Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) is excited to return to hosting a party just for teens this summer! Teens ages 13 – 18 are invited to join us for Teen Glow Extravaganza on Sat., June 28 from 2 – 5 p.m. at East Library. 

Get a glow-up as you step into a black light wonderland in this glow-in-the-dark party. Break out your dancing skills, partake in flow crafts and games, and enjoy refreshments in a glowing wonderland lit by black lights. We encourage you to wear neon or white clothing to glow your brightest. No registration required.

Flashing lights warning: This event will include flashing lights or strobe effects. Individuals with photosensitivity or light sensitivity may be at risk. Please take appropriate precautions or see staff for assistance if needed.  

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 June, join us on Wed., June 4 at noon for a conversation with Smithsonian scientists Brian Gratwicke and Dr. Gina Della Togna about their book Extinctopedia. Extinctopedia tells a complex story, not just of those who are extinct but also of those in greatest peril, with explanations of what threatens their survival. It is also a story of hope—hopes for animals that have been rediscovered, hope in the form of newly-discovered animals, and hope that we might hear the warning call and act to preserve the amazing biodiversity of our fragile planet for future generations to come. Register for the access link.

Then, on Tue., June 10 at noon, you are invited to an exclusive preview event with New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell as she introduces readers to her forthcoming title Don’t Let Him In (coming in June 24, 2025). Along with an introduction to her newest bone-chilling, psychological thriller, Jewell will chat about her life as a writer and her critically-acclaimed body of work. Register for the access link.

For the last Virtual Author Visit in June, tune in with the kids in your life for a talk with award-winning author and summer reading champion Katherine Applegate overviewing her heartwarming novel in verse, Odder. This illustrated children’s book is inspired by the true story of a Monterey Bay Aquarium program that pairs orphaned otter pups with surrogate mothers. This poignant and humorous tale examines bravery and healing through the eyes of one of nature’s most beloved and charming animals.  Register for the access link.

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

More Upcoming Virtual Author Visits 

• Tue., July 8 at noon: Dibuja tu mundo con Raúl the Third (Preescolar a 2 grado)
• Tue., July 8 at 2 p.m.: Draw Your World with Raúl the Third (Pre K – 2nd grade)
• Thu., July 17 at 2 p.m.: Discerning the Truth with Marie Lu
• Wed., July 23 at 2 p.m.: Illuminating Hope and Grace in the Face of Hardship with Rex Ogle (5th – 8th grade)
• Thu., July 31 at noon: On the Strangeness and Wonder of Our Brains with Pria Anand 

What’s better than cheering on your local soccer team? Cheering them on with Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD), of course! PPLD has teamed up with Ziggy and the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC to keep the fun going all summer long!

Show your PPLD library card at the box office to purchase up to four discounted tickets at a special price of $17 each for the following game dates: 

• Sat., June 14 (Switchbacks vs Oakland Roots)
• Sat., Aug. 16 (Switchbacks vs Orange County SC)
• Sat., Sept. 6 (Switchbacks vs Monterey Bay FC Union)

Act fast! Limited quantities available. Visit the box office to purchase.   

PPLD Night with the Switchbacks

The fun continues with Ziggy and the Colorado Springs Switchbacks with PPLD Night with the Switchbacks on Sat., Sept. 6.

Don't miss the fun as the Switchbacks take on Monterey Bay FC at 6 p.m!

Join PPLD in our very own cheering section. Show your PPLD library card (or card number) at the box office to purchase up to four discounted tickets at $17 each for the game on Sat., Sept. 6.

Act fast! Limited quantities available.

We hope to see you at the game! 

Date Published: May 20, 2025

To ensure that the public can voice their opinions about issues facing the PPLD Board of Trustees and that their perspectives are heard, the Board has adopted a new approach to its public comment sessions starting with the Wed., May 21 meeting.

The Board hopes that this new format will help the flow of business as it aligns with the meeting format that the City Council recently launched.

Individuals with comments regarding items on the meeting’s agenda will be invited to speak before the Board begins discussion on each item. This will give the Trustees an opportunity to hear the public’s views.

People with comments not related to the agenda will be permitted to speak during a one-hour public comment session after the Board addresses its business items. 

Thank you for your adherence to these new guidelines. We look forward to hearing from you.

Outdoor concerts return to Pikes Peak Library District this summer! Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and join us in Manitou Springs for sunshine and music all summer long. You will hear a variety of music, from pop folk and big band music, to bluegrass, and beyond. 

Each concert from the Manitou Springs Library Lawn Concert Series takes place in front of the Manitou Springs Carnegie Library building at 701 Manitou Ave. Join us every Wednesday night from June 4 – July 23 for live music starting at 6 p.m. In case of inclement weather, concerts will be canceled. 

• Wed., June 4 – Jeremy Facknitz
• Wed., June 11 – The Mitguards
• Wed., June 18 – Manitou Strings
• Wed., June 25 – Tenderfoot Bluegrass Band
• Wed., July 2 – Crystal and the Curious
• Wed., July 9 – Academy Jazz Ensemble
• Wed., July 16 – Grapefruit Moon
• Wed., July 23 – Ricky Sweum 

Kids and teens can enjoy lunch (and books) at no cost this summer! 

Colorado Springs School District 11 will bring their mobile unit to distribute lunches at East Library every weekday beginning Wed., May 28 through Fri., Aug. 1 (except for Fri., July 4). Meal service will be available 11 a.m. - noon, Monday - Friday, along with a basket of age-appropriate books from which kids and teens can take a book. Lunches are provided at no cost to kids and teens up to age 18. Adult lunches are available for $5. 

Outside of East Library
5550 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80918   
May 28 - Aug. 1 (every weekday except Fri., July 4)   
11 a.m. - noon

The Summer Food Service Program, funded by USDA, provides nutritious meals to all children and teens ages 0 - 18. There are no income or registration requirements for participation.   

To find other nearby summer meal sites, visit KidsFoodFinder.org.

The spring concert in this year’s Shivers Concert Series will take place on Fri., May 9 in the Venue at Library 21c. There will be a social hour at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and the concert at 8 p.m.

The Shivers Concert Series has been raising funds to support local culture and arts for 32 years. These concerts benefit the Shivers Fund at PPLD started by Peggy and Clarence Shivers, which contributes to the African American collection at Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD), awards grants and scholarships to students, and encourages young people to pursue their interests in the arts.

The concert features performances by tenor vocalists Eapen Leubner and Brian Alvarado, cellist Caleb Seifert, and pianists Susan Grace and Jude Kofie. Artist Maria Battista will be showcasing her art before and after the concert.

Tickets are $65 per person.

Purchase your tickets today online or by calling (719)531-6333, x6234. 

If you are interested in donating to the Shivers Fund, visit their donation page. 

Your library card gives you access to a world of possibilities at Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD). In addition to a wide selection of physical and digital items you can check out, you also have access to a variety of online resources and databases. This month, take a closer look at Denver Post Digital and PPLD’s collection of board games. 

Denver Post Digital

The Denver Post Digital Collection gives you access to current and past issues of The Denver Post. Follow developing news stories or dive into the archives back to 1989.

The database offers convenient features that make saving, citing, and sharing articles easy. A toolbar at the top of each article offers options for citation, emailing the article to someone, printing or downloading, copying the article link, and even sharing to a Google Classroom. For accessibility options, the database also allows you to change font size and has a read-aloud function.  

You can also search this database by keyword if you want to find something specific.

One of the database options in this collection features the articles in image form, showing you the actual newspaper page instead of text on a web page. For this option, look at the Format column and choose the database that has its format as “Image.”

Board Games

Your PPLD library card gives you access to almost 300 board games to have fun trying out. They are available at Calhan, Cheyenne Mountain, High Prairie, Old Colorado City, and Penrose libraries, as well as Library 21c and our bookmobiles.

Board games lend themselves to all sorts of occasions. They let you connect with family and friends during game night, lower stress levels, and even develop skills in strategic thinking, creativity, and collaboration. The trouble many tabletop gamers run into is that there are too many excellent games out there for most people’s allotted storage space or budget. That’s where the Library comes in!

Checking out games from the Library empowers you to keep game night fresh. It also takes some of the guesswork out of buying a new game you may or may not enjoy. Try a wide range of games and only spend money (and shelf space) on ones you fall in love with.

The collection ranges from classics like Clue, Scrabble, and Boggle to popular titles like Catan, Ticket to Ride, and Sushi Go. Visit our catalog to see what’s available or stop by one of our board game locations today! 

Are you expecting and have so many questions?
Join Pikes Peak Library District and Nurse-Family Partnership for a six-week series of prenatal classes. Each week we explore a different topic and have a Q&A session. The series is offered three times a year:

Winter Series
Feb. 5 - March 12

Summer Series
June 4 - July 9
Register for the Virtual Summer Series »

Fall Series
Oct. 1 - Nov. 5
Register for the Virtual Fall Series »

Session Time
Wednesdays, noon - 1 p.m. An additional 30 minutes will be available for questions. 

*This is a six-week series. Register for the first session in the series to receive the Zoom link. The same link will be used for each session. 

• Week 1: Birth Plan, Labor & Delivery, and the First Week  
  This session will cover birth plans and alternatives to medicines. We will discuss medications you may encounter in the hospital, the first week after birth, what happens in the hospital, and more!
• Week 2: Postpartum: The First Six Weeks
  Wonder what life will be like the first six weeks after your baby is born? At this session, we will discuss healing, rest, and mental health in postpartum. Learn about self-care during pregnancy and after baby's arrival, so you can take care of yourself, too!
• Week 3: Sleep and PURPLE Crying
  Having trouble getting enough rest? Learn techniques to help you and your newborn rest. Discover what the period of PURPLE crying is and the tools you can use to calm your baby.
• Week 4: Breastfeeding
  This session will cover breast feeding how-tos, latching, support, education, and more!
• Week 5: Nutrition and Infant Feeding
  Do you wonder what nutrition looks like during pregnancy and postpartum? We will discuss nutrition for mom and also look at infant feeding. Learn about WIC and the resources it offers.
• Week 6: Supporting Your Baby's Brain and Physical Health Pre and Postpartum
  This week, learn about your baby's brain and how to strengthen it from birth. Then, hear from a certified personal trainer and health coach about exercise during pregnancy.

January – March 2025

At the end of Q1 for 2025 I received the final statistics recounting Pikes Peak Library District’s (PPLD) services in 2024. An analysis of these figures revealed incredible access to materials and resources that were surprising in their extensiveness and their impact on the community. The numbers showed that PPLD has been serving El Paso County residents as intended and in alignment with its strategic plan’s goals.

• eLibrary Services
  • The District saw a 15% increase in eLibrary checkouts in 2024. We reached 3 million eLibrary checkouts on Libby, Hoopla, and Kanopy in early November, nearly two months earlier than we reached that milestone in 2023 and 2022. At the end of 2024 there were more than 3.5 million eLibrary checkouts of eBooks, magazines, newspapers, movies, music, and more across those databases.
• Meeting Rooms
  • More than 170,000 individuals utilized the Library’s event spaces, meeting rooms, and study rooms available throughout the District. Based on the median rental cost for similar spaces, these reservations saved the community approximately $1.2 million dollars in rental fees.
• Computers
  • Computers have long been part of a Library’s core services, and their usage is only increasing. In 2024, PPLD’s public computers across the District logged 164,297 hours of use.
• Library Card Distribution
  • At present, PPLD’s Legal Service Area includes roughly 678,000 individuals in El Paso County; these individuals hold more than 301,000 active library cards (meaning the cards have been used in the last 3 years).
  • In El Paso County there are just over 285,000 Households; at least one active library card exists in 65.7% of these households (187,650 households).
  • Over the last 12 months, the Library has registered an average of approximately 2,397 new library cards each month. 

See the included 2024 PPLD Statistics Snapshot for more details. 

View accessible version of this information

During the first three months of 2025 (January – March), PPLD experienced several accomplishments:

• Launching a redesigned website
  • The PPLD web team worked for more than a year to review, assess, refine, and redesign the Library’s website, ppld.org, with input from staff and the community. It was made more user-friendly, accessible, and informative for its visitors. The website launched on January 13 and was received enthusiastically.
• Reopening of Manitou Springs Library
  • Nearly 500 individuals joined the Library District on Fri., Feb. 7 for the reopening of Manitou Springs Library that had been closed for four years. Since its reopening, the Library has seen an average of 200 more checkouts per week than in the last three years; the expanded Children’s Area made it possible to add an additional children’s program, Toddler Time, to the schedule; and Manitou Springs Elementary School has made use of the Library’s community room weekly since the opening. The community room has also been used as a co-working space and the community is looking forward to enjoying the Library’s summer concerts from the new patio behind the building.
• Renovation and reopening of Penrose Library’s Children’s Area and Computer Lab.
  • After an approximately 2.5-month closure for upgrades and renovations, Penrose Library reopened its Children’s Area and Computer Lab on March 31. These renovations completed phase two of the Penrose Library renovation project. Since the renovations began, Penrose Library has seen increased attendance in its children’s programs six-fold and adult programming, as well as a decrease in incidents.
• Winter Adult Reading Program
  • For the fourth consecutive year, the annual Winter Adult Reading Program engaged the El Paso County community to read and learn for 30 days between February 1 – March 31, and registered a record-breaking number of participants. In 2025, 5,774 adults participated in the program, 700 more participants than in 2024. Below are the participation figures for the last four years showing increased interest and engagement:
    • 2022    3,428
    • 2023    4,076
    • 2024    5,074
    • 2025    5,774
• Library Card Design Contest
  • After 10 years with the same designs the Library District needed new library cards. This need prompted the District to hold a Library Card Design Contest. This contest’s intent was to engage the community in the process of determining new cards and to celebrate the talent in the region. Eight-hundred and fourteen designs were submitted, including 53 from District 2’s Centennial Elementary School and several from a UCCS art class. Six innovative designs were selected as winners. 
     

Thank you for your time,
Teona Shainidze-Krebs
PPLD CEO