Join Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) and Citizen-Powered Media for Patrons of Influence: Military Veterans in El Paso County as we celebrate patrons who are providing positive influences in the areas of culture, business, and leadership in our community. A panel of local leaders will discuss their shared interest and experiences with the ways that diverse voices strengthen organizations and communities.

A question and answer session will follow the panel discussion.

Registration for the in-person event is not required but strongly recommended.

You must register for the Livestream event in order to receive the access link. You will receive the link to the Livestream after registering.

Wed., Nov. 15 from 10 – 11 a.m. — East Library

Panelists include:

Bethann Richards, U.S. Army Signal Corps, retired 

Bethann Richards is a retired Army veteran who worked within the U.S. Army Signal Corps and is currently a senior systems engineer at Jacobs Engineering Group. She has worked in engineering roles with Jacobs and Lockheed Martin over the last eight years where she was part of a team that supported the U.S. National Security Agency and received an award for her contributions. Fun fact about Richards, she has more take-offs in airplanes and helicopters than she does landings.

Colonel Mark Dickerson, U.S. Air Force, retired

Colonel Mark Dickerson retired from the Air Force with over 4,500 hours in over 40 types of aircraft. He is a graduate and former deputy commandant of the USAF Test Pilot School and spent seven years as a NASA research project manager where he was the only African American research pilot at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center. Dickerson holds a B.S. in engineering physics, an M.S. in aeronautical and astronautical engineering, and an M.B.A. He published his second book WARNING: This Book May Get You Killed, and has received the Noel Parrish Award, the most prestigious award presented by the Tuskegee Airmen Inc. where he was the former president of the Denver chapter.

Chief Petty Officer Chris Ortiz, Navy, retired

Chris Ortiz is a retired Navy chief petty officer who served 28 years of combined active duty and reserve service in many different positions from being a class instructor to senior enlisted advisor for a gun boat platoon in the coastal riverine squadrons. He has been employed at Colorado Springs Utilities for the last 25 years. These two paths have provided Ortiz with many opportunities to grow as a leader, mentor, and as a person who always takes care of the careers and personal growth of his soldiers, sailors, marines, and employees regardless of gender, culture, or ethnicity.

Marsilino ‘Lino’ Calica, U.S. Army, retired

Marsilino ‘Lino’ Calica retired from the U.S. Army after being stationed all over the world. Like many Native Hawaiians adjusting to a changing island, Calica, eight of his siblings, and many family members joined the military in pursuit of greater opportunities. His time in Germany, Honduras, and Korea let him cultivate the leadership skills that he uses in his current position as network systems analyst at Pikes Peak Library District. Calica has championed military personnel and their families through his work with his American Legion Post 209, even serving as the commander. His time is fondly spent with Susanna, his wife of 47 years, and being silly with his family. 

Colonel Cynthia Aki, Air Force Veteran, retired

Cynthia Chung Aki retired as colonel from the U.S. Air Force after 30 years of service. She began working in public health and administration health services while giving back as a volunteer on numerous boards and committees. In 2022, Aki launched the Golden Lotus Foundation. This nonprofit advocacy group provides intergenerational opportunities for people to experience Asian heritage and traditions, and hosts an annual Chinese New Year celebration. Aki, who is of Chinese descent, has become an informal spokesperson for the Asian community in Colorado Springs and has set ambitious goals for the future of her foundation. 

First Sergeant Carlos V. Gonzalez, Jr., U.S. Army, retired

Carlos Gonzalez served in the U.S. Army for 26 years and retired as a first sergeant. He is the current president of the Widefield School District 3 Board of Education and owner/agent of the local Carlos Gonzalez State Farm Agency. He applies his 30 years of leadership experience as founder/director of the non-profit True North Empowerment Services, Inc., which mentors both adults and youth and is owner of Leadership 360, a leadership training company. Gonzalez holds an M.A. in human resource management and was awarded the Army Bronze Star, five Army meritorious service medals, and a Joint Service Achievement Medal from his service which included tours in Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

Celebrate 30 years of arts, culture, and fundraising for a cause at the Shivers Concert Series 30^th Anniversary – Fall Concert. Enjoy dinner followed by a moving evening of live musical performances by special guests, including cellist Pamela Chaddon, baritone Ivan Thompson, tenor Eapen Leubner, and pianist Susan Grace. Proceeds help the Shivers Fund at PPLD to support opportunities for our community to celebrate diversity in history, culture, and the arts.

The event will be held at the Antlers Hotel (4 S. Cascade Ave.) on Fri., Nov. 17 beginning at 6:30 p.m. with a social hour. Dinner will be at 7 p.m., followed by the concert.

Schedule

• 6:30 p.m. - Social hour
• 7:00 p.m. - Dinner
• Concert to follow dinner

Tickets are $75 per person and are available for purchase online or by calling (719) 531-6333, x2391 

Your Library wants to hear from you! Take the Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) 2023 Community Survey and let us know about your recent Library experience. Share with us your thoughts about current Library locations and services and tell us about your ideas for the future. Your input allows us to continue working toward our 2023 - 2025 Strategic Plan goals and strengthens how we serve our entire community. Even if you don’t have a PPLD library card or regularly use the Library, please consider taking the survey. Your feedback is important to us.

The survey takes 8 – 10 minutes to complete, and your answers will be completely anonymous. Take the survey online today or stop by one of PPLD’s library locations for a paper copy starting Mon., Oct. 9.

The Survey is open through Sun., Nov. 5. Thank you for your time and support!

Beginning Tue., Sept. 19, library cardholders will be able to check out no-cost passes to Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain thanks to the Culture Pass program. Patrons can check out passes to explore this cultural attraction seven-days-a-week through April 30, 2024.

Take in breathtaking vistas from the top of the mountain you call home. Colorado is known for its fourteen-thousand-foot mountains (14’ers), which thousands of people endeavor to climb every year. Pikes Peak’s scenic highway offers a unique opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to experience the beautiful terrain that Colorado’s 14’ers have to offer. Conditions on the Summit can be wildly different than at the base of the mountain, so be sure to plan ahead and check condition and safety information before your visit. 

The pass grants access to the Pikes Peak Highway, and depending on the weather, patrons may enjoy the Summit House and Visitors Center at the top or the many beautiful interpretive stops along the way. With the addition of Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, the Culture Pass program offers PPLD patrons 12 cultural attractions throughout El Paso and Teller counties and Denver. For more information about Pikes Peak Culture Passes visit ppld.org/culturepass.

Note on visiting the Summit in September:

Your Pikes Peak Culture Pass will serve as your no-cost admission ticket (for up to two adult admissions and two children’s admissions) to drive on the Pikes Peak Highway. Access to the Summit by personal vehicle is currently on a reservation system through Sat., Sept. 30, which is not automatically reserved by your Pikes Peak Culture Pass. If you want to ensure that you will have a parking spot on the Summit during the month of September, you will need to make a reservation by clicking here.

Poetry is a powerful, flexible form of expression that conveys feelings across generations, and often across cultures as well. Pikes Peak Library District is celebrating poetry in collaboration with Pikes Peak Poet Laureate Ashley Cornelius and Imagination Celebration with the Pikes Peak Poet Laureate Global Poetry Experience throughout September. Join us for this interactive global poetry project and experience poetry and writing like never before!

On select Saturdays in September, Ashley will host poetry workshops from inside of the “Sojourner” Portal, a poetry portal set up outside of Manitou Springs Library this month. “Sojourner” is connected to other poetry portals around the world, and participants will have the opportunity to interact with people in other countries as they explore themes through writing. At the end of the month, Ashley will create a community poem drawing from participants’ experiences, and the poem is planned to be presented in October. 

The workshops presented by the Pikes Peak Poet Laureate include: 

• “Home” on Sat., Sept. 2 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. with Santos, Brazil
• “Belonging” on Sat., Sept. 9 from 9 - 11:00 a.m. with Erbil, Iraq
• “Connection” on Sat., Sept. 16 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. with Johannesburg, South Africa
• “Joy” on Sat., Sept. 30 from 9 - 11 a.m. with Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 

Registration is required for the workshops and space is limited, so sign up today!

Imagination Celebration plans to host programs at the portal on weekdays throughout the month. 

Constitution Day on September 17 commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution by thirty-nine brave people in 1787 and recognizes those who have become U.S. citizens through coming of age or naturalization. Celebrate this historic day with resources available at the Library!

• We the People U.S. Pocket Constitutions 
  Celebrate the penning of the U.S. Constitution by picking up a pocket-sized copy of the U.S. Constitution from your local library beginning Wed., Sept 13, while supplies last.

Recommended Resources

Use your library card to check out books and eBooks exploring the Constitution and its history through different lenses.

• A Young Reader's Edition of Land of Hope: An Invitation to the Great American Story by McClay, Wilfred M.
• Allow Me to Re8tort: A Black Guy's Guide to the Constitution by Mystal, Elie
• OMG WTF Does the Constitution Actually Say?: A Non-boring Guide to How Our Democracy is Supposed to Work by Sheehan, ben
• Ordinary Equality: The Fearless Women and Queer People Who Shaped the U.S. Constitution and the Equal Rights Amendment by Kelly, Kat; art by LaRue, Nicole
• For Which We Stand: How Our Government Works and Why it Matters by Foster, Jeff
• eBooks available with your library card through OverDrive or by using the Libby app:
  • Two Revolutions and the Constitution by D.R. Philips, James
  • The United States Constitution (this title is always available)
  • The Great Debate – Advocates and Opponents of the American Constitution by Thomas Pangle, The Great Courses

Enjoy a selection of documentaries with your library card on Kanopy, including:

• An American (1775 – 1790)
• Books That Matter: The Federalist Papers, Episode 12: The Future of the United States Constitution
• History of the United States, Episode 14: Creating the Constitution

Take an in-depth look at the history of the U.S. Constitution with these web resources:

• Britannica Kids: United States Constitution 
  Spark young learners’ curiosity about the U.S. Constitution.
• History.com: This Day in History: U.S. Constitution Signed 
  Enjoy an overview of the efforts that went into the creation of the U.S. Constitution.
• National Archives: Constitution of the United States – A History
  Dive into this in-depth look at the Constitutional Convention and the process of creating the U.S. Constitution.
• National Archives: The First Amendments to the U.S. Constitution 
  Discover some of the first changes made to the U.S. Constitution and learn about the development of the Bill of Rights.
• U.S. History in Context database: Constitution and the Bill of Rights (you must be in a Pikes Peak Library District location or have a library card starting with the number 4 to access). 
  Explore the creation of the U.S. Constitution and the cultural pressures involved in its development.  

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Fri., Sept. 15 - Sun., Oct. 15, 2023 recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. The Library offers several opportunities to learn and celebrate. Scroll down to explore resources celebrating Hispanic heritage.

Hispanic Heritage Month Recipe Cards

Learn about favorite foods and make recipes from some of the cultures celebrated during Hispanic Heritage Month. Available at all locations starting Fri., Sept. 15, 2023.

Resources

• Adults:
  • Hoopla
  • Kanopy films
  • Colorado Experience 
    Justicia Y Libertad (27 min., NR) 1968 was a pivotal year in American history: The Vietnam War hit its peak, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, and riots shook the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. At home in Colorado, it marked the birth of the Chicano Movement. These pivotal times brought political activist Corky Gonzalez to the forefront as an early pioneer of equal rights for Mexican Americans.
• Regional History & Genealogy
• Archival Collections
  • Heidi Vazquez Guy Records (MSS 0408)  
    The Heidi Vazquez Guy Records consist of two series: Biographical Files and VHS Tapes. Biographical information provided in each file includes: birthdate, parents names, names and number of children, education, careers, and Colorado memories. Most files also include a photograph. The VHS tapes contain oral history interviews of people in the Biographical Files conducted by Heidi Vazquez Guy. See staff in Regional History & Genealogy if you want to find out more about this collection.
  • De Donde Eres oral histories 
    Conducted between the years 2003 -2005, ¿De Donde Eres? was an oral history project organized by Pikes Peak Library District’s Special Collections in an effort to document and promote understanding of the region’s Hispanic community and their many contributions to Colorado Springs. The collection is comprised of 25 individual videotaped interviews which have been digitized into audio-only format. A complete listing of the project interviews is available at the Regional History & Genealogy reference desk and transcripts are available for a few of the oral histories.
• Young Adults:
  • Color in Colorado Young Adult Booklist
• Families and Children:
  • Enjoy some incredibly colorful costumes and dance from Ballet Folklórico México Danza to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! The music is so energetic you might want to get up and dance with your family! Click here to view the video.
  • Children's Materials in Spanish at PPLD
  • Color in Colorado Children's Booklist
  • PBS Children's Booklist
  • eBooks from Libby/Overdrive
  • Children’s Booklist from ¡Colorín Colorado!

• Reference Books and Magazines 

  • Who's who among Hispanic Americans, by Gale Research Inc.
  • Early Hispanic Colorado, 1678-1900, by Joseph P. Sánchez
  • On the edge of purgatory: an archaeology of place in Hispanic Colorado, by Bonnie J. Clark
  • Hispanics in the U.S. Civil War: a compiled list of men who fought for the Confederacy and the Union, compiled and edited by Ricardo J. Rodríguez
  • Hispanic pioneers in Colorado and New Mexico, by Colorado Society of Hispanic Genealogy
  • National Society of Hispanic Genealogy Newsletter, by NSHG
  • Colorado Hispanic Genealogist, by Colorado Society of Hispanic Genealogy
  • Colorado Hispanic Leadership Profiles: Who’s Who among Colorado’s Outstanding Leaders by Doug McNair

  For more titles and information, visit Special Collections or search our catalog! Books are from the Carnegie Library - Special Collections. (Some titles are available for checkout from other library locations.)

• Websites
  • HispanicHeritageMonth.gov Hosted by the Library of Congress, this site provides access to curated arts exhibits and collections, audio and video collections, and resources for Hispanic Heritage Month.
  • La Fiesta Bonita Read about a historic local heritage celebration from right here in El Paso County posted by our friends at the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum.
  • National Archives – Hispanic Heritage Month
  • National Today – Hispanic Heritage Month
  • History.com Provides an overview of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Public WiFi is about to get a boost at four Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) locations. We are working with Comcast to bring Comcast Lift Zones to Library 21c, as well as Penrose, East, and Ruth Holley libraries. Comcast Lift Zones are a second Wi-Fi network that library users can access at those locations, increasing the number of internet users that the public WiFi can support at one time. This means that users will have faster, more reliable internet that will make it easier to stream, complete projects, get work done, participate in remote classes and meetings, work on job applications and resumes, game, and more.  

Comcast selected these libraries as four of only seven libraries in Colorado to have Comcast Lift Zones in order to increase digital equity. Internet access is becoming more and more essential for the social and working worlds. Ensuring that everyone has access to the internet and other digital resources, known as digital equity, aligns with PPLD’s value of providing access for all to pursue their interests, needs, and goals. 

To access the Comcast Lift Zone at these four Library locations, users will need to open their device’s WiFi settings and select PPLD Lift Zone. After that, they will need to accept the terms and conditions when prompted, and they will connect to the network.  

The installation of these Lift Zones is one of several digital equity projects PPLD is currently working on. Two other projects in the works involve expanding access to digital resources outside of operating hours. The Library plans to expand the existing WiFi network a short distance outside of the building at Cheyenne Mountain, Ruth Holley, Penrose, and Sand Creek libraries, which will provide 24/7 access to Wi-Fi resources. We also plan to install holds lockers at these same four locations to allow patrons to pick up items they put on hold outside of operating hours. Both projects are made possible with funds awarded to PPLD through the City of Colorado Springs Digital Equity Grant Program. We are also working on a project to make a selection of Chromebooks available for patrons to check out and use outside of the library. There is no release date set for these digital equity projects.

Interested in getting involved as a leader in your community? Pikes Peak Library District’s Board of Trustees seeks applications due to an upcoming vacancy beginning Jan. 1, 2024.

Members of PPLD’s Board of Trustees are appointed by a joint committee of the Colorado Springs City Council and the El Paso County Board of Commissioners. It is a governing board as opposed to an advisory board. Trustees serve without remuneration and must live within the Library District’s service area. They are limited to two five-year terms.

Responsibilities include attending regular board and committee meetings, following bylaws, serving as a community liaison, appointing and evaluating the performance of the Library’s CEO, setting policy, performing strategic planning duties, reviewing and approving the annual budget, and more. 

Applications for the vacancy close at 11:59 p.m. MST on Sunday, Sept. 10. Applications must be completed and submitted online. Learn more and apply at ppld.org/BOT

All applicants are requested to attend the PPLD Board of Trustees meeting on Wed., Sept. 20, 2023, at  
5 p.m. at Library 21c in the Venue, 1175 Chapel Hills Drive. A reception will follow the meeting so that applicants may introduce themselves, meet the current Trustees, and learn more about the position.    

Please RSVP for the Sept. 20, 2023, Board of Trustees meeting to Laura Foster at lfoster@ppld.org or  719-531-6333, x6009.  

Celebrate Colorado Day Mon., Aug. 1 and enjoy other events throughout the month of August.

Colorado Day: Ed Dwight

Join us as we celebrate Colorado through the life of Ed Dwight, the first African American considered for the NASA astronaut program! The two-hour event includes:

• Mark Dickerson, Col. USAF (Ret), on the confluence of African American and Aviation History
• Rachel English, the Director of the Space Foundation, on the importance of space to Colorado's history
• A screening of the 13-minute documentary The Lost Astronaut, a short film about Ed Dwight.
• Light refreshments will be provided. Registration required.

Register Now

Genealogy Basics (Colorado Edition)

Are you interested in researching your genealogy, but aren't sure where to start? Join us for an introduction to basic genealogy research strategies including getting started, organizing research, and selecting and searching for records.

In celebration of Colorado Day, this month's Genealogy Basics classes will focus on researching your Colorado ancestors!

• Saturday, Aug. 19 from 2 - 3 p.m. - Virtual - Registration is required.
• Tuesday, Aug. 22 from 7 - 8 p.m. - Virtual - Registration is required.
• Saturday, Aug. 26 from 1 - 4 p.m. - Virtual - Registration is required.

Resources:

Adult

Have you checked out our digital archive? PPLD's Digital Collections features historic photographs, pamphlets, manuscripts, maps, oral histories, films and more that highlight the rich history of the Pikes Peak region. The materials come from the Special Collections of Pikes Peak Library District, housed in the 1905 Carnegie Library in downtown Colorado Springs.

Pikes Peak NewsFinder is our local historical newspaper index. This index contains citations to and scanned images of local news articles and obituaries from the Colorado Springs Gazette and other local newspapers from as early as the 1870s!

Children/Families

Need homework help? Check out our Colorado Homework Help page to get started with biographies, databases, and recommended websites.

Check some kids books about Colorado history, learn more.

Website Links:

Adult

Visit PPLD’s Regional History & Genealogy page to learn how you can research our local history. We have historic photos, manuscripts, books, and more!