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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 July, join us for a visit to Deckawoo Drive with Mercy Watson and Kate DiCamillo on Tue., July 9 at noon. DiCamillo will be sharing the stories behind the creation of her early chapter book series (grades Pre K – 2), the original Mercy Watson, and the follow up series, Tales from Deckawoo Drive. We will also be celebrating the publication of the final book in the Mercy Watson series! Register for the access link.
Next, get ready to survive the summer with Max Brallier, author of The Last Kids on Earth, on Tue., July 16 at noon. In this virtual event, Max will share how he came up with the different monsters and villains as well as the unique ways that Jack and his friends figure out how to defeat them. The Last Kids on Earth series is perfect for grades 3 – 6. Register for the access link.
After that, you’re invited to learn the power of poetry with Elizabeth Acevedo on Tue., July 23 at noon! In this exciting visit, Acevedo will discuss her work and provide a short reading from her National Book Award winning and New York Times bestselling young adult novel-in-verse, The Poet X. Register for the access link.
For the last Virtual Author Visit in July, join this year’s winner of the National Book Award for Young People's Literature, Dan Santat, as he inspires tweens and teens to tell their own stories through graphic novels. His winning book, A First Time for Everything, is a graphic memoir based on his own awkward middle school years and the trip to Europe that changed his life. Santat’s book is a good fit for grades 5 – 8. This Virtual Author Visit will be on Tue., July 30 at noon. 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
- Wed., Aug. 7 at noon: Your All Access Pass Behind the Scenes at the Space Station with Smithsonian Curator Dr. Jennifer Levasseur
- Thu., Aug. 15 at noon: The Golden Ticket to College Admissions Is Not What You Think: Redefining Success for Parents of Teens with Irena Smith, PhD
- Wed., Aug. 21 at 5 p.m.: An Exploration of Friendship, Reckoning, and Hope with novelist Shelby Van Pelt
Summertime in Colorado Springs is a great time to get out and enjoy the natural beauty of our area. It’s also a great time to explore our region’s history. Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) cardholders can get a taste of the past at no cost by checking out a Pikes Peak Culture Pass and stepping back in time for a day at Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site.
At this living history museum, guests can experience six historic sites interpreting indigenous and settler life in the Pikes Peak region from the late 1700s to the early 1900s. Guests will have the opportunity to engage with the cultural and agricultural stories of this diverse outdoor museum. Visit a homestead cabin, an 1870s Victorian home, a 1900s Edwardian house, and a working 19th century blacksmith shop. You can also enjoy meeting the horses, chickens, sheep, pigs, and a cow housed in Rock Ledge Ranch’s Victorian farm and garden.
“We are excited to partner with PPLD in serving broader communities who may know their local libraries but may not yet be acquainted with the Ranch,” says Daniel Christie, Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site office manager. “We also enjoy engaging our own guests with books and encouraging them towards a love of literature and learning so this makes for a great partnership.”
Take tours with historical interpreters dressed in period-appropriate attire, watch demonstrations, and experience hands-on learning activities. Immerse yourself in the daily lives of the people who lived, worked, hunted, herded, and raised families on this land at Rock Ledge Ranch.
Use your library card to check out no-cost passes to visit the ranch during their regular living history hours. Check out their special events throughout the summer and fall by visiting their website.
Your Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) library card is your key to access a world of resources that saves you money. One such resource is Freegal Music, where you can enjoy unlimited ad-free music streaming at no cost. Whether you’re into K-pop, classical, heavy metal, country, or other genres, this eLibrary resource has something to meet your listening needs.
You can search for your favorite artists and genres or explore a buffet of music that features over 40,000 labels spanning 100 countries. When you visit the Freegal homepage, you might take time to explore by clicking the Discover Albums or Explore Playlists buttons or take a chance on new and popular music in New Arrivals and Now Trending. Scroll down to find an assortment of playlists including featured songs, PPLD playlists, recommended playlists, and more.
As if access to unlimited music streaming music wasn’t enough, you can also download up to five songs every week to keep in your own collection.
Access Freegal by downloading the Freegal app on your mobile device, or by visiting the Freegal website on a computer.