Published on Mon., March 31, 2025

Until the Computer Lab and Children's area reopen:

• Laptops and Chromebooks are available to checkout for in-library use at the Service desk.
• All Children's programming will continue as scheduled. To participate, please enter through the Aspen Meeting Room.

Join us outside the Children's area for a reopening ceremony and celebration on Tue., April 1 at 9:30 a.m.

Learn about how Updates at Penrose Library Enhance Library Users’ Experiences.
 

Penrose Library will undergo the next stages of its improvement project starting on Mon., Jan. 6.

Published on Jan. 3, 2025 | Updated on Thu., Jan. 30, 2025

Building on efforts started in February 2024 to increase the safety and security of Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) patrons and staff, Penrose Library is gearing up for another round of updates starting in January 2025. Plans have been made to update the Computer Lab, Children’s area, both the east and west entrances, and the security monitoring and alarm systems. 

Penrose Library will remain open for the duration of this project. The Computer Lab and Children's area will be closed during construction. Library users can check out laptops or Chromebooks for use inside the Library by visiting the service desk. All Children's programming will continue as scheduled. Participants can join the programs by entering through the Aspen Meeting Room.

The user experience in the Computer Lab will be enhanced with a more open floor plan allowing for smaller collaborative spaces and increased availability of computers. New desks will be installed that will increase user privacy and create a more user-friendly environment. The service desk will be updated to provide for safer and comprehensive management of the computer lab. A Chromebook charging kiosk will also be installed. 

The shelving in the Children’s area will be lowered to improve sightlines and lighting. To increase child safety and provide noise reduction, a glass storefront will be installed to enclose the area. Also, the Library’s youngest patrons will be welcomed into their renovated space with a new hand-painted mural by a Colorado artist. 

Both the east and west entrances will receive updated exterior doors. New service desks will be installed at both entrances with an ADA approach height so that all patrons and staff can enjoy interactions at a desk suited to their needs. The east entrance (off Cascade Ave.) will have an energy-saving air curtain installed and be designed for better incoming and outgoing traffic flow. The Friends of PPLD will also be expanding their bookstore.  

To increase security throughout the building, an updated security monitoring and alarm system will be installed. 

PPLD is looking forward to completing these updates and continuing to create a safe, welcoming, and comfortable environment for all users of Penrose Library. This Library is a strong part of the downtown Colorado Springs area and is proud to continue to be a contributing part of the thriving Downtown community. Ensuring a safe and secure environment for all to access the Library’s resources and spaces has been and will continue to be at the foundation of Pikes Peak Library District. We thank you for your patience and understanding during this time. 

Updates are expected to be completed in March 2025.  

Penrose Library reopens with Open House!

Published on Mon., April 1, 2024

Penrose Library will be completing the first stage of updates planned for 2024 and reopening to the public on Wed., April 10 at 4 p.m. This is the only stage that requires closing the building to complete, as all other updates are expected to proceed while the Library is open.

During National Library Week, April 7 – 13, Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) will be hosting open houses throughout the Library District to celebrate libraries and what they bring to our communities. When Penrose Library reopens at 4 p.m. on April 10, this will serve as that location’s Open House and everyone is invited.

Penrose closing for security updates starting February 2024

Published on Mon., Jan. 8, 2024

Updates are coming to Penrose Library in early 2024. In a concerted effort to increase the safety and security of Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) patrons and staff, Library leadership has determined that a significant investment in the systems, structures/facilities, and resources in use at Penrose Library is paramount. Staff and community members have asked that the Library District address this location specifically, and leadership has listened to that feedback. After careful evaluation, the Library District determined the most efficient updates that are financially feasible for PPLD and that provide the biggest return on time and funds invested. 

Although Penrose Library will not need to be closed for the majority of the plan implementation (predicted to take most of 2024 to complete), the beginning stages of the plan do require closing the facility. Penrose Library will be closed for approximately two months starting Thu., Feb. 1 in order to complete this stage of updates. During the closure, bookshelves will be shortened and reconfigured to increase shelf space, brighten the area, and increase visibility and accessibility. This process requires removing all of the books, disassembling the shelving units, sending them out for modification, and then reassembling them in their new configuration before reshelving the books. Only this stage will require closing the building, as all other updates are expected to proceed while the building is open. Other elements of this project will require the closure of smaller sections of Penrose Library for shorter periods of time in the coming months. Here are the planned changes that will not require a building closure to complete:

• Moving the lockers currently located along the wall near our Regional History & Genealogy department to the west entrance and installing another set of lockers at the east entrance for patrons to store belongings during their visit.
• Installation of boulders in the outdoor areas around the windows of the Children’s section.
• Interior stairwell fencing installed below the main and west stairwells.
• A visually appealing steel fence (resembling the one around the Carnegie Garden next to Penrose Library) installed around the premises.
• Creation of a permanent structure in the back parking lot in which people with large belongings may store their items short-term during their visit.
• Remodel of the computer lab.
• Replacing existing tables and chairs with more functional furniture.
• Removal of outlets and installation of a charging station near the front entrance.
• Repositioning staff desks to strategic locations throughout the building.
• Sectioning off the Children’s area to make it its own distinct room.
• Updating all security hardware throughout the building, including the installation of ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant speakers.

PPLD is excited to update Penrose Library to improve safety and security for all patrons and staff. Penrose is a strong part of the downtown Colorado Springs area, and the Library is proud to continue to be a contributing part of this thriving community. Ensuring a safe and secure environment for all to access the Library’s resources and spaces has been and will continue to be at the foundation of Pikes Peak Library District. We thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

Accessing Regional History & Genealogy

While Penrose Library is closed, limited Regional History & Genealogy resources will be available.

Virtual assistance

When needed, patrons can schedule a virtual meeting with Regional History & Genealogy staff for one-on-one help to address specific research needs.

Microfilm

While Penrose Library is closed, Microfilm may be requested from Regional History & Genealogy, in advance, to be sent and viewed at East Library. Patrons will need to give four-days’ notice before the film will be available to them. East Library staff will contact patrons when their film is ready to view. Patrons must view the film at East Library (items do not circulate outside of the library). Microfilm requests from Interlibrary Loan during this time will also be available from East Library.

Database Access

Certain PPLD databases that are only available at Penrose Library are currently available at other locations while Penrose Library is closed.

• Westlaw: Available at East Library
• Foundation Directory Professional: Available at Library 21c

Voting is both a right and a responsibility, and democracy works best when everyone participates. Learn more about making your voice heard with the Library’s nonpartisan Voting & Elections Guide for information about:  

• How to register to vote or update your voter registration, as well as useful information for first-time voters   
• How you can vote, including when to expect to receive your ballot via mail, when and how to return your completed ballot, and where you can return your mail-in ballot on or before Election Day     
• What will be on the ballot, including candidates running for elected office as well as local ballot measures   

This nonpartisan resource guide, compiled and maintained by PPLD librarians, also includes other useful information like finding news sources, fact checking, and identifying fake news. You can also find information on your current legislators and see how political campaigns are financed.  

Here are other ways that PPLD can help you prepare and participate in upcoming elections:   

• There are secure, 24-hour ballot drop boxes outside of East Library and Library 21c. They are accessible by vehicle, bicycle, or on foot. (Fun facts: These are two of 39 total ballot drop boxes across El Paso County. Plus, East Library has the LARGEST ballot box in the state! It had to be specially built and installed due to high use by local voters.)
• Political literature may be available inside your local library as the general election date gets closer. If space allows, at Library locations, there’s usually a table dedicated to this purpose with clearly marked signage, and anyone can display political information in this spot only. (PPLD does not endorse any political campaigns.) 

For anyone interested in petitioning, hosting a voter registration drive, or conducting other civic engagement activities on any PPLD property, please review our Solicitation Policy.  

Who can vote in Colorado?

• U.S. Citizens.
• Individuals who are 17 years old if they will be 18 years old by election day (but 15 to 17-year-olds can preregister!). 
• People who have lived in Colorado for 22 days or more before election day. 
• People who are not in detention in a correctional facility, jail, or other facility for a felony conviction. 
• People who have finished their sentence for a felony conviction are eligible to vote. 
• People who are currently on parole, on probation, or serving a sentence for a misdemeanor, are eligible to vote.

Pikes Peak Library District’s (PPLD) Mobile Library Services has added a new weekly stop in the Rockrimmon area starting Fri., Feb. 21. Every Friday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., the bookmobile will stop at Wilson Ranch Park located at 2335 Allegheny Drive. This is one of three parks our Mobile Libraries visit in Colorado Springs.

Three PPLD staff members will be at the bookmobile weekly to provide Library resources, services, and seasonal programming. It is just a short distance from the shopping center that previously housed the District’s Rockrimmon Library location.

“This is an incredible neighborhood park that is very busy and has a lot of space,” said PPLD Director of Branches Janina Karoub. “The vehicles we will be using are able to transport a large quantity of Library materials, so we anticipate being busy. We are also extremely excited to have secured this location and cannot wait to start hosting Rockrimmon patrons in their community.”

Wilson Ranch Park is easily accessible for people who need additional support to use the bookmobile; vehicles can easily enter and exit the parking lot safely. Additionally, the park offers a seasonal pool, tennis courts, a playground, and portable restrooms, making it an appealing destination for the bookmobile services.

We considered four other locations while looking for an ideal spot for the new mobile stop. The other locations didn’t meet our standards for a quality bookmobile experience for our patrons due to factors like fees, safety concerns, and limited hours of availability.

Library users who want to start using this mobile stop as their primary location to pick up their holds should contact our Mobile Library Services team by calling (719) 531-6333, x7702 or emailing bookmobile@ppld.org. 

Applications are closed and a keynote speaker has been chosen, more information can be found here

Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) is excited to open author applications for the 2025 Mountain of Authors Local Author Showcase! Local authors can apply to be part of this year’s in-person or virtual author showcase. The event will be held on Sat., May 17 at Library 21c. This is an exciting afternoon of networking and connecting with other authors and the public. 

Applications will be open from Feb. 10 – March 3. (applications are now closed)

A limited number of applicants will be invited to be part of the in-person author showcase. In-person authors will have a table at the event for networking opportunities and book sales. Authors will be responsible for their own book sales and transactions. Authors not selected for the in-person showcase can be part of our Virtual Author Showcase, where authors will create videos promoting their books to be part of the virtual event.

Learn more about this annual celebration of writing and local literature on our Mountain of Authors page.  

Thanks to you, our amazing community, 2024 was another excellent year for Library use across the District. Libraries are a vital lifeline for the whole community. We offer resources for education at all ages, financial planning, regional history, homeschooling, genealogy, small business, hobbies, homework help, early literacy, and so much more. Thank you for being Library users!

Our community made outstanding use of our eLibrary resources across the board. For the second year in a row, we reached over 3 million checkouts in a single year on OverDrive and Libby. You also checked out 52,944 items on Hoopla. 

Registration increased for many of our annual programs this year as well. We had 5,070 people register for our Winter Adult Reading Program (a 25% increase from 2023). Our 2024 Summer Adventure, presented by Children’s Hospital Colorado, opened to adults for the first time and had 18,302 people register (a 27% increase from 2023). 

In July, we started reading Go As a River with our community and had the pleasure of hearing from its Colorado-local author, Shelley Read during our All Pikes Peak Reads author presentation. Due to the high interest, we had to add a second author presentation! 
We welcomed 28,308 new library cardholders in 2024, and every month nearly 60 thousand people in our community used their PPLD library card. We had 1,905,097 people visit PPLD locations to check out 2,175,331 physical materials, use our meeting and study rooms (32,630 reservations), and use computers (224,751 users). More than 132,912 people attended our 4,120 programs, and 3,588 people checked out Culture Passes to visit nearby museums and attractions. We also answered 98,861 of your burning questions. We look forward to seeing how our community continues to use the Library in 2025! 

Here are the top book checkouts of 2024: 

Top 10 Juvenile checkouts

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
2. Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling 
3. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
4. Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix by J.K. Rowling
5. City of Spies by James Ponti
6. Wonder by R.J. Palacio
7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
8. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No Brainer by Jeff Kinney
9. The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor
10. Time of the Turtle King by Mary Pope Osborne

Top 10 Young Adult checkouts

1. The Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan 
2. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
3. Eragon by Christopher Paolini 
4. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
5. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
6. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
7. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
8. The Sun and the Star by Rick Riordan
9. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
10. The Giver by Lois Lowry

Top 10 Adult checkouts

1. The Women by Kristin Hannah
2. Go As a River by Shelley Read (our 2024 All Pikes Peak Reads title)
3. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
4. First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
5. Tom Lake: A Novel by Ann Patchett
6. The Secret by Lee Child
7. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
8. Think Twice by Harlan Coben
9. The Murder Inn by James Patterson
10. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Published on Mon., Jan. 13, 2025

The much-anticipated Grand Reopening for Manitou Springs Library will take place on Fri., Feb. 7 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) staff have been hard at work preparing to move back into the historic Carnegie Library building that had been their original PPLD home since January 2013. Thanks to a colocation agreement, for the past three years the Library resided in the Manitou Arts Center due to accessibility limitations at its original location. A recent renovation project made the building more accessible and ADA compliant so now everyone can visit and enjoy the Library.

Join us for opening remarks starting at 4:30 p.m. followed by an open house with live music, refreshments, and activities from 5 – 6:30 p.m. where you can come in and see the updates.  

Manitou Springs Library temporarily closing to prepare for move to newly renovated Carnegie Library building

Published on Fri., Oct. 18, 2024

In preparation for its early 2025 move back to its original location, Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) will close Manitou Springs Library on Fri., Nov. 1.

Manitou Springs Library moved to its current location in March 2021, after vacating the Carnegie Library building it inhabited due to ADA compliance issues with the historic building. Since then, the Library has been colocated with the Manitou Art Center (MAC).  

Over the last three years the City of Manitou Springs and a dedicated local task force have worked diligently to raise the money needed to update the Carnegie Library to comply with today’s accessibility requirements. Funding included support from the Library District and led to the city breaking ground on the renovation project in January 2024. The project is currently expected to be completed in November 2024. 

• Library users with items checked out at Manitou Springs Library can check for extended due dates through My Account or by calling (719) 531-6333 and selecting 0 for staff assistance.
• The book drop will be closed at 5 p.m. on Fri., Nov. 1 and Library users will not be able to return materials to Manitou Springs Library during the closure. 
• All holds designated for pickup at Manitou Springs Library will be suspended beginning Wed., Oct. 23 and will remain suspended until the Library reopens. Library users can select a different pick-up location and unsuspend holds through My Account or by calling (719) 531-6333 and selecting 0 for staff assistance. 
• Makerspace equipment will no longer be available at Manitou Springs Library after Thu., Oct. 31. Equipment is available for reservation at our three makerspace locations. 
• Library users will have access to the Manitou Art Center with their PPLD library card until Fri., Nov. 15.  

PPLD will vacate the shared space with the MAC in mid-November. While the Library District’s partnership with the MAC is ending, PPLD is grateful the partnership allowed us to continue to serve the community while the Carnegie building was being renovated to be accessible to all.  

The Library District and the City of Manitou Springs are working closely together to organize grand opening activities in early 2025 to celebrate its return to the Library’s historic home in the community. 

Library users are encouraged to use this opportunity to visit and explore other Library locations while this relocation is completed. 

Manitou Springs Library has Relocated

Published on Sun., Feb. 21, 2021

Uniting Manitou Springs’ library and art center to enrich community

The community of Manitou Springs now can find art, literature, creative studios, meeting spaces, and the vast resources and services of the public library all one place! Thanks to a new co-location partnership, Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) has relocated Manitou Springs Library to the Manitou Art Center (MAC). Building upon a decade of trust and cooperation, PPLD and the MAC transformed the historic building at 515 Manitou Avenue to become a shared space that extends more benefits to local artists, Library cardholders, and the greater community. PPLD can offer more than traditional library resources and services – and in a way that’s accessible – to all in Manitou Springs. The MAC will join us in welcoming more residents to learn, connect, create, and tinker with their already extensive offering of equipment and creative spaces. Manitou Springs Library officially opened inside of the MAC on Fri., March 5, 2021. Patrons can now safely browse the collection, speak with a librarian, book a computer session, or use the fax, scan, and copier machine. Curbside services are also available at the new co-location.

Get your limited-edition library card while supplies last!

Congratulations to artist Susan Odiam of Manitou Springs! Her original creation will be featured on our limited-edition card to celebrate the relocation of Manitou Springs Library to the MAC.

“We’re thrilled to pair our physical collection and other library services with an organization so focused on serving residents of Manitou Springs,” said PPLD Chief Librarian and CEO John Spears. “Their facilities will immeasurably enhance what we can provide to the local community.” 
As the shared spaces expand in the future, Manitou Springs Library and the MAC will offer broader access to on-site meeting rooms, computer labs, makerspaces, art studios, and workforce development opportunities. The new co-location partners look forward to a future with more synergy, right in the heart of Manitou Springs, to support people’s aspirations, foster creativity and innovation, and boost prosperity. 
“We’re excited to see what other long-term benefits arise from this venture, like increasing access to the MAC and expanding PPLD opportunities in Manitou Springs,” said MAC Executive Director Natalie Johnson. “We will leverage each other’s strengths of service.” 
PPLD’s departure from the historic Carnegie building provides the City of Manitou Springs with necessary time to plan for its future, while still allowing the Library to adequately serve the public right now. PPLD’s leadership welcomes the opportunity to work with the City and return to the historic Carnegie building – if an expansion or facility improvements allow the Library to serve residents of all abilities, and everyone also has the opportunity to take advantage of other common services across El Paso County like access to meeting and study rooms, makerspaces, and more. 
In the meantime, PPLD and the MAC looks forward to a strong co-location partnership so both can best serve the community now and into the foreseeable future. It’s beneficial for PPLD cardholders, MAC members, local artists, community partners, taxpayers, and the local economy. 
“This is what can happen when we unite to find ways to better serve our community regardless of the circumstances,” shared Andy Vick, Executive Director for the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region. “I applaud Pikes Peak Library District and the Manitou Art Center for their collaboration, and I hope other organizations are inspired to move beyond traditional community partnerships and consider embracing the shared-space model that capitalizes on existing resources and plays to each other’s strengths.” 
“Such alliances can lead to more people and businesses flourishing, which is what we need to strengthen the fabric of our communities for years to come.”

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 CultureGrams and Peterson’s Test Prep.  

You will need a library card that starts with a 4 to access some of the resources on this page outside of a Library location.

CultureGrams Online

What holidays do people celebrate in Nigeria? What recipes are very Colorado? What famous person came from Saskatchewan? Satisfy your cultural curiosity or explore the world from home with CultureGrams Online. This colorful database includes in-depth information about states, provinces, and countries. The database is user-friendly and laid out in a way that makes it easy to enjoy on your own or with any curious young people in your life.

On the map, click the place you want to learn about, and off you go! Each entry includes basic information such as climate, wildlife, geography, and economics, or you can read up on famous people, significant history, and other interesting cultural notes.  

Country pages include infographics and audio clips of national anthems or other cultural sounds. You will also find helpful information on cultural gestures, basic greetings (which you can listen to), and other details. 

As a fun bonus, U.S. state and Canadian province entries include recipes! 

Did we mention that there is a kids’ section? Kids will enjoy additional information about schools, holidays, what games and sports people play, what life is like for children, and other details they can relate to. 

Peterson’s Test Prep

You might be aware that Peterson’s Test Prep supports students, but do you know about its uses outside of academics? This resource helps you achieve both your academic and career goals.

Learn key skills in bookkeeping and cosmetology, or find the study guides you need for vocational tests in postal work, teaching, real estate, the food industry, emergency services, law enforcement, and other careers. Additionally, there are courses where you can brush up on your foundational computer, science, math, reading, and writing skills for work. If your employer uses ACT Workkeys tests, you can also find study guides for those here.

English language learners and people preparing for the U.S. Citizenship test will also find helpful study guides.

If you are on a job hunt, check out the career advice, online resume, and job searching tools

For students, Peterson’s Test Prep offers study guides for a variety of school subjects (including Advanced Placement), college test prep guides, and graduate school test guides (GRE, LSAT, GMAT, and others). Other handy tools include school search, scholarship search, and financial aid information. 

With taxes due on Tue., April 15, 2025, tax time is right around the corner. Save yourself a headache – don't wait until the last minute! Your Library has everything you need to file on time, including live tax preparation help (by appointment only) provided through our partners.  

Tax Assistance at PPLD

Get help preparing and filing your tax returns! AARP Foundation Tax-Aide & VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program) (geared towards low- to moderate-income taxpayers) offer free tax preparation services on-site at four Library locations, thanks to a team of IRS-certified volunteers.

Free Tax preparation services will be at the following Library locations from Jan. 29 through April 12 BY APPOINTMENT ONLY: 

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide

(open to people of all ages and income levels) 

• Library 21c – Feb. 4 - April 10
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • Wednesdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

Call (719) 235-6757 or visit cotaxaide.org/appt beginning Wed., Jan. 15 to make an appointment. 

• Fountain Library – Jan. 29 - April 12
  • Wednesdays from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Saturdays from 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
    • Feb. 1, 15, and 22
    • March 1, 15, 29
    • April 5 and 12

Call (719) 508-2629 or visit cotaxaide.org/appt beginning Sun., Jan. 12 to make an appointment. 

• Sand Creek Library – Feb. 6 - April 10
  • Thursdays from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

Call (719) 203-1205 or visit cotaxaide.org/appt starting Wed., Jan.15 to make an appointment. 

VITA – Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program – Pikes Peak United Way

(for individuals who earned less than $67,000 in 2024) 

• High Prairie Library
  • Sat., Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Sat., March 22 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Sat., April 5 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Call 2-1-1 on or after Wed., Jan. 22 to make an appointment. 

Tax Documents and Resources

Although Library staff cannot give tax advice, our Tax Resources Subject Guide is here to help you file on time. Find federal, Colorado, and other state tax forms, tax assistance, FAQs for accessing your IRS account information, and other useful information. Please note that our libraries do not stock federal or state tax forms or booklets, but you can print your forms using Library computers. 

Where can you see world-class athletes train for their sport? At the Colorado Springs Olympic & Paralympic Training Center (CSOPTC), of course! The center, located right here in El Paso County, is the flagship training center for over 10,000 Team USA athletes each year. The center provides elite facilities for multiple sports, housing, dining, and cutting-edge sports medicine and sports science facilities.

Pikes Peak Library District offers library cardholders an inside look into this exceptional facility. Check out a Pikes Peak Culture Pass and get a first-hand look at where Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls in various sports train to be selected to represent the United States as a part of Team USA. Take a guided tour of the facility, where you will see the strength and conditioning gym, aquatics center, wrestling gym, multi-purpose sport centers, and more. You may even catch some resident athletes training during your visit! 

The center trains athletes in cycling, figure skating, swimming, shooting, track and field, boxing, wrestling, basketball, volleyball, and other competitive sports. With so many Team USA athletes living, training, and working in Colorado Springs, the training center’s participation in the Culture Pass program offers a great opportunity to see elite-level training facilities filled with athletes preparing for the next Olympic and Paralympic Games.  

It is exciting to know that some of the world’s greatest have trained at the CSOPTC. From Michael Phelps to one Team USA’s newest gold medalists, Freestyle Wrestler Amit Elor, the OPTC is your front row seat to the Olympic & Paralympic Movement.

Visit ppld.org/culturepass to get your no-cost pass to witness our nation’s best athletes aspire to take the world stage. For more information about visiting the CSOPTC visit teamusa.com.

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 Mango Languages and CustomGuide.

You will need a library card that starts with a 4 to access some of the resources on this page outside of a Library location.

Mango Languages

If you plan to travel out of country, are studying a language on your own or as a class, or want stronger English language skills, give yourself a boost with lessons from Mango Languages. This handy tool offers a selection of 70 languages to choose from, including English as a Second Language options for speakers of 21 different languages.

Work your way through micro lessons where you can hear and practice new vocabulary and grammar patterns. Lessons also include notes on grammar and culture in between vocabulary exercises to help you learn your new language.

With daily reviews, lesson recaps, and reading and listening challenges, this platform is designed to help you retain more of what you learn.

CustomGuide

Choose from a wide selection of online courses to help you further develop your professional skills. CustomGuide (formerly Learn on Demand) takes a more active approach to your skills development through interactive lessons instead of training videos for stronger learning results. 

• If you are a first-time user, you will need to create an account to get started. From there, you can complete short online courses related to:
• Business Skills (accounts and financing, communication, and professional development)
• Career Development (job hunting, personal branding, career coaching, and more)
• Compliance & Safety (drugs and alcohol, Human Resources compliance, cybersecurity, and more)
• Customer Service  
• Diversity & Inclusion (bias awareness, diversity basics, and diversity leadership)
• Google (Gmail, Google Docs, Google Meet, and more)
• Human Resources
• Leadership & Management  
• Microsoft (Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, and more)
• Sales & Marketing
• Technology (computer basics, Mac, and software)
• Training (authoring software, instructional design, and training trainers)
• Wellness (mental health, personal growth, work-life balance, and more)

Before you start a course, you can view how long it will take to complete. Do not be put off if it says it will take an hour or more to finish. Each course is broken down into a series of short lessons that you can start and stop at any time. Do a quick lesson while you wait for your toast to pop up in the morning or any time you find a few minutes of downtime.

When you click on a course, you will see a preview of what you will learn in each lesson. Each has a pre-assessment where you can test yourself on what you already know, an interactive lesson, and a post-assessment for you to test what you learned. With no time limits and the flexibility to start and stop whenever you want, you will learn at your own pace.