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Graphic that states: Heritage & Culture This September!

Explore heritage and culture this September with Pikes Peak Library District. On this page, discover resources, web links, and booklists for some of the nationally recognized holidays and heritage months. Explore Patriot Day, Suicide Prevention Month, and Hispanic Heritage Month. 

 

 


American Flag graphic with the words "Patriots Day"

Patriot Day 

On September 11, 2001, the United States was changed forever when terrorist attacks targeting the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and the White House took the lives of 2,977 people. Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) has compiled a list of books and other resources about the anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001.  

Booklist:

PPLD Resources:

Freegal  

Hoopla 

Kanopy

Website Links:

9/11 Memorial & Museum

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is committed to providing relevant and engaging learning opportunities for students, teachers, families, and the public.  

Library of Congress

In this collection from the Library of Congress, you will find historic articles, photos, book suggestions, archived websites, and more showing how people across the nation responded to the devastation of 9/11.  

September 11 Digital Archive 

The September 11 Digital Archive uses electronic media to collect, preserve, and present the history of September 11, 2001 and its aftermath. The Archive contains more than 150,000 digital items, including emails and other electronic communications, first-hand stories, and digital images.

National Archives – Remembering 9/11

Discover individual moments telling the story of 9/11 through speeches, articles and blogs, a calendar of events, and more, curated by the National Archives. 


Ribbon with the words "suicide Prevention Month"

Suicide Prevention Month 

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Below, find a curated list of websites, Library resources, and books to raise awareness and for support.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 for support. 

If you are uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can use a live text chat option with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org

Booklists:

PPLD Resources: 

Tough Topics guide for teens – Mental Health and Suicide 
The resources in the Tough Topics guide are organized into a page for youth seeking support, as well as for parents and caregivers.

Community Resources at PPLD
If you find yourself in a difficult situation and aren’t sure where to turn, you are not alone. Pikes Peak Library District offers community resources information across the Library District. Our Community Resources Specialists are here to help you navigate and connect with services by providing referrals and information to get the help you need for your specific situation. Please note that these are not mental health services. 

Psychology & Behavioral Sciences database
This database contains full text information from more than 560 journals. It covers topics on emotional and behavioral characteristics, psychiatry and psychology, mental processes, anthropology, and observational and experimental methods. (Must have a library card that starts with a 4 to access outside of a Library location.) 

Helping Hands El Paso County Community Resources
Discover our subject guide filled with mental and behavioral health resources available in El Paso County. 

Websites

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention
The mission of Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention Partnership is to unite the community in addressing suicide in the Pikes Peak region through education, intervention, and postvention.

Colorado Crisis Services
Colorado Crisis Services provides free, confidential, and immediate support from trained professionals and peer specialists, available 24/7/365 by calling (844)493-8255 or texting TALK to 38255

Colorado Department of Public Health Resource Page 
Find Colorado mental health support information, how suicide impacts people in Colorado, suicide prevention, and resources to support you or your loved ones.

Weekends of Hope 
Throughout September, mental health advocates, organizations and community members nationwide come together to promote suicide prevention awareness. On this page, you will discover events from El Paso County Public Health and organizations across the community happening in September. 

Children’s Hospital Colorado: Why you should talk to kids about suicide, from the Children’s Hospital Colorado
This article from Children’s Hospital Colorado provides a parent and caregiver guide for identifying depression and talking to teens about mental health and suicide.

Children’s Hospital Colorado: Teen Suicide Prevention: Teaching Kids to Ask
Information provided by Children’s Hospital Colorado for parents and caregivers advising on warning signs for suicide among teens and discussing ways to empower teens with their mental health.

Child Mind Institute: Suicide and Self-Harm
Information about suicide prevention from the Child Mind Institute for parents and caregivers. 

National Alliance on Mental Health: Navigating through a mental health crisis guide
Learn about navigating mental health crisis in this informative guide by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. 


Hispanic Heritage Month Promotional Graphic

Hispanic Heritage Month 

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15 - Oct. 15, recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic and Latin Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. Below are resources where you can learn about and explore this heritage. 

Booklists

OverDrive and Libby
Use the Libby app or visit OverDrive’s website to browse this Hispanic Heritage booklist filled with eBooks and eAudiobooks for all ages. 

PPLD Resources

Hoopla
Discover music albums and eBooks for all ages by Hispanic creators or celebrating Hispanic heritage and culture on Hoopla. Download the app or use it in your web browser.

Kanopy films
Explore a variety of films and documentaries celebrating Hispanic heritage, culture, and creators in this curated Kanopy collection. You must set up a free Kanopy account to view. 

Spanish Language Materials

Reference Books and Magazines

For more titles and information, visit our Regional History & Genealogy department (located at Penrose Library) or search our catalog! Note that many of the above titles are only available at our Regional History & Genealogy department.

Websites

HispanicHeritageMonth.gov
Hosted by the Library of Congress, this site provides access to curated arts exhibits and collections, audio and video collections, and resources for Hispanic Heritage Month.

La Fiesta Bonita 
Read about a historic local heritage celebration from right here in El Paso County posted by our friends at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum.  

National Archives – Hispanic Heritage Month
Explore Hispanic Heritage Month with articles, online exhibits and resources, Presidential Libraries, and other resources from the National Archives.

National Today – Hispanic Heritage Month
Read the history of Hispanic Heritage Month as a nationally recognized celebration, find information about traditions across the U.S., and find fun highlights.

History.com
This overview of Hispanic Heritage Month includes the history of this national celebration, and offers supplemental videos, articles, and images for you to explore.

Colorado Experience 
Watch Justicia Y Libertad from Rocky Mountain PBS. 1968 was a pivotal year in American history: The Vietnam War hit its peak, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, and riots shook the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. At home in Colorado, it marked the birth of the Chicano Movement. These pivotal times brought political activist Corky Gonzalez to the forefront as an early pioneer of equal rights for Mexican Americans.

¡Colorín Colorado! Young Adult Booklists
Discover young adult booklists curated by ¡Colorín Colorado! featuring books on topics like immigration, growing up, and personal life stories, as well as booklists by genre.

¡Colorín Colorado! Children’s Booklists
Discover children’s booklists curated by ¡Colorín Colorado! featuring books about growing up Latino, histories and biographies, family stories, cultural traditions and holidays, and other topics.

Ballet Folklórico México Danza – Jalisco (San Franscisco Ethnic Dance Festival 2016
Watch as Ballet Folklórico México Danza brings Hispanic dances from Mexico to life in this festive video. 

PBS Kids Children’s Booklist
Find a list of picture books for children exploring Hispanic and Latinx heritage and culture curated by PBS Kids. 

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A microphone graphic with text that reads "Virtual Author Visits."

Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) is excited to bring you Virtual Author Visits in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. Join us and hear from bestselling authors and thought leaders on a range of topics, from puzzling science to epic fantasy to decluttering your home. Whether you are an avid or occasional reader, there is nothing quite like listening to insightful talks by authors you have read or new ones you are just discovering. You never know what will catch your interest. Attend these events at no cost from the comfort of home. 

In September, join us on Tue., Sept. 10 at noon for a moving conversation with Garrett Graff. An expert at capturing the human drama, Graff will speak about his body of work with particular focus on his oral histories, The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 and When the Sea Came Alive: An Oral History of D-Day. Register for the access link.

Next, tune in on Wed., Sept. 18 at noon to explore pathways back to open-minded living with author Nate Klemp discussing the core tenets in his new book Open: Living with an Expansive Mind in a Distracted World. With the avalanche of information we get every day, closing down our minds and hearts seems to be the only way to survive. But what if there’s another way? Register for the access link.

For the last Virtual Author Visit in September, join us on Sat., Sept. 21 at 5 p.m. as we chat with mega-bestselling author Liane Moriarty about her newest novel Here One Moment. The book is a brilliantly constructed tale that looks at free will and destiny, grief and love, and the endless struggle to maintain certainty and control in an uncertain world. Register for the access link.

Learn more and see upcoming authors on our Virtual Author Visits page or check out past Virtual Author Visits here!  


More Upcoming Virtual Author Visits 

Due to the extensive parking lot renovations taking place at East Library, Pikes Peak Library District has decided to temporarily close that location starting Mon., Sept. 16. East Library will remain closed until the renovations are complete which, as of this time, are expected to be finished near the end of September. Please stay tuned to ppld.org for more information.

In an effort to continue to serve the patrons of the busiest Library in the District, PPLD felt it could approach the East Library parking lot project in phases; that would have allowed us to still serve the community while we improved the parking lot. Now that construction has started, it has brought to light overwhelming parking constraints and safety concerns. To ensure everyone’s safety and to allow the work to be completed without issues, the Library will be closed for the duration of the project.

  • The book drop will be closed during the renovation process.
  • Holds on the East Library hold shelf at closing on Saturday will be given extended expiration dates, allowing seven days for pickup once the Library reopens.  If they would like their holds sooner, patrons can call (719) 531-6333 and select 0 for staff assistance in moving their holds. 
  • East Library checkouts that are due during the closure will have their due dates extended through the reopening of the Library.
  • East Library programs will be canceled as of Thu., Sept. 12. 
  • Library staff will be contacting meeting room and study room reservation holders to relocate or reschedule reservations.

The Library apologizes for any inconveniences during this time and appreciates your cooperation and understanding as we improve the parking lot and our patrons’ experiences at East Library.

A Google Earth map showing  East parking lot repair phase 1 through 5. Repairs start at the back of the lot and will end at the Union Blvd. access.

The project will be completed in five phases (see map): 

  • Prep Phase – concrete and curb repairs (not shown) 
  • Phase 1 (red) – back/northwest corner of lot 
  • Phase 2 (yellow) – north lot that includes the drive-through book drop 
  • Phase 3 (green) – front/east lot and a portion of access road outbound lane 
  • Phase 4 (blue) & Phase 5 (lavender) – access road inbound and outbound lanes between Library Lane and Union Blvd.