Deaf History Month in April recognizes the contributions of people who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the U.S. now and throughout history and recognizes the achievements of the Deaf community in a variety of fields. Originally, the American Library Association (ALA) and National Association of the Deaf (NAD) designated March 13 to April 15 of every year as Deaf history Month. In 2022, NAD changed Deaf History Month to the full month of April. Celebrate this history through the resources and websites on this page. 

Resources

• Kanopy: Search “deaf” to find a selection of documentaries exploring Deaf history
• Accessibility at PPLD

Biographies

Explore Deaf history through these biographies featuring several well-known deaf people in the Biographies in Context and U.S. History in Context databases. (Must have a library card that starts with a 4 to access this resource outside of the Library.)

• U.S. History in Context — Gallaudet University: Explore journals, biographies, articles, recordings, news stories, and more about Gallaudet University, the only higher education institution in the world where all programs and services are designed with the needs of the Deaf community in mind.
• Biography in Context database — Marlee Matlin: Read about actor Marlee Matlin, who lost her hearing at age 18 and went on to win an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1987.
• Biography in Context database — King Jordan: Learn about the history of the first deaf president of Gallaudet University.
• Biography in Context database — Nyle DiMarco: Discover biographies, magazine articles, and more exploring the life of Nyle DiMarco, an actor, model, and activist known for being the first deaf person to win America’s Next Top Model
• Biography in Context database — Lauren Ridloff: Delve into the life of deaf Black Latina actress Lauren Ridloft through an archive of magazine and newspaper articles.
• Biography in Context —  Thomas Edison: Explore the life of prolific inventor Thomas Edison, who lost much of his hearing at age 12.  

Websites

• National Association of the Deaf
• World Federation of the Deaf
• Deaf Historical Resources page from Gallaudet University’s National Deaf Life Museum website
• Schuchman Deaf Documentary Center from Gallaudet University
• Deaf Women in History
• The Daily Moth Deaf news briefs

Learn American Sign Language (ASL)

• Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind ASL signs of the month: Learn a few signs in American Sign Language with videos from the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind. They also offer paid classes that you can register for.  
• American Sign Language University YouTube: Bill Vicars is a university ASL Instructor in California and has a robust YouTube playlist of his classes from beginner to advanced.
• Handspeak: An ASL Visual Dictionary run by Jolanta Lapiak. 

This April, celebrate National Poetry Month during the annual Pikes Peak Poetry Summit and open yourself to new ideas through powerful artistry. The summit got its start in 2022 and has proved to be a rousing success. Pikes Peak Library District is honored to host the summit for its third year in a row. This year’s theme is “Thriving Artists” and talents from across Colorado have been invited to share and celebrate this creative form. Join us for a day of exploring poetry and celebrating creativity with our community. 

This year’s Pikes Peak Poetry Summit is on Sat., April 13 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at The Hall at PPLD (20 W. Pikes Peak Ave.). 

The summit offers a unique opportunity to celebrate writing and self-expression whether you are a seasoned poet, embarking on your exploration of this diverse art form, or just a lover of poetry. You will be inspired, improve your craft, share your words, and learn more about poetry locally and across the state. Engage with our poetry workshops, learn how to slam, and experience amazing poetry and dance performances. 

We look forward to celebrating poetry with our community. Let poetry guide you across the bridge to new perspectives. All ages are welcome. Find all workshop descriptions and a schedule of the day in our program calendar. 

Workshops are provided at no cost and include: 

• How to Slam 101
• Stop Making Sense: The Exquisite Corpse and Other Surrealist Games
• Let's Make Poetry Zines!
• Shaping Your Story: Writing a Performance Art Piece 
• Poetic Resilience
• Spontaneous Overflow
• Self-Care through Poetry

Did you know that we have America’s largest museum dedicated to money right here in our own backyard? The Money Museum, which is one of our Pikes Peak Culture Pass partners, is America’s largest museum dedicated to numismatics (the study of money). Money is a culturally significant item found throughout history from ancient to modern times. Visitors to the Money Museum can see currency come to life in new ways as they explore how money is connected to art, history, science, and more. The museum includes exhibits in three main galleries, where visitors can find spectacular rarities and learn about the history of our nation and the world as seen through money. 

Located adjacent to the campus of Colorado College, the Money Museum has something for everyone. Explore history, geography, trade, art, world cultures, and more as you enjoy the exhibits. What better way to learn about money than by doing and playing? The museum also offers fun activities, interactive exhibits, and free classes that help children learn a variety of topics from the basics of how to make change to understanding monetary systems.

Visit the Money Museum to learn about the evolution of currency and how modern notions of money came to be; view the museum’s Mini Mint and learn how coins were made from the early 1500s to 1800s; or explore the famous Bebee Collection of U.S. paper money. 

The Money Museum was one of the original Pikes Peak Culture Pass partners and has collaborated with Pikes Peak Library District throughout the years. In summer 2023, the museum offered free admission to more than 100 library cardholders during the Library’s Culture Pass Summer Discount Days promotion that highlighted cultural attractions in our region. 

A new exhibition will make its way to the Money Museum in late March highlighting the rarities of American numismatics, including some rare coins and uncut paper money sheets as part of the Americana Galleria. You can explore this new exhibition with no-cost entry through the Library’s Pikes Peak Culture Pass program. Children under the age of 12 are always free. 

Community parks provide outdoor greenspaces where people of all ages can relax and enjoy the fresh air, and children can play. This Earth Day, Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) is teaming up with the Trinity Community Park in Monument to plant trees.

Trinity Community Park brings inclusivity and diversity to outdoor spaces with an accessible playground suitable for all abilities. The play equipment design takes a wide variety of different abilities into consideration and facilitates engagement between people with and without disabilities. The park offers adaptive swings, a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round, sensory panels, a wheelchair-accessible trampoline, and other adaptive equipment, making it a space where all children can go to have fun outdoors.  

With accessible play equipment installed and plenty of green space to enjoy, it is now time to plant trees! To support this effort, anyone who signs up for a new library card at Monument Library from Mon., Feb. 26 through Fri., March 15 will be able to register for a free tree sapling to plant at the park during Earth Week. Saplings will be planted during two community planting days, on Sun., April 21 from 11 a.m. - noon and Mon., April 22 from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. All ages are welcome.

Together, we can help this community park continue to grow.  

May 2024 update:

The hours are expanding at Sand Creek and Ruth Holley libraries starting Tue., May 28. The new hours will be: 

Sand Creek Library 

• Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Friday – Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed 

Ruth Holley Library 

• Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Friday – Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed 

Start original message (posted February 2024): 

Pikes Peak Library District is expanding service hours at several libraries starting on Fri., March 1. Hours are determined by multiple factors, including community need and staffing availability. After careful evaluation, we determined that the open hours at Cheyenne Mountain, Manitou Springs, Monument, Old Colorado City, Ruth Holley, and Ute Pass libraries should be expanded.  

As part of the hours extension, Cheyenne Mountain Library, Monument Library, and Old Colorado City Library have an additional open day in their weekly schedules.  

Here are our new hours at each location: 

Cheyenne Mountain Library

• Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed 

Manitou Springs Library

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday – Thursday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed 

Monument Library

• Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed 

Old Colorado City Library

• Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed 

Ruth Holley Library

• Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Ute Pass Library

• Monday: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., 2 – 6 p.m. (closed for lunch from 1 – 2 p.m.)
• Tuesday and Wednesday: Closed
• Thursday: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., 2 – 6 p.m. (closed for lunch from 1 – 2 p.m.)
• Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., 2 – 5 p.m. (closed for lunch from 1 – 2 p.m.) 

On Mon., April 8, a solar eclipse will be partially visible from Colorado Springs. To help you get ready, the Library is teaming up with the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society to provide learning opportunities this February and March. Beginning on Fri., March 1, solar eclipse viewing glasses will be available at the following programs and will also be available for pick up from any Library location (while supplies last, limit 2 pairs per family).

Programs are for all ages. No registration required. 

Events

The Great American Solar Eclipse in April 2024 

• Wed., Feb. 21 from 1 – 2:30 p.m. – Calendar
  Rockrimmon Library
• Mon., March 4 at 6 p.m. – Calendar
  East Library

Mobile Libraries, hosted at Black Forest Community Church 

• Sat., March 9 | 1:30 p.m. – Calendar

  This talk will discuss the historical and modern cultural context of the solar eclipse in society, what solar eclipses are, the basic science of why eclipses occur, and where to see one of these exciting celestial events. We will also demonstrate safe observing practices using common household objects. The Colorado Springs Astronomical Society will have 100 solar eclipse viewers to hand out at the conclusion of this presentation.

  **Weather permitting, we will also have solar telescopes set up to provide safe, amazing views of the Sun on March 9. 

Viewing Party with PPLD

• Mon., Apr. 8, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. – Calendar     
  Calhan, East, and Rockrimmon libraries 

  Join the Pikes Peak Library District as we view the Great American Eclipse from the beauty of the Calhan, East, and Rockrimmon Library outdoor spaces! We will have games and activities throughout the morning and a limited number of eclipse viewing glasses to give away. Light refreshments will be served just behind East Library.  

  Bring your viewing glasses and join us as we experience the solar eclipse together! 

  ---

Resources

• Eclipse America 2024
  Explore the information and resources provided by the American Astronomical Society.
   
• How to View a Solar Eclipse Safely
  Learn how to safely view solar eclipses with information provided by the American Astronomical Society. 
   
• Download the How to Safely View the October 14, 2023 Annular Eclipse guide here
   
• Eclipse Simulator
  Search for a city to see detailed eclipse path information and see what time it will pass over Colorado Springs and how it will look when it passes over. 
   
• Colorado Springs Astronomical Society
  Find out more about our local Colorado Springs Astronomical Society, including exciting astronomical events happening in Colorado Springs. 
   
• The 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipses: Map and Data, from NASA 

Colorado Springs Astronomical Society

Food industry careers are rewarding and challenging but can be difficult to break into without prior experience or training. Pikes Peak Library District offers Food Industry Training that is perfect for anyone wanting to enter the food industry or advance their career. We offer this training multiple times per year. Registration is currently open for the next session that runs from March 25 - April 26.

The Food Industry Training is a five-week training program at the Library that teaches participants the entry-level skills they need to find or advance in employment as a qualified prep cook or line cook. The program helps them learn basic culinary fundamentals, practice professionalism, explore career opportunities in the culinary industry, and earn their ServSafe Food Handler certification.  

Participants learn proper food handling, recipe reading, product identification, team building in a food industry setting, cooking methods and techniques, and other essential skills.  

No prior experience is necessary, and there is no cost to participate. Participants must be eligible to work in the U.S., be able to attend the scheduled classes, be pursuing a career in the culinary industry, and be age 18 or older. Applications for this session close on Thu., March 7.

March is Women’s History Month, honoring the contributions of women in the U.S. now and throughout history, and recognizing the achievements of women in a variety of fields. Celebrate and learn more about this history with the resources, book lists, and websites on this page. 

Booklists

• Books for Family Sharing 
• Biographies and Memoirs 
• Classics 
• Humor 
• Hoopla eBooks 
• Books on OverDrive
• Check out the curated book lists on Libby/OverDrive 

Resources

• Find biographies and reference information about notable women in history using one of PPLD’s databases. 
• Explore eBooks by women authors using Freading. 
• Enjoy videos and documentaries directed by women or about women’s history and current events on Kanopy. 
• Browse a selection of movies and TV on Hoopla. 

Websites 

• Women’s History Month (for all ages)
  The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. 
• National Women’s History Museum (for all ages) 
• National Archives (for all ages) 
• U.S. Census Bureau (for all ages)
  Find interesting facts and statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. 
• National Geographic Kids (an engaging resource for kids) 

All El Paso County residents are invited to attend one of four upcoming public input sessions to express your thoughts about how Pikes Peak Library District can better serve its community. As we plan for the future of the Library District, your feedback will help us identify ways we are succeeding and in what ways we can continue to grow. If you have used any of our libraries, resources, or services, or have ideas how the Library could help you and your family, join us to share your experiences and suggestions with us. Your input will help shape the future of the Library District.

Mark your calendar to attend the input session that fits your schedule best:

Wed., Feb. 14 from 2 - 3 p.m.

Western Museum of Mining & Industry

225 North Gate Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80921

Wed., Feb. 21 from 10 - 11 a.m.

Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado

2605 Preamble Pt, Colorado Springs, CO 80915

Registration recommended.

Tue., Feb. 27 from 6 - 7 p.m.

Ruth Holley Library

685 North Murray Blvd.

Registration recommended.

Thu., Feb. 29 from 6 - 7 p.m.

Virtual

Register for the access link

Registration required.

Unable to attend? We still want to hear from you! Share your feedback by completing our online survey. If you took the survey in fall 2023, your feedback has already been received and you don’t need to take it again.

The Winter Adult Reading Program kicked off earlier this month, and the Library has many easy-to-use recommendation tools to help you accomplish your 30 days of reading and activities. Stop by your favorite Library location to browse our shelves and talk to our staff, or visit the Find a Good Book page on our website. Another great resource you can tap into is BookBrowse, brought to you by the Friends of PPLD.

BookBrowse offers a variety of ways to explore and discover new books based on your reading preferences and includes engaging content to take you beyond the book.  If you’re ready to find your next great read, the Read-Alikes page is a great place to start. Browse the weekly featured Read-Alikes on that page or search the database for your favorite books and authors. The database has recommendations for more than 4,500 contemporary books and 3,500 authors. If the book or author you search is in the database, you will find custom recommendations to other books with similar writing styles or themes. Many books include in-depth reviews as well.

Did we mention that each book includes a link to our catalog, making it easy to find and check out if we have it in our collection?

You don’t need to have a book in mind to find recommendations through this handy Library resource. Click on the Discover page to explore books by genre, theme, setting, or time period. Under the New page, browse lists of new and upcoming books, or cruise through first impression recommendations from other readers. You might also enjoy poking around in the Book Clubs page where you will find book club recommendations, reading guides, and even book club discussions you can join.

BookBrowse has a lot to offer even if you are not looking for book recommendations. Many books in the database have Beyond the Book materials such as articles to take you deeper into the book’s world or topics. Enjoy book discussions of featured books with other users on the Discussions page, or test your literary knowledge under Quizzes. There’s much to discover. Happy browsing!