What's New!

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

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.