way to Colorado Springs. They raised dairy cows on farmland that is now owned by the Air Force Academy, operated a bookstore called The Book Home, and owned a reweaving shop called Master Weavers of America.
- Various Photographs (from PPLD’s Digital Photograph Collection) Photographs of the Colorado Springs Jewish Community.
- Books from Regional History and Genealogy (Books from Regional History and Genealogy)
- Exploring Jewish Colorado by Phil Goodstein
- A Colorado Jewish family album, 1859-1992 by Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society
- A history of Jewish life in Colorado Springs (DVD – also available for checkout)
- Getting started in Jewish genealogy by Gary Mokotoff
- L'chaim: a guide to Jewish genealogical research by Zoe Henry
- Dr. Charles David Spivak: a Jewish immigrant and the American tuberculosis movement by Jeanne E. Abrams
- Jewish women pioneering the frontier trail: a history in the American West by Jeanne E. Abrams
- A guide to the Jewish Rockies, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming by Amy Shapiro
Websites
- Jewish American Heritage Month – Library of Congress
- Jewish American Heritage Month – National Archives
- Jewish American Heritage Month – National Parks Service (National Register of Historic Places)
- Jewish Americans - PBS.
Watch clips and outtakes from the 3-part PBS documentary series The Jewish Americans. This collection includes resources for further investigation, lesson plans for high school educators, and opportunities to share your own story. Recommended for high school and older. - Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
Go on a virtual tour of many of the fascinating exhibits now available online.
What’s better than cheering on your local soccer team? Cheering them on with Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD), of course!
Fri., June 2 is PPLD Night at the Switchbacks. Join the fun! Show your library card (or card number) for special discounted $15 tickets to the June 2 game. Get your tickets at the box office in advance or at the gates that night. Kids will also have the opportunity to get a limited-edition library card with Switchbacks Mascot Ziggy on it (more information below). We hope to see you at the match!
Weidner Field: Fri., June 2. The fun begins in the Fan Zone at 5 p.m.
The Library will join the Switchbacks at Weidner Field once again on Fri., July 14. Library card holders may receive special discounted $15 tickets at the gate in advance or that night. Stop by and take a commemorative photo with Ziggy in the Fan Zone before the game or meet us in the Kids Zone after the game starts.
Weidner Field: Fri., July 14. The fun begins in the Fan Zone at 5 p.m.
Look who’s got a new Library Card!
If you’re going to the June 2 game, you can meet Ziggy and get the kiddos a limited-edition special Ziggy Library card just in time for Summer Adventure! We’ll be in the Kids Zone during the game, stop by to say hello and get a Ziggy card. These special library cards will also be available at PPLD locations beginning June 1, while supplies last.
PPLD is a Ziggy Kids Club sponsor, a program designed to connect kids with soccer and have fun all season long!
Limited-edition Ziggy library cards
Throughout May, the Library is celebrating Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, recognizing the cultures, experiences, and contributions of the AAPI community. Join us in celebrating with the book lists and resources on this page.
Programs
- Library Explorers: Fun with Chinese Calligraphy
Our Library Explorers are invited to practice writing Chinese Calligraphy for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with the calligraphy practice sheets found in the Library Explorer kits in May. Learn more about the Library Explorers program here.
Booklists
Resources
- Kanopy
Enjoy films and documentaries by or celebrating AAPI people. - Hoopla
Explore Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with movies and TV shows on Hoopla. - CultureGrams
Experience the world through cultural information on more than 200 countries with CultureGrams and other resources in our Countries & Cultures Guide. In CultureGrams, explore all the U.S. states in colorful, engaging reports. - Colorado Springs Chinese Cultural Institute
Learn about opportunities to connect with Chinese culture here in Colorado Springs with the Colorado Springs Chinese Cultural Institute. - Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Resources for Teachers
This collection of lessons and resources for grades K – 12 social studies, literature, and the arts will help educators explore AAPI heritage with their students. - National Park Service
Planning a vacation? Take in some of these historical sites from the National Park Service. - Asian Art Museum
Find activities for kids and families and explore AAPI heritage in creative ways. - Hmong flute/qeej
Learn about Asian and Pacific Island Instruments in this video. - Japanese taiko drumming
Watch professional Japanese taiko drummers perform. - Traditional Korean music
Jump into the world of traditional Korean music with this video from the Musical Instrument Museum of Brussels.
Regional History & Genealogy Resources:
- Books from the Carnegie Library - Special Collections (Some titles are available for checkout from other library locations)
- Voices from Colorado: perspectives of Asian Pacific Americans by Nestor J. Mercado
- Asian American genealogical sourcebook by Paula K. Byers
- Asians in Colorado: a history of persecution and perseverance in the Centennial State by William Wei
- Chinaman's chance: the Chinese on the Rocky Mountain mining frontier by Liping Zhu
- The road to Chinese exclusion: the Denver riot, 1880 election, and rise of the West by Liping Zhu
- Chin Lin Sou: Chinese-American leader by Janet L. Taggart
Join Pikes Peak Library District as we welcome UCCS Theatreworks for Free-For-All PERICLES, directed by Max Shulman.
In May, June, and July of 2023, Free-For-All shares a 75-minute PERICLES, a fast-paced journey of heroes, villains, shipwrecks, pirates, jousting, and more in a sweeping adventure that was Shakespeare's most popular play for over 100 years!
Summer is here! We have a wide variety of no-cost events and activities for teens, no matter what they are interested in.
With locations throughout Colorado Springs and El Paso County, the Library provides opportunities for teens to learn new skills like coding or get artistic with Spray Paint Designs. Additionally, they will have opportunities to stay in touch with friends through sessions of laser tag or life-sized games!
Teen Activities typically happen in the afternoon or on the weekend but check the links below to see all the dates, times, and locations in our program calendar.
Check out our Summer 2023 programs at Pikes Peak Library District below!
Red Cross Babysitters Training Class
*Spots are limited – reservation is required!*
As the nation's leader in babysitting classes and childcare training, the American Red Cross can help you become a capable, confident babysitter that families love. Topics covered range from childcare to entrepreneurship and workforce readiness!
Laser Tag
Play laser tag at the Library! Ages 12 - 18 only. Waivers and registration are required.
Life-Size Game Night: Intergenerational Edition
Bring the whole family and enjoy a twist on your standard game night using our popular life-sized board games! There will be Life-Size Candyland, Life-Size Battleship, and Life-Size Clue to choose from. Team up by generation or mix it up for an intergenerational advantage and play all together now!
Nailed It! Intergenerational Edition
*ONE HOUR ON THE CLOCK!!* Come to the Library and see who nails it! Team up with or compete against older and younger folks to show off your decorating skills! Just like the popular Netflix series with by the same name, we challenge you to replicate professional cupcake designs using provided supplies.
Coding Series: Music
Beginners can learn to code with Google in Scratch! Using an evaluated curriculum from the computer scientists at Google, youth will learn basic computational thinking concepts through block coding. This session's theme is Music.
Colorado Flag Pride Painting
Show your Colorado and LGBTQIA+ pride by painting a version of the Colorado Flag with Pride colors!
Escape Room: Let's Taco 'bout Books
We love tacos, so we stepped into what we thought was a taco truck. Instead, we find ourselves in the middle of what looks like a bookmobile. While we do love books as much as tacos, everything in this mobile library seems to be twisted, upside-down, and nothing makes sense. We tried opening one of the books, but they all seemed out of reach. We are in a library that won’t let us read any of the books and there are no tacos!
Solve the clues to break out of the bookmobile and get some tacos in this classic escape room!
Introduction to Machine Learning
How does Artificial Intelligence become, well, intelligent? In this introductory session, you will find out how machines learn as well as use Teachable Machine by Google to create your own machine learning model.
Learn to Crochet: Amigurumi Yeti/Sasquatch
In this three-part series, you will learn the basics of crochet while completing a cute amigurumi yeti or sasquatch! This program is appropriate for complete beginners.
Learn to Sew: Drawstring Bags
Learn to thread the needle and do basic troubleshooting maneuvers on Brother sewing machines before creating your own drawstring bag.
Spray Paint - Greek Mythology
Create a Greek Mythology inspired art project using stencils and spray paint! Wear clothing, you are okay with getting messy. Ages 12 - 18.
Knights of Columbus Hall, Pikes Peak Library District’s (PPLD) community event facility, is being renamed to The Hall at PPLD. We have adopted the new name to better reflect how this event space supports the community by offering a large public space downtown for community members to hold meetings, performances, classes, and beyond at no cost. The name is already in effect, and new building signage was installed on Wed., April 12 reflecting the name change.
The building was opened in 1928 and is one of the last buildings designed by Thomas MacLaren, one of Colorado’s well-known historical architects. The Knights of Columbus used the building as a meeting hall, but it was also dedicated to civic events. Its current incarnation is a return to its original intended purpose. Bazaars, fiestas, fairs, public lectures, dancing and card parties, boxing matches, and wrestling matches were some of the events that happened in the building in the early days. St. Mary’s High School used the building extensively during this time, and held dances, social events and basketball games in the building.
The city of Colorado Springs eventually bought the building, and it served as home to the Colorado Springs Pioneer’s Museum from 1937 – 1977.
PPLD purchased the building in 1996 and has used it for a variety of purposes including office space and collection management. Today, we host a variety of Library programs at the Hall at PPLD that are designed to provide community members with resources, from entertainment and small business resources, to food security and housing assistance. A few regular events hosted in this venue include The Story Project, Pikes Peak Poet Laureate, Community Exchange, and numerous community-sponsored events.
Presenting an exciting, sensory-friendly announcement!
We have published short Sensory Tour Videos for each Library location on our website. These videos offer a sensory-friendly way for children with autism and sensory processing needs and their families to preview each of our libraries and prepare for a successful visit. Each video makes our libraries more accessible and enjoyable for children with sensory needs.
You will find these videos on each library’s location page on our website.
In each video, our friendly Family & Children’s Services staff discuss how to identify Library staff members, request sensory accommodation kits, return materials, and anything else you might expect when you visit that library. Children will enjoy visiting the children’s section through the comfort of their screen before visiting in person.
Everyone is always welcome at the Library!
Pikes Peak Library District will host an opening reception for Americans and the Holocaust, a traveling exhibition from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum that examines the motives, pressures, and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war, and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s.
The American Library Association says of this exhibit:
Based on extensive new research of that period, Americans and the Holocaust addresses important themes in American history, exploring the many factors — including the Great Depression, isolationism, xenophobia, racism and antisemitism — that influenced decisions made by the U.S. government, the news media, organizations, and individuals as they responded to Nazism. This exhibition will challenge the commonly held assumptions that Americans knew little and did nothing about the Nazi persecution and murder of Jews as the Holocaust unfolded.
Drawing on a remarkable collection of primary sources from the 1930s and 1940s, the exhibition focuses on the stories of individuals and groups of Americans who took action in response to Nazism. It will challenge visitors to consider the responsibilities and obstacles faced by individuals — from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to everyday Americans — who made difficult choices, sought to effect change, and, in a few cases, took significant risks to help victims of Nazism even as rescue never became a government priority.
We are honored to be selected as one of 50 U.S. libraries to present the touring version of the Americans and the Holocaust special exhibition, which opened in April 2018 at the Museum in Washington, D.C., during the Museum’s 25th anniversary.
Exhibit Details:
- See the exhibit mid-September through mid-October at East Library.
- To learn more about the exhibition itself, visit ushmm.org/americans-ala.
- More information, including tour opportunities and program offerings, will be announced at a later date. If you are interested in receiving the most up-to-date information, sign up here (Scroll down and select “Americans and the Holocaust Traveling Exhibit and Programs”).
Contact:
- Questions? Contact us at exhibit@ppld.org.
Americans and the Holocaust: A Traveling Exhibition for Libraries is made possible by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association.