What's New!

Ten years ago, the Waldo Canyon Fire burned through one neighborhood and forced the evacuation of thousands of people. Less than a year later the Black Forest Fire destroyed hundreds of homes north of Colorado Springs. Each fire ended two lives and disrupted countless others. At the time, both fires became the most destructive in Colorado History. The proximity of the fires, both geographically and chronologically, compelled our community to look at wildfires differently.

Visit Special Collections, located at Penrose Library, to see the new exhibit Wildfire, which presents the story of the Waldo Canyon Fire and the Black Forest Fire. Knowledgeable Regional History and Genealogy team members can also help you explore historic resources including our archival records, photographs, and secondary sources. PPLD collects and preserves these historic materials for the benefit of the community.

Whether you lived through these events or are a newcomer to the region, you will learn something about our community with a visit to see this exhibit. Special Collections is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Shark Week begins July 24. Here's a preview into our cool shark game Take and Make, for ages 5-12, which will be available at area PPLD libraries beginning July 8, 2022.

Supplies and Directions:

Materials provided in Take and Make:

• Paper Tube
• Blue paper
• Googly Eye Stickers
• Yarn
• Bead

Materials you provide:

• Scissors
• Tape
• Markers

1. Tape blue construction paper around the paper roll.
2. Create and tape a triangular fin to the top.
3. Decorate the roll at one end to look like a shark with its mouth open. Use the sticker eyes if desired.
4. Push one end of the yarn through the bead and tie a double knot. You may need to use a pencil to push the yarn through.
5. Tie a double knot around the paper roll. Leave approximately 6-8 inches for the ball to swing on. Cut off any excess yarn.
6. Gently swing the ball and see if you can catch it in the shark’s mouth! Gentle swings are the key!

Pikes Peak Library District recently released its new vision, mission, and values, and now will embark on a strategic planning process for 2023 - 2025.

As part of this, we heard from community members from July 1 - 30. This input will help inform the Library’s direction for the next three years!

In early August, we’ll review and analyze all public and staff input to identify common themes. Then, a planning committee of Library staff, members of PPLD’s Board of Trustees, and community representatives will begin the actual process of developing the strategic plan in August. All collected data will help inform PPLD’s top areas of focus, which will then impact the key strategies and tactics, for 2023-2025.

The Library will release the new strategic plan to the public sometime in October 2022.

Have questions? Contact us!