Free materials for this Take and Make will be available at area PPLD libraries beginning Dec. 9, 2023.

Materials provided:
Spool
Washer
Rubber Band
Toothpicks
Materials you provide:
Scissors
Tape
Markers, if desired
Directions: (see additional pictures in the pdf link below)
1. Use markers to decorate the spool, if desired.
2. Push the rubber band through the center of the spool. Use a toothpick to help poke it through if needed.
3. Break a toothpick, slide it through one rubber band loop, and secure it to the spool with tape.
4. Slide the washer onto the rubber band loop at the other end of the spool.
5. Insert a toothpick through the loop.
6. Wind the toothpick.
7. Set it down on a smooth surface and let go. Watch it race or spin!
8. Experiment with how you can adjust it to make it go straighter or farther. You can also race your friends.

How does your brain understand how far away something is? This experiment shows how your eyes work together to perceive distance.

Our eyes both face the same direction. Because they do, they produce slightly different views of the same object. Our brains are able to use this overlapping information (retinal disparity) to figure out how far away an object is. (If our eyes were on the sides of our heads like some animals, we would have poor depth perception.)

Try this: Close one eye and focus on a nearby object. Switch which eye is open and focus on the object again. You should see the object shift. Try it again with a faraway object. When you use just one eye, your brain can’t use feedback from both eyes to discern depth perception.

Materials needed:
Pipe cleaners – use half for each
Clay
Scissors
Pencils

Instructions:
1. Cut your full pipe cleaner in half. Use ½ pipe cleaner for each.
2. Bend the end of a pipe cleaner so you have a circle that’s slightly bigger than a pencil. Twist it to secure.
3. Use a bit of clay to make a stand for the pipe cleaner.
4. Make 2 more pipe cleaner stands with slightly bigger circles. You should have 3 pipe cleaners on stands.
5. Test your depth perception – Place the pipe cleaner with the largest opening on a table in front of you so you cannot see the opening. Close one eye and try to put the pencil through the hole. Try it again with both eyes open. Which is easier? Try it with each sized hole and see the difference.
6. If this is too easy, try getting a needle and thread and threading the needle with one eye closed!

Based on: https://www.kiwico.com/diy/stem/anatomy-biology/seeing-depth-perception

Interested in seeing some amazing experiments from up-and-coming scientists? Visit our annual Homeschool Science Fair to browse and chat with project creators. Kids can fill out a "What I learned" and receive a prize! Come and discover something new, or be inspired for next year!

• When: Fri., Feb. 17 at 10 a.m
• Where: The Venue at Library 21c
• Registration: Open from Thu., Dec. 15 at midnight to Mon., Feb. 13 at 10 p.m.

Our annual Homeschool Science Fair is open to grades K-12! Homeschool students are invited to demonstrate a science project for other families. There are no rules or guidelines for this non-competitive event, and planning is left up to individual families.

Registration required. Students will arrive by 9:15 a.m., and the event will be open to the public from 10 - 11:30 a.m.

Need help planning your project? Download our Science Fair How-Tos Document!

Be the Hero: Empowered and Impactful

Submissions open from Dec. 1, 2022 - Wed., March 1, 2023.

The Awards Ceremony

April 29, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.

Knights of Columbus Hall

20 W. Pikes Peak Ave.

What superpower, real or imagined, would you use to change the world?

Questions to ask yourself as you write your poem:

• Can we see, smell, hear, and taste the imagery in your poem?
• Have you used rich vocabulary that tells us a story or paints a picture?
• Does your poem reflect the theme?

Six winners will receive a book and $50 each! The contest is open to all fourth and fifth graders in the Pikes Peak region.

Eligibility

Open to all fourth and fifth graders in the Pikes Peak region.

Contest Rules

The awards will be announced in April 2023.

1. One entry per student. Teachers are urged to review poems and submit no more than five per class.
2. Each poem must be the original work of the contestant.
3. Poems will be judged on originality, including poem title and adherence to the theme.
4. Submit two typed, double-spaced copies of each poem on 8 ½” x 11” paper (no handwritten submissions or illustrations will be accepted). Include ON A SEPARATE PIECE OF PAPER: name, telephone number, home address, school name and address, and teacher and principal’s names. Poems will not be returned. Please keep a copy.
5. Entries must be postmarked by Wed., March 1, 2023. Submission of a poem constitutes full permission to exhibit, use, and publish the poem for any purpose – printed or electronic media – and to publish the name, school, and photograph of the student without compensation.

Entries may be mailed to:

The Jean Ciavonne Poetry Contest

c/o Christa Funke

Pikes Peak Library District

P.O. Box 1579

Colorado Springs, CO 80901-1579

Or email entries, following guidelines above to: cfunke@ppld.org

Questions? Please call Christa Funke at (719)531-6333 x 6331 or email cfunke@ppld.org

Congratulations to our 2022 winners!

• Kinsley Fritzges, 5^th grade, Mountain View Academy - "Bravery" - video
• Autumn Holmberg, 5^th grade, The Classical Academy Central - "Wintering Wisdom" - video
• Bianca Jennings, 5^th grade, James Irwin Charter Elementary - "Skin" - video
• Georgia Stricklin, 4^th grade, The Classical Academy Central - "The Four Elements" - video
• Julia Tiffany, 5^th grade, The Classical Academy Central - "Bravery Grows Like a Tree" - video
• Maddie Westmoreland, 5^th grade, Lewis-Palmer Elementary School - An Unexpected Challenge" - video

Our theme for this year's Teen Art Contest is Memory. Please submit a piece inspired by this theme.

Memories can fool us, cause us grief, or bring us great comfort. Memory of the past can keep us from what we want in the future or inspire us to great heights. Create a piece inspired by the theme that shares your thoughts on Memory or expresses what Memory means to you and enter it to win a prize!

Entries are judged by other teens, along with one award that is judged by Library staff. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Tue., March 21 at 6 p.m. at East Library. All entries accepted into the show will be on display in April at East Library, Penrose Library, or Library 21c.

Artwork can be any type of two-dimensional art form, as long as we can hang it on the wall. Frames or mattes are recommended to help safeguard your artwork. Your submission should be able to support the attachment of wire with either a sawtooth hook or D-rings.

**PPLD will supply hanging wire and attach frame hooks upon receiving submissions unless the frame is already properly wired and able to be hung.

Award Categories

Award categories include: 1st place, second place, and Coordinator's Choice for Middle School; 1st place, second place, and Coordinator's Choice for High School; One overall Best in Show.

Important Dates

• Sign up online from Thu., Dec. 1 - Tue., Feb. 21
• Drop off your artwork from Fri., Feb. 17 – Tue., Feb. 21
• Awards Ceremony on Tue., March 21 at 6 p.m. at East Library Community Room
• Art on display throughout April
• Art pickup the first week of May

Guidelines

• All entries must have the following securely taped (NOT paper clipped) to OR written on the back:
  • Name:
  • Grade
  • Artwork Title (Make sure this matches the online entry):
  • Display/Pick-up Location (choose East Library, Penrose Library, or Library 21c):
• Must bring your artwork to a PPLD library location between Fri., Feb. 17 - Tue., Feb. 21. Drop-off locations:
  • Calhan Library
  • Cheyenne Mountain Library
  • East Library
  • Fountain Library
  • High Prairie Library
  • Library 21c
  • Monument Library
  • Palmer Lake Library
  • Ruth Holley Library
• Must be ages 12 - 19 at time of submission
• Must be an El Paso County resident
• Only one entry per person
• Jurors reserve the right to decline inappropriate entries
• Participants must complete the online entry form
• Artwork can be any type of two-dimensional art form, as long as we can hang it on the wall.

Entry form

Complete the online entry form here

FAQs

• When will I know if I have won?

We will notify award winners by mid-March. All participants and their friends and family are invited to the Awards Ceremony on Tue., March 21 at 6 p.m. in the East Library Community Room regardless of winning an award.

• Will my artwork be displayed?

Yes! You can choose from one of three locations to have your artwork displayed during the month of April. Locations are Penrose Library, East Library, or Library 21c.

• When and where can I pick up my artwork?

The first week of May at the library you selected to have it displayed. An email will be sent in April with specific details.

• What are the prizes?

We award prizes for Coordinator’s Choice, First place, and Second place for the high school and middle school age groups. We also award a prize for Best in Show, which is the piece that received the highest score out of both the middle and high school categories. In the past, winners received a drawing mannequin and gift card to Meininger’s Art Supply store.

• What can I do to improve my chances of winning?

• Work with the theme—It doesn’t have to be a literal interpretation, but we do look for pieces that have been inspired by the theme in some way. Your paragraph describing your piece can have a big impact on this.
• Stand out! Whether through subject matter or having an unusual take on the theme, we notice unique entries more. For example, we tend to get a lot of close-ups on eyes, so they tend to not stand out as much.
• Have fun! Don’t view it as an assignment or chore. We can tell when someone submits a piece they are passionate about – so do something that you love!

• Do I have to have a frame?

No, but we highly encourage it. Pieces are not judged on having a frame or not, but frames or mattes help protect your artwork during storage and transportation and make it easier to hang your piece.

• I'm a teacher with an amazing class, can I enter them?

Yes! If you are a teacher that would like to enter a class of students, you can fill out the Excel Spreadsheet linked below to complete one entry form for all of your students. You will be responsible for communicating with participants about the award ceremony and art pick-up.

• My question wasn’t answered here.

Email Becca at rphilipsen@ppld.org

Few institutions are charged with serving people of all ages and walks of life with relevant and entertaining programs, community spaces, and materials as is your public library. We are a lifeline to technology, online resources for employment, and continuing education for everyone in the Pikes Peak region. Throughout December, make a difference in our community by donating to the PPLD Foundation through the Give! Campaign. Your contributions will help us continue to serve the unique needs of our growing community in 2023.

The PPLD Foundation has supported Pikes Peak Library District since 2004, helping to fund programs, projects, equipment, and materials for our community through charitable donations. As they participate in the year-end Give! campaign, they invite you to show your continued support of the Library and thank you for your kind donation. 

Donate

To make a charitable contribution, please visit the Foundation’s Donate page.

December is packed with festive celebrations, including Hannukah, winter solstice, Christmas, Kwanza, and others. It’s a busy time for many, with decorating, meal prep, purchasing gifts, visiting family, and attending community celebrations. Pikes Peak Library District has all the programs, tools, and resources you need to make the best of the holiday season, including cookbooks and classes, DIY gifts, holiday book lists, and more!  

Resources

• Cookbooks
• Holiday movies, music, and books on Hoopla
• Makerspace classes: use your new knowledge to make custom gifts
• Audio and video studio equipment for DIY memories

Websites

• December 2022 Holidays: Discover national, religious, and playful holidays you might not know happen in December!

Friends of PPLD Bookstore

Get gifts for your family while supporting your Library! The Friends sponsors and supports numerous programs and events to further the enjoyment of reading and love for books for all individuals. The Friends of PPLD are best known for their volunteerism, their bookstores in each Library (you never know what you will find in the ever-changing inventory of previously-read books and magazines) and, of course, the bi-annual Friends Book Sales.

Stop by the Friends store at the Library and find books, CDs, Movies, Magazines, and more from $.25 to $3. Or shop for specialty items online!

Do you love books, reading, and libraries? Have you considered becoming involved in your community? One easy step covers it all! Join the Friends Now!

Programs

• Share Classes with Elayne Prechtel

  Don't miss the opportunity to come together as a community for "share-worthy" recipes, tips, and more in these fun, interactive virtual classes from the kitchen presented by Elayne Prechtel, award winning author, photographer, and creator of the soul-filled mission, Sharing Life, Love, and Food.

  • Hot Cocoa Bombs: an in-person demonstration on mastering the art of hot cocoa bombs. Tasty samples provided. Registration required.
  • Penrose Library: Mon., Dec. 5 from 1 - 2 p.m.

• Makerspace Holiday Open Houses

  Drop by the makerspaces to create some fun holiday crafts and see what these creative spaces have to offer! All ages welcome. All materials provided.

  • East Library: Sat., Dec. 3 from 2 - 5 p.m.
  • Sand Creek Library: Thu., Dec. 8 from 4 - 7 p.m.
  • Library 21c: Fri., Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Ornament Making

  Learn to make two cute ornaments to have on display in your home for the holidays - a ribbon candy ornament made with ribbon and bells, and a yarn bird ornament.

  • Manitou Springs Library: Sat., Nov. 19 from 1 - 2:30 p.m.
  • Library 21c: Sat., Nov. 19 from 2 - 3:30 p.m.
  • High Prairie Library: Mon., Nov. 21 from 2:30 - 4 p.m.
  • Cheyenne Mountain Library: Mon., Nov. 28 from 10:30 a.m. - noon
  • Palmer Lake Library: Wed., Nov. 30 from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Forté Handbell Quartet

  Ring in the season with Forté Handbell Quartet! This talented group will perform familiar holiday classics and more.

  • Library 21c: Sat., Dec. 3 from 4 - 5:30 p.m.
• DIY Snow Globes

  Swirling glitter-filled snow globes are a nostalgic holiday decoration you can customize with a laminated photograph, ornament, memento, or your child’s favorite superhero figurine. This 90-minute program will help you make a thoughtful gift, while keeping you on budget for the holidays. All materials provided, including some holiday-themed ornaments to put inside the snow globe. Registration required. Ages 18+.

  • Sand Creek Library: Wed., Dec. 7 from 5:30 - 7 p.m.
  • Library 21c: Sat., Dec. 10 from 2 - 3:30 p.m.
  • Cheyenne Mountain Library: Mon., Dec. 19 from 10:30 a.m. - noon
• Holiday Card Making

  Make your own holiday cards under the tutelage of local crafts guru Theresa Pingel to send to your friends and family. All materials will be provided. For beginner and intermediate crafters.

  • Cheyenne Mountain Library: Sat., Dec. 10 from 10:30 a.m. - noon
• Fifth Annual Yule Ball

  Witches, wizards, and all other magical beings are invited to attend the 5th Annual Yule Ball! Get sorted into your Hogwarts House, participate in magical crafts and activities, mingle with fellow fans, and dance the afternoon away. Costumes and cosplay are encouraged. Magical beings (or non-magical) are welcome. Registration required, and space is limited. For kids, tweens, and teens.

  • Knights of Columbus Hall: Sat., Dec. 10 from 2 - 4:30 p.m.
• Family Holiday Movie Marathon

  Come enjoy some holiday movies at the Library!

  • Penrose Library: Sat., Dec. 10 from 2 - 4:45 p.m.
  • Rockrimmon Library: Tue., Dec. 20 from noon - 6 p.m.
• Wrap & Yap Party

  Get ahead on your gift wrapping at the Wrap & Yap Party! Get gift wrapping tips from the Library and from fellow participants. Enjoy hot cocoa and cider while you work.

  • Sand Creek Library: Wed., Dec. 14 from 5:30 - 7 p.m.
  • Monument Library: Mon., Dec. 19 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

• Gingerbread House Decorating

  Join us for a gingerbread house decorating party and create something festive and delicious! All gingerbread materials will be provided by the Library (while supplies last). Families and groups are encouraged to share gingerbread house kits. Registration required, and space is limited. For kids and tweens.

  • Ute Pass Library: Sat., Dec. 17 from noon - 1 p.m.
  • Ute Pass Library: Sat., Dec. 17 from 1 - 2 p.m.

Take and Makes

Enjoy a delicious no-bake mug cake - perfect for a snack or dessert. Limit one kit per household, while supplies last.

Fill out a card to send to a loved one. Deposit your card with Library staff so they can put a stamp on it and drop it in the mail for you.

The holidays can be stressful! Take one of our self-care kits and have some Me Time. Each kit will contain a mini-journal, acupressure ring, stress relief tea bag, tissues, breathing exercises, coloring sheet, and mental health resources. Limit one kit per household, while supplies last. Kit may contain supplies not suitable for children.

• Cinnamon Roll Mug Cakes
  • Available Fri., Dec. 2 at all Library locations
• Holiday Cards and Stamps
  • Available Fri., Dec. 2 at all Library locations
• Self-Care Kits
  • Available Fri., Dec. 2 at all Library locations

We can't make all of these events and programs happen without you. Support your Library with a charitable gift today! Click here to make your donation. Thank you.

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

Looking for something fun to do in Colorado Springs and the greater Pikes Peak region?

Or maybe you want to learn a new skill?

There are all kinds of teen events happening this winter! Teen Activities typically happen after school or on the weekend, but check the links to see our calendar for all the dates and times.

Check out our Winter Programs for teens at Pikes Peak Library District!

How to Podcast with Studio809Podcasts

Ever feel like everybody's got a podcast but you? Have something on your mind you want to share with the world? Come join Dave Gardner with Studio809Podcasts to learn the magic behind the making of a podcast.

ASL Basics with CSDB

Learn the basics of American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf culture with instructors from the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB)! Interested participants will be entered into a drawing for a scholarship to attend a semester of ASL class at CSDB.

Mosaic Painting

Join us to create a painting inspired by Black American Artist Alma Thomas!

Homeschool Science: Solar Bug

Create a vibrating cockroach powered by solar energy!

Anime Mafia

Play a version of Mafia inspired by our favorite Anime! Try to figure out who is the villain that is causing havoc without letting too many townspeople die. Think Among Us meets Anime!

Life Size Game: Clue

Can you catch the murderer? In this live version of the classic board game “Clue”, participants will do their best to solve the mystery before their peers and win the game!

Light-Up Cosplay Bracelet Cuffs

Make an item to add to your cosplay or fan costume collection in this program where we make headwear or bracelet cuffs with wearable LED circuits using conductive thread!

Manga/Comics Gift Bags

Have a gift for the comic lover in your life? Have a desire to cut up old library materials to repurpose them? Make a personalized gift bag out of discarded library comic book and manga pages!

A Totally Awesome Murder Mystery

Join us for an 80s inspired murder mystery! Dress up in your best 80s style attire (or not) but come ready to play a part and solve the mystery of a murder most foul.

Coding Series: Sports

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. In this sports-themed series, youth will use computer science to simulate extreme sports, make their own commercials, and create commentary for a sporting event.

Tie Dye Cookie Decorating

Boost your cookie decorating skills by using royal icing to create rainbow tie dye cookie creations!

Decorate Your Own Reusable Bag

Use stencils, stickers, and paint to customize a reusable bag!

Escape Room: Caesar's Ciphers

Julius Caesar has been murdered! The fallen dictator and Emperor of Rome has left clues and ciphers behind to help protect his legacy. Can you solve the clues to let the world know about the nefarious secrets of the Roman empire?

Colorado is fortunate to have many talented published authors that are willing to share their stories and provide insight into their lives. Every quarter, the Friends are pleased to bring one of those authors to East Library.

This family friendly event is sure to dazzle all who attend - from the young to the young-at-heart! Light snacks will be provided.

Free for all Friends of the Library Members and only $5 for non-members. Children 17 and under are free. Ms. Regan will have a selection of her books for purchase and to autograph; she is kindly donating 100% of the proceeds to the Friends.

Tell the world about your favorite book! Prepare a creative book report at home and present it informally to other families. You can make a diorama, design a game based on the plot and characters, or make a poster for the movie version. You can create a book in a bag, make a clothes hanger mobile, or retell the story in comic book format. The possibilities are endless! Projects will be presented in a science fair-type format. For grades K-8*

*Registration required

Please register each student who will participate. Or drop by to browse the projects and discover your next favorite book!

When: Fri., Dec. 9 from 1 - 2 p.m.

Where: East Library

Need ideas to help you get started? Take a look at our idea file

Celebrate Native American Heritage and learn more about Native American culture and history with programs and resources at PPLD!

Programs

Seven Falls Indian Dancers

Seven Falls Indian Dancers are a family dance troupe representing four generations of dancers. They present educational and entertaining Native American dances including the Eagle and Hoop Dances. All ages welcome. 

• When: Sat., Nov. 5
• 10 - 11 a.m. at Penrose Library
• 2 - 3 p.m. at Library 21c

Booklists

• OverDrive Booklist
• Young Adult Booklist

Resources

• Gale eBooks - Native Americans
• Freegal Music
• Hoopla
• Kanopy
• The Horace S. Poley Photographs Collection
  This is a major collection of photographic images of Native Americans in the southwestern United States. Included are images of the Fiesta of San Geronimo at Taos, the Snake Dance of the Hopi, Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico and the Dedication of the Ute Pass Indian Trail in 1912.
• Digital Collections
  Search our Digital Collections for more photographs! We recommend using search terms like, “Native American,” “Indian,” and “Ute.”
• Reference and Special Collections Materials (Catalog)

Website Links

• American Indians in Children's Literature Dr. Debbie Reese of Nambé Pueblo, American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL) provides critical analysis of Indigenous peoples in children's and young adult books.
• Native American Heritage Month - Library of Congress (All Ages)
• Native American Heritage Month - National Parks Service (All Ages)
• Celebrate Native American Heritage Month - U.S. Department of the Interior

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. Artists and entertainers have left a rich legacy in the Pikes Peak region.

Scheduled for Sat., June 10, 2023, the 20th annual Pikes Peak Regional History Symposium, “Art, Artists, & Entertainers,” will explore the arts and culture of the Pikes Peak region.

Topics may include, but are not limited to: music, written word, fashion, fine arts, culinary arts, street art, design and architecture, artistic performances, actors, performance spaces, theatre and acting, athletics and human achievement, philanthropy, artistic clubs and subcultures, change in arts over time, radio, artist colonies, as well as contributors like Fannie Mae Duncan’s Cotton Club, Van Briggle Pottery, The Alexander Film Company, and Current.

Call for Proposals

Proposals should be sent by Fri., Jan. 6, 2023

Send proposals to:

• Brett Lobello, Director of Regional History and Genealogy

  blobello@ppld.org

  Pikes Peak Library District

  P.O. Box 1579, Colorado Springs, CO 80901

Proposal Guidelines

Please use these guidelines to prepare your proposal. Please include all seven requirements.

• 1. TITLE (5-15 words): A descriptive title for your proposed presentation and/or paper
  2. SUMMARY (50-100 words): A brief summary of the topic covered in your proposed presentation/paper
  3. ABSTRACT (1,000-1,500 words): A summary that includes your thesis, all the supporting arguments and conclusion for your proposed presentation/paper
  4. SOURCES (50-100 words): A general list of primary and secondary research sources supporting your proposed presentation/paper
  5. SHORT BIOGRAPHY (75-100 words): A brief description of you
  6. RESUME (One Page): A resume with relevant educational and research accomplishments, mailing and email addresses, and phone number
  7. PROPOSAL FOR: (Please indicate one)
     • • Symposium presentation only
       • Regional History Series publications*
       • Both Symposium presentation and the Regional History Series publications
       • Either Symposium presentation or the Regional History Series publications

     Selecting “Either” will not negatively impact the possibility of acceptance of your proposal for both but may increase the possibility for acceptance for one or the other if both cannot be accommodated.

     *Note: Written papers (6,000-12,000 words) accepted for consideration for publication in the Regional History Series (online or possible printed book) must be submitted in final form six months after the Symposium date. Paper guidelines are available at RegionalHistorySeries.org

Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) Collects to Share is once again putting out the call to collect crafted items for our community shelters. Starting in November, as part of Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, we will be accepting donations every month for a year. If you have knitted items such as hats, scarves, socks, and blankets that you would like to donate, please bring them to the public desk at any PPLD location and let staff know that they are for PPLD Collects to Share.

Resources

• Helping Hands guide
• This guide provides a list of services available to those in El Paso County. This includes topics such as housing assistance, veteran services, shelters, food, and crisis services that are available in the community.
• National Safe Place Network
• PPLD is a part of the National Safe Place network, working with local youth shelter, The Place, to provide resources to teens in crisis. If you are a teen and need a safe place - for whatever reason - all you need to do is come in to any PPLD library and tell a staff member that you need a safe place. The staff member will take you to a quiet area and contact The Place, who will help you with the next steps. It is safe, confidential, and 100% up to you. The volunteer from The Place won't tell you what to do, but they will get you the help you want and need. Please visit the National Safe Place homepage [nationalsafeplace.org/] for more information about the program.
• National Initiative
• Helping Hands LibGuide

On Fri., Nov. 18, the Shivers Concert Series at Pikes Peak Library District presents “Fall Dinner Concert”.

The evening’s musical guests include:

• Veronica Williams

• Icy Monroe

• Marcus King

• Terri Pederson and the Tidal Breeze Quartet

• Linda Weise and Adam Haas

• Susan Grace

Schedule

6:30 p.m. – Social hour

7 p.m. – Dinner

8 p.m. – Concert

Location

This event will be at the City Auditorium (221 E. Kiowa)

Tickets

Tickets for this event are $70 per person.

To purchase tickets online, click here.

You may also mail checks to PPLD Foundation (1175 Chapel Hills Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920), or pay by phone at (719) 531-6333 x5154.

Please RSVP at your earliest convenience.

Musical Workshop

There will be a free Musical Workshop for Students on Sat., Nov 19. at 2 p.m. at Knights of Columbus Hall. Please note that this free workshop is only open to students.

What does our city look like through the lens of someone experiencing homelessness? Come find out at the "We Have a Story" exhibit.

We Have a Story

“We Have a Story: Homeless in Colorado Springs” is a documentary project completed in 2022 by people experiencing homelessness. This project captures the unique experiences of these individuals through photos and stories. The four individuals who participated in the project present their distinctive perspectives of this complex and diverse community, which is not easy to define.

Participants took pictures over the course of a month in the spring of 2022. They met as a group with a professional photographer to discuss and critique their photographs. Participants also sat with a historian to conduct an oral history interview. At the end of the project, they each selected three images and wrote an accompanying artist story. The photos and narratives will be displayed throughout Pikes Peak Library District.

The photos, narratives, and oral histories will also be accessible online through Special Collections at Penrose Library, which preserves the stories and records of the Pikes Peak region. “We Have a Story: Homeless in Colorado Springs” contributes to the region’s history by documenting the stories of contemporary residents who are typically overlooked in a community’s historical record.

Exhibit Schedule:

• 2022
• November - Penrose Library
• December - Manitou Springs Library/Manitou Arts Center
• 2023
• January - Cheyenne Mountain Library and Rockrimmon Library
• February - Library 21c
• March - East Library

Join Pikes Peak Library District’s Regional History and Genealogy (RH&G) department as they release the latest book in their Regional History Series: Military Matters: Defense, Development, & Dissent in the Pikes Peak Region.
There will be a presentation by the RH&G staff members about the multitude of ways the military has shaped, contributed to, and transformed the Pikes Peak region.

This will be followed by a panel discussion with three retired veterans living in the region:

William Thomas, Retired Army Chief Warrant Officer
Terrance D. McWilliams, Retired 7th Infantry Division and Fort Carson Command Sergeant Major
Christine Martinez, Retired U.S. Army Flight Medical Aidman and Air Force Reserves

When and Where

The book release and panel discussion will be on Thu., Nov. 17 from 1 - 2:30 p.m. at Penrose Library. Military Matters: Defense, Development & Dissent in the Pikes Peak Region will be for sale to all attendees at a discount.

Join Pikes Peak Library District in celebrating our veterans and their families.

Programs

America’s First Ski Troops and their Legacy Today

SMC Col. Tom Duhs (Ret) and historian will share insights about the 10th Mountain Division, which formed and trained from 1942-44 at Camp Hale, Colorado near Leadville to become the first American ski troops in anticipation of fighting in the Alps during World War II. Many would go on to found ski areas around the country after the war.

• Tue., Nov. 1 from 5:45 - 6:45 p.m. at Monument Library
• Sat., Nov. 12 from 10:30 a.m. - noon at Old Colorado City Library

The Silent Submarine Service: From Pedal Power to Nuclear Power

Edward Sierra joined the United States Navy at age 17 after graduating from high school in Medford, NY. Upon completion of an intense two-year naval training program, Ed reported to the Electrical Division aboard the nuclear-powered fast attack submarine U.S.S. Billfish SSN-676. In this talk, he reviews early submarine history and then recalls his journey from boot camp in San Diego to naval schools across the country, and ultimately to his adventures as a Navy Nuclear Power Trained Electrical Operator serving on the U.S.S. Billfish stationed out of New London, CT.  

• Thu., Nov. 10 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. online

American Flag Pin

We’re honoring our Veterans with a free USA flag lapel pin which will be available starting Fri., Nov. 11 at all PPLD locations while supplies last.

Booklists

• Resources for Veterans (Overdrive)

Resources

• VetNow (database)
• VetNow is an online service that supports Veterans and their families by offering live tutoring, aid in building marketable skills, standardized test preparation, employment transition assistance, writing labs, test centers, and guidance navigating Veterans Administration. To learn more, check out this video.
• Military & Veterans LibGuide
• This guide offers local information and general resources for Colorado-based military and veterans.
• Freegal
• Veterans Day Collection: 50 Patriotic Songs
• Veterans Day (radio broadcast)
• Gale Ebooks - Subject Veterans

Websites

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• Veterans Day 2022
• Veterans Day 2022 – Includes information on the importance, history, and the traditions of Veterans Day
• Veterans Day

Family websites for active military and veterans:

• "Sesame Street for Military Families is a free, bilingual (English and Spanish) website where families can find information and multimedia resources on the topics of military deployments, multiple deployments, homecomings, injuries, grief, and self-expression."
• "Babies on the Homefront provides military and veteran parents ideas for enhancing everyday moments with their baby or toddler.”
• "Parenting for Veterans is parenting help when you need it, on any device with internet."

PPLD is looking for two makers for the 2023 Maker in Residence Program.

What is a maker? A maker can be an artist, a techno-wizard, an inventor, a crafter, and lots more!

But specifically, we seek makers who…

• love their craft and possess skills to teach and share
• are curious about the world around them and enjoy tinkering
• enjoy collaborating with others

The Maker in Residence will teach classes to our patrons and envision, develop, and create a large-scale community project. Since 2014, the Maker in Residence program has hosted over 30 creative individuals, who introduced the El Paso County community to a wide range of projects and ideas including the following:

• bookbinding & papermaking
• drawing and painting (acrylics, watercolors, oils, alcohol ink)
• stop motion / animation
• songwriting and dancing
• polymer clay
• origami
• sewing

Applications will be taken through Mon, Nov. 21.

Click here to apply.

You will also need to complete and attach these two forms to the application linked to above:

• Class Outline Form
• Community Project Proposal Form

You can learn more about the Maker in Residence program here.

Take a spooky stroll in Old Colorado City and read The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams and illustrated by Megan Lloyd.

Pick up a map at Old Colorado City Library, or print one here, and stop by each location to read the book. The story will be available Oct. 1 - 31.

Old Colorado City October Strolls

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams

Download the map!

• Jives Coffee


• Carnelian Coffee


• Stella and Beau


• Eclectic Co.


• Simple Body


• The Holly Leaf


• The Spark


• ELLYBlue


• Sweetwater: A Flower Market


• Dice Guys


• Old Colorado City History Museum

Take and Makes for this project will be available at area PPLD libraries on Oct. 14, 2022.

Supplies and Directions:

Materials we provide:

Paper Templates

Cardboard

Materials you provide:

Scissors

Penny

Glue

Markers, Crayons, or Colored Pencils

Directions:

Color your template. Glue the template to the cardboard. Cut out around your template.

Cut a small slit in the center of the circle to insert the penny. The slit needs to snugly hold the penny.

Spin. As it spins, note what you see.

The Science Behind it: Something in motion stays in motion unless a force acts upon it. In Penny Spinners, the friction between the penny and the surface slows it down and eventually causes it to stop. This project also shows color mixing as the colors combine when the spinner spins.

PPLD is co-sponsoring the 2022 Pathways to Progress Seminar: An Invitation to Inclusivity with speakers from Mariposa Professional Services, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Rework America Alliance, City of Colorado Springs, and The Independence Center.

When: Wed., Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Where: Library 21c and Virtual
Registration required.

PPLD Programs

Calvin Can't Fly: An ASL Event
Join us for this story presented in ASL, voiceover, enhanced text, music, sound effects and animation followed by a fun, interactive ASL lesson!
When: Sat., Oct. 1 from 1 – 2 p.m.
Where: Library 21c
Registration required.

Sensory Storytime
Join us for a fun and interactive Storytime that is specially created for children on the autism spectrum or with sensory integration challenges. For children ages 3 - 7
When: Fri., Oct. 7 from 10:30 – 11 a.m.
Where: Library 21c - Children’s Room
Registration required.

When: Sat., Oct. 8 from 11 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: East Library - Children's Story Room
Registration required.

ASL Storytime & Playgroup
Join Pikes Peak Library District and The Colorado School For The Deaf and The Blind (CSDB) for a bilingual Storytime and Playgroup! Books will be read in American Sign Language and English. An interpreter will be available for English and ASL translation.
When: Wed., Oct. 12 from 10:30 a.m. - noon
Where: East Library - Children's Activity/Story Rooms
Registration required.

Trauma-Informed Yoga and Meditation
Join a certified yoga therapist for a specific low-impact trauma-informed yoga class. This class will lead you through specific postures and practices that will help ease anxiety and tension and cultivate an environment for healing process to begin.
When: Mon., Oct. 17 from 10:15 – 11: 15 a.m.
Where: Rockrimmon Library - Meeting Room
Registration required.

When: Mon., Oct. 24 from 10:15 – 11:15 a.m.
Where: Rockrimmon Library - Meeting Room
Registration required.

When: Sat., Oct. 29 from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Where: Cheyenne Mountain Library - Marlene Rook Memorial Community Room
Registration required.

When: Mon., Oct. 31 from 10:15 – 11:15 a.m.
Where: Rockrimmon Library - Meeting Room
Registration required.

Once Upon a Sign: ASL Storytime
Come and join us for a fun Storytime featuring early literacy activities and stories signed in American Sign Language (ASL) by a Deaf role model, and spoken aloud in English!
When: Tue., Oct. 18 from 9:30 – 10 a.m.
Where: Library 21c - Children's Room

When: Tue., Oct. 18 from 10:30 – 11 a.m.
Where: Library 21c - Children's Room

Virtual Once Upon a Sign: ASL Storytime
Come and join us for a fun virtual Storytime featuring early literacy activities and stories signed in American Sign Language (ASL) by a Deaf role model and spoken aloud in English!
When: Tue., Oct. 25 from 9 - 9:30 a.m.
Where: Virtual
Registration required.

Resources

• OverDrive Booklist
• Disability Resources Subject Guide
  A compilation of national, state, and local resources for individuals with disabilities, their families, and friends. Topics include advocacy, assistive technology, caregiver resources, emergency preparedness, employment & housing, recreation, and more.
• 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 job coaching, assistive technology, and needed accommodations to participate with DVR and on the job.
• The Independence Center

The Independence Center provides information, resources, and support to help people with disabilities live, learn, work, play, and participate in civic life as equals.

• Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
  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. We 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.

• Special Kids Special Families
  SKSF was founded in 1998 to provide respite and care for children and adults with disabilities. Programs offer community support services to families that are designed to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities throughout their life span.

This October, arts and culture takes center stage across the Pikes Peak region as our community celebrates Arts Month! And you’re encouraged to have one new cultural experience with family or friends sometime this month.

Art is for everyone, and we’re offering opportunities for people of all ages and skill levels! To kick off the month, we will be offering Take and Make kits at participating Library locations that you can pick up and enjoy doing at home (while supplies last).

There are also several Library programs happening throughout October like workshops and open paint nights. Come celebrate Arts Month with us this October.

Here are a few options:

Bad Art Night – For Adults
Multiple dates starting Wed., Oct. 5

All of the fun of making art with none of the pressure! Join us to create the most ridiculous pieces of art you can think of - from painting to collage to sculpture - while enjoying snacks and refreshments. At the end of the night, there will be awards for the most over-the-top bad artwork! All supplies will be provided. Come celebrate Arts Month with us in a judgment-free and glitter-heavy zone!

Mini Pumpkin Decorating – For Tweens
Multiple dates starting Thu., Oct. 6

Transform a mini pumpkin into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece! We will have everything you need to decorate a pumpkin for fall. For ages 9 - 12. Registration required.

Pikes Peak Live! – For Teens and Adults
Sat., Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Knights of Columbus Hall

Pikes Peak Live! is an all-day event that consists of performing art workshops that will conclude with a talent show by the participants for the public. The day will start with a series of workshops where participants can choose to attend either poetry, music, or comedy workshops. Participants then will come together to present their works (panel style) where they’ll learn some tips and tricks on performing on stage. The day will conclude with a talent showcase where participants can take part and test the water by performing in front of an audience. The showcase is open to public viewing.

View all Library programs and activities during Arts Month.

To find out what else is happening around the region, check out the calendar of events at ArtsOctober.com.

We partner with the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region throughout the year to encourage residents of El Paso County to engage with their community through arts, culture, and other programs and experiences. PPLD is a proud partner of #ArtsOctober and PeakRadar.com.

An inside look at the 2022 All Pikes Peak Reads' Adult Selection
- Interview by Heidi Buljung and Anthony Carlson

The adult selection for this year’s All Pikes Peak Reads program is The Library Book written by acclaimed author, Susan Orlean. PPLD Senior Librarian Heidi Buljung recently had the opportunity to chat with Susan about her latest book, the value of libraries to communities, how it felt to be portrayed by Meryl Streep in a movie, and what Susan learned about libraries while writing The Library Book.

Heidi: The Library Book has been chosen as Pikes Peak Library District's All Pikes Peak Reads' adult selection this year. Every year, the program has a theme, and this year’s theme is “reinvention.” In what ways do you think libraries are places of invention and reinvention for people and patrons who visit them?

Susan: I think I can answer the question in two ways. To begin with, libraries have always adapted to the moment. For many centuries, they were primarily repositories of books. They were really in the vanguard of seeing other forms of media as being appropriate for being in their collections. So, the library of today is different from the library of 20 years ago, and that was different from the library 20 years before that. It's been a constant and ongoing process of reinvention. I think libraries have been remarkable in that regard. They have really never seen themselves as museums of books, but rather, these living, breathing information centers, and whatever form information comes in, libraries have embraced it. I think that's why they've remained vital.

I think another way of looking at this, though, is that libraries are also tools of reinvention. And in their earliest iteration, one of the main missions of a library was to educate people, and to give them the tools to reinvent themselves. In a sense, they were sort of an open university, and that has really remained a constant. We see this now with libraries offering GED programs and citizenship courses. There are all these different ways that a library makes itself available for an individual to say, ‘I want to learn about something new,’ or ‘I want to expose myself to a new set of information.’ You know, libraries, at their core, have always been about that transformational property.

Heidi: On a little personal note, I'm a librarian because my mom took me to the library when I was a kid. Getting to the book, you talked about going on those trips with your mom to the library; those memories were stirred for you when you took your son to visit the Studio City Library. Can you share a little bit about why those childhood visits to the library were so important, and how they helped to shape who you are today?

Susan: There is a way that they figured in my memory and my emotions as a kid that just defies explanation. There was something magical about going to the library. Even as a little kid, I had the kind of freedom to pick what I wanted and make my own choices. The actual act of going with my mom just felt full of mystery. I can't explain it other than to say that books have some magic and libraries have some transformational quality that, even as a kid, you sense. It made me an avid reader. And there's no doubt in my mind that being an avid reader led to me being a writer. I have no doubt that that's where the seeds were sown.

I think going to the library and seeing this incredible array of books is quite different from going to a bookstore or going on Amazon and ordering the book you want. And, you know, browsing a library has different qualities. I think it's even different from browsing a bookstore, because you've got old books, you have books that have long since been out of print, and you have obscure oddball books that might not appear in a bookstore. In a library you really dive in and see the extraordinary range of curiosity. I think that really inspired me. That changed the way I looked at the world and made me appreciative of the range of stories and interests that a library presents.

Heidi: The Library Book has been described as a love letter to libraries. How does that make you feel to hear that?

Susan: It's absolutely wonderful! When I wrote the book, I had begun with the idea that I wanted to write something about libraries. I just felt like they're such interesting institutions and they've endured. Do you know why? When you think about how much society has changed since the first library was founded, it's so interesting that we still make libraries, and we still care so deeply about them. I just instantly thought, well, this is a subject that I'm really curious about.

Then the story of the fire, which was a very dramatic story really interested me. I didn't go into it thinking “I'm going to write a tribute and a love letter.” Yet, of course, the whole reason I did the book is because I love libraries. So, it almost came as a wonderful surprise to me to in retrospect to say “Oh, of course. Of course, it's a love letter!” These are remarkable things that we humans have created and preserved, and the way they function is truly good in this world. But I have to say, not to sound too cynical, there's something really amazing about thinking of a place, particularly a public institution, that you feel like it's just good. It's full of goodness. And that made me really happy.

Heidi: I want to ask about the cynical expression that you have when someone has died, his or her library has burned. And you explain a little bit of that in the book. Can you just explain that, again, for purposes of this interview, why that quote, that expression is so poignant?

Susan: Well, it operates on many levels. On one level, it suggests that we each contain in our minds and hearts, a sort of library of a lifetime of stories, experiences, images, memories that our minds have sort of organized, like libraries. Everything we know, all the knowledge we have, as well as all of the memories and more personal information we have, disappears when we die. But the poignancy also is that libraries themselves exist almost like a communal soul. Everything that a culture knows, values, thinks, and cares about is contained in a library. And, if an actual physical library burns, you've lost this entire sense of a culture.

Heidi: Awesome. And we have one final question. So, Jeremiah, who's in internal communications with the Library District, is a big fan of [the movie] Adaptation. He wanted us to ask you specifically how it felt to have Meryl Streep play you in a movie?

Susan: Well, it's wonderful. I mean, if you're going to have the weird experience of being portrayed in a movie, which is, in itself, a very bizarre life experience… If you're going to have somebody do it, Meryl Streep would be the person you'd want. And you know, it doesn't make it any less weird, but it made me feel that I was having brain surgery by a highly trained surgeon, as opposed to being hit by a truck. And I love the movie. So, you know, my feelings about it are very positive.

Heidi: This was so much fun! I know PPLD is really excited to feature your book as part of All Pikes Peak Reads this year. Thank you so much for the time today, and we really appreciate the opportunity to connect and talk about your book.

This article originally appeared in the Fall 2022 edition of District Discovery.

Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8 joins Colorado Springs School District 11, Harrison School District 2, Academy School District 20, Calhan School District, and District 49 as the sixth and latest school district to join Pikes Peak Library District’s (PPLD) PowerPass program since its initial launch in the fall of 2019.

PowerPass is a digital library card just for students with the goal of providing access to PPLD’s digital resources, like databases, eBooks, and song and movie downloads to students as a supplement to existing school district resources.

Learn more at ppld.org/PowerPass.