Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain (PPAM), standing over 14,000 feet tall, is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Colorado and has played a significant role in shaping the history and culture of the region. It famously inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write "America the Beautiful" after her visit to the summit in 1893. For generations, Pikes Peak has been a destination for adventurers, nature lovers, and history enthusiasts alike.

From October through April, Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) cardholders can experience the majesty of this iconic peak at no charge through PPLD’s Culture Pass program.

A beloved tourist destination, PPAM became a Culture Pass partner in 2023 to give patrons greater access to this iconic landmark. With a rich history and abundant outdoor recreation, and interpretive programs, Pikes Peak offers PPLD cardholders the chance to explore and enjoy the mountain like never before. By becoming a Culture Pass partner, Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain makes it even easier for the community to experience all that this remarkable destination has to offer. 

Guests can make their way to the summit on the Pikes Peak Highway as they meander through three distinct ecosystems including the Montane, Subalpine, and Alpine Zones.  The Pikes Peak Highway offers three visitor centers along the ascent including the Crystal Gift Shop adjacent to Crystal Reservoir and Glenn Cove just under the tree line. 

As soon as guests reach the summit, they are surrounded by the natural beauty of Pikes Peak, with the building and outdoor walkways thoughtfully designed to blend seamlessly into the landscape, creating an immersive experience. Visitors can also enjoy the state-of-the-art Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center, at 14,115 feet! The new visitor center, which opened in June 2021, provides people of all ages and abilities improved accessibility throughout the entire summit, engaging interpretive exhibits that share the history of the mountain, a revamped gift shop, and indoor and outdoor dining areas where guests can enjoy a world-famous Pikes Peak donut and other delicious treats while taking in the expansive views. 

Many people recognize Pikes Peak-America’s Mountain from events like the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon, and the AdAmAn Club’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks display. PPAM also offers a range of exciting activities and events, including the annual Youth Fishing Derby, volunteer cleanup days, sunrise openings, interpretive programs, and festive holiday celebrations. These are fantastic opportunities to enhance your understanding of the mountain’s ecosystems and history, which holds a significant place in Indigenous and local communities.

A trip to Pikes Peak offers both an unforgettable outdoor experience and a chance to connect with the natural and cultural history of the region. Check out your no-cost Culture Pass today and discover why Pikes Peak continues to inspire awe and adventure! 

Learn about heritage and culture this October with Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD). On this page, discover resources, web links, and booklists for some of the nationally recognized holidays and heritage months. Explore National Disability Employment Awareness Month and Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
 

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) commemorates the contributions people with disabilities have made to workplaces and to the U.S. economy. Below, PPLD has compiled a list of books, resources, and websites with more information.

Booklist 

• The Power of Potential: How a Nontraditional Workforce Can Lead You to Run Your Business Better, by Tom D’Eri
• The Disability Experience: Working Toward Belonging, by Hannalora Leavitt and Belle Wuthrich

PPLD Resources

Disability Resources Guide
In this guide, find information about Assistive Technology at PPLD, along with books, websites, and local resources on disabilities.

Intelligent Lives, film on Kanopy
Intelligent Lives stars three pioneering young American adults with intellectual disabilities – Micah, Naieer, and Naomie – who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate high school, college, and the workforce.

Websites 

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)
From the Office of Disability Employment Policy, part of the U.S. Department of Labor, this website contains information on NDEAM, including resources for employers, key messages for the month, and 31 activities to commemorate NDEAM throughout October. 

The Campaign for Disability Employment
Learn ways that you and your organization can recognize National Disability Awareness Month, from the Campaign for Disability Employment.

The American Association of People with Disabilities 
The American Association of People with Disabilities works to increase the political and economic power of disabled people.

Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
DVR provides services which can include vocational guidance and counseling, short- or long-term training, job seeking skills, job development and coaching, assistive technology, and accommodations.

The Independence Center
The Independence Center provides information, resources, and support for disabled people to live, learn, work, play, and participate in civic life accessibly.

Job Accommodation Network
The Job Accommodation Network is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on job accommodations and disability employment issues.

Pikes Peak Workforce Center – Accessibility to Services
The Pikes Peak Workforce Center connects businesses with work-ready job seekers and employer-driven services. They help residents of El Paso & Teller counties with career transition, whether they are unemployed, underemployed, or employed.

Rocky Mountain ADA Center
The Rocky Mountain ADA Center provides information, guidance, and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) tailored to meet the needs of individuals and organizations in our region. 
 

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Colorado Springs resides on land inhabited for thousands of years by indigenous peoples, including the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho Tribes. Artifacts found at Garden of the Gods, one of Colorado Springs’ most beautiful natural attractions, date back an astonishing 3,500 years. The following resources can be used to learn more about the original inhabitants of Colorado and other lands.

Booklist 

• Overdrive/Libby: Indigenous Peoples
• Warrior Artists: Historic Cheyenne and Kiowa Indian Ledger Art, by Herman J. Viola, Zotum Making Medicine, George P. Horse Capture, and Joseph D. Horse Capture.
• Halfbreed: the Remarkable True Story of George Bent, by David Fridtjof and Andrew Edward Masich
• Red twilight : the last free days of the Ute Indians, by Val FitzPatrick
• God is Red, by Vine Deloria
• Playing Indian, by Philip J. Deloria

PPLD Resources

Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes (Must have a library card that starts with a 4 to access outside of a Library location.)
Provides detailed studies of tribes from all over the United States and Canada, including small tribes and some that no longer exist. Gives detailed yet accessible information on history, religion, art, government, economy, daily life, and current social and political issues. 

Explore the Digital Collections 
Discover a wealth of historic photos and news articles from around the Pikes Peak region. A few possible search terms include Ute, Chipeta, Native American, American Indian, Severo, Sioux, and Chief Ouray.

Films on Kanopy

Use your library card to log into Kanopy and watch these films, or search “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” for more content:

• Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic
• Koneline: Our Land Beautiful

Websites

History Colorado – Native American History & Heritage
History Colorado documents and shares the living history of Indigenous peoples who originally inhabited this state. 

United Nations - International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
Explore information from the United Nations about the world’s Indigenous populations and the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. 

National Museum of the American Indian
Discover online resources, collections, and exhibits from the National Museum of the American Indian. 

Library of Congress - Living Nations, Living Words: A Guide for Educators
This guide from the Library of Congress offers teachers and other educators’ ideas for using U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo's signature project, "Living Nations, Living Words," in the classroom. 

National Park Service – Mesa Verde
Learn about Mesa Verde National Park, a World Heritage Site in Colorado where the cliff dwellings of Ancestral Pueblo people still stand.

National Park Service – Alaska Native Cultures
Find out about Alaska Native culture through stories, photos, history, and information.

Museum of Indigenous People
Explore an online gallery of photos and videos showcasing the arts and cultures of Indigenous Peoples. 

Your Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) library card gives you access to a world of possibilities. 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 JobNow and our Author Alert services. 

JobNow

Get set up for success with the numerous resources available through JobNow. You will find live help from experts, resources to peruse, and even online courses to hone your skills. 

Polish your resume with live online help or submit it to their resume lab. They have a selection of winning resume templates and resume resources for you to explore as well, where you can find a good match for your career search. 

When you are ready to launch into the job search itself, visit their live online job coaching to support your search and application process. The job resources section offers helpful job search resources to support your efforts. 

Prepare for the interview with live online interview coaching and find key interview tips. For further interview preparation, explore the online interview resources, and live life skills support, and give yourself a competitive edge with skills preparation courses. 

If you are not sure what career is best for you, check out the expert job matching questionnaire and career assessment, or find out what college majors and careers match your skills and interests.  

For even more career search support, check out our Job Search & Career Tools guide. 

Author Alert Services

Reading is a personal experience, and when you find an author that resonates with you, you likely want to read more of their work. Follow authors with ease through our Author Alert services! Get text or email notifications when the Library orders new titles by your favorite authors. You can also set up alerts for performers and directors if there are music artists or film makers you want to hear about. 

Setting up an alert is a no-stress process. Go to our online catalog. Next, search our catalog for an author or performer you want to follow. Next to each result, look for the “Add Author Alert” button. You will then have the option to add your email address or phone number where you would like to receive alerts. Done!  

You can also modify what authors and performers you want to hear about. In our online catalog, you will find "Add Author Alert” on the left side of the page under Reading Resources. Next, you will be asked to provide the phone number or email address where you get author alerts. After that step, you can remove or add authors and performers in your alert list and browse lists of recent and popular alerts added by other users.  

From there, kick back and relax. You will receive an alert the next time the Library adds an item from the authors and performers you love! 

Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) is excited to partner with The Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival to host two film screenings in their Festival in the Community program. Festival in the Community hosts free sneak-peak screenings of select films leading up to the film festival itself. These screenings provide a great opportunity to see the wonderful and thought-provoking films the Rocky Mountain Women’s Film brings to the Pikes Peak region. 

There is no cost to attend these film screenings, but registration is required.

Join us for the following film screenings: 

• Tue., Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m.
  Fountain Library
  230 S. Main St., Fountain, CO
  Register online here 
   
• Fri., Oct. 11 at 3 p.m.
  Library 21c
  1175 Chapel Hills Dr., Colorado Springs, CO
  Register online here 

The following short films will be presented at Fountain Library on Tue., Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m.: 

MOTORCYCLE MARY
Directed by Haley Watson

The untold story of legendary motorsports pioneer Mary McGee with stunning never-before-seen archival footage and stills, an undaunted racing career spanning thirty years that saw Mary shatter gender norms while mastering multiple racing disciplines. Following in her brother’s footsteps, Mary’s remarkable racing odyssey begins in the world of cars, where she outshines her male competitors, only to later discover her greatest sense of freedom racing motorcycles. Mary pushes herself to greater and greater heights—culminating in her most hair-raising challenge: Attempting to become the first person ever to solo the grueling Baja 500 on a motorcycle. 

STRONG GRANDMA
Directed by Cecilia Brown & Winslow Crane-Murdoch

Catherine Kuehn is a 95-year old world record winning deadlifter. As she prepares for her last competition she reflects on the love and loss that brought her to this moment. 

FIRE TOWER
Directed by Tova Krentzman

High in the Rocky Mountains, nestled in the boreal forest, are solitary sentinels who survey the landscape as a critical first line of defense in wildfire detection. As North America grapples every year with the threat and devastation of such fires, which is increasing due to climate change, those who work the watchtowers with a bird’s-eye view sound the critical alarm that warns of impending danger. Like the occupations of lighthouse keeper or astronaut, the remote locations and voluntary isolation that are part of the job—along with the very real risk of being struck by lightning—attract a unique kind of individual to this vocation. 

View film trailers for the Fountain Library film showing.

The following short films will be presented at Library 21c on Fri., Oct. 11 at 3 p.m.:

ULTIMATE CITIZENS
Directed by Francine Strickwerda

Ultimate Citizens, Jamshid is an Iranian who came to study in 1970’s America, and due to the Revolution, never went “home.” As a guidance counselor in Seattle Public Schools, Jamshid’s best work takes place on the playing field with “his kids,” the children of refugees and immigrants. Their parents are in the grips of their own struggles to make a living and a home in a strange land. Mr. Jamshid is the charismatic, fiery, funny human with a Frisbee in hand, who shows that love wins on the field, off the field, at home with family, or boldly forging a new community, in a new country – one kid, chicken, ultra-endurance race, and friend at a time.

BEARING WITNESS: A NAME & A VOICE
Directed by Dina Rudick

Bearing Witness: A Name & A Voice delves into the backstories and convictions of four extraordinary newspaper reporters. Their distinct personal narratives explain the profound motivations that fuel their work, as well as the indelible stories that continue to resonate within them – revealing the who behind the who-what-when-where, and why. The film challenges audiences to transcend the monolithic term “The Media” and instead see clearly individuals who propel it forward. 

View film trailers for the Library 21c film showing. 

Visit the Festival in the Community webpage for Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival’s complete listing of films that will be hosted throughout the community from Oct. 1 - 13, 2024. 

Explore heritage and culture this September with Pikes Peak Library District. On this page, discover resources, web links, and booklists for some of the nationally recognized holidays and heritage months. Explore Patriot Day, Suicide Prevention Month, and Hispanic Heritage Month. 

Patriot Day 

On September 11, 2001, the United States was changed forever when terrorist attacks targeting the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and the White House took the lives of 2,977 people. Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) has compiled a list of books and other resources about the anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001.  

Booklist:

• First Casualty: The Untold Story of the CIA mission to Avenge 9/11 by Toby Harden
• On That Day: The Definitive Timeline of 9/11 by William Arkin
• 9/11: One Day in America by National Geographic (DVD)
• America after 9/11 (DVD)    
• Ordinary Heroes: A Memoir of 9/11 by Joseph Pfeifer  
• Countdown Bin Laden: The Untold Story of the 247-day Hunt to Bring the Mastermind of 9/11 to Justice by Chris Wallace  
• The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral history of 9/11 by Garrett M. Graff  
• Fall and Rise: The Story of 9/11 by Mitchell Zuckoff

PPLD Resources:

Freegal  

• Patriot Day – Remember 9/11 (Music playlist)

Hoopla 

• 9/11: Inside Air Force One (Documentary)  
• 9/11: The Pentagon (Documentary)  
• 9/11: The Attack That Shook the World (eBook)  
• 9/11: I Was There (Documentary)

Kanopy

• Generation 9/11 (Documentary)  
• Failing to Connect the Dots (Documentary)  
• What Happened on September 11 (Documentary)  
• The Second Day (Documentary)

Website Links:

9/11 Memorial & Museum

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is committed to providing relevant and engaging learning opportunities for students, teachers, families, and the public.  

Library of Congress

In this collection from the Library of Congress, you will find historic articles, photos, book suggestions, archived websites, and more showing how people across the nation responded to the devastation of 9/11.  

September 11 Digital Archive 

The September 11 Digital Archive uses electronic media to collect, preserve, and present the history of September 11, 2001 and its aftermath. The Archive contains more than 150,000 digital items, including emails and other electronic communications, first-hand stories, and digital images.

National Archives – Remembering 9/11

Discover individual moments telling the story of 9/11 through speeches, articles and blogs, a calendar of events, and more, curated by the National Archives. 

Suicide Prevention Month 

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Below, find a curated list of websites, Library resources, and books to raise awareness and for support.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 for support. 

If you are uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can use a live text chat option with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org. 

Booklists:

• Resources for Parents & Children booklist
• Adult eBook list on OverDrive/Libby 

PPLD Resources: 

Tough Topics guide for teens – Mental Health and Suicide 
The resources in the Tough Topics guide are organized into a page for youth seeking support, as well as for parents and caregivers.

Community Resources at PPLD
If you find yourself in a difficult situation and aren’t sure where to turn, you are not alone. Pikes Peak Library District offers community resources information across the Library District. Our Community Resources Specialists are here to help you navigate and connect with services by providing referrals and information to get the help you need for your specific situation. Please note that these are not mental health services. 

Psychology & Behavioral Sciences database
This database contains full text information from more than 560 journals. It covers topics on emotional and behavioral characteristics, psychiatry and psychology, mental processes, anthropology, and observational and experimental methods. (Must have a library card that starts with a 4 to access outside of a Library location.) 

Helping Hands El Paso County Community Resources
Discover our subject guide filled with mental and behavioral health resources available in El Paso County. 

Websites

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention
The mission of Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention Partnership is to unite the community in addressing suicide in the Pikes Peak region through education, intervention, and postvention.

Colorado Crisis Services
Colorado Crisis Services provides free, confidential, and immediate support from trained professionals and peer specialists, available 24/7/365 by calling (844)493-8255 or texting TALK to 38255

Colorado Department of Public Health Resource Page 
Find Colorado mental health support information, how suicide impacts people in Colorado, suicide prevention, and resources to support you or your loved ones.

Weekends of Hope 
Throughout September, mental health advocates, organizations and community members nationwide come together to promote suicide prevention awareness. On this page, you will discover events from El Paso County Public Health and organizations across the community happening in September. 

Children’s Hospital Colorado: Why you should talk to kids about suicide, from the Children’s Hospital Colorado
This article from Children’s Hospital Colorado provides a parent and caregiver guide for identifying depression and talking to teens about mental health and suicide.

Children’s Hospital Colorado: Teen Suicide Prevention: Teaching Kids to Ask
Information provided by Children’s Hospital Colorado for parents and caregivers advising on warning signs for suicide among teens and discussing ways to empower teens with their mental health.

Child Mind Institute: Suicide and Self-Harm
Information about suicide prevention from the Child Mind Institute for parents and caregivers. 

National Alliance on Mental Health: Navigating through a mental health crisis guide
Learn about navigating mental health crisis in this informative guide by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. 

Hispanic Heritage Month 

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15 - Oct. 15, recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic and Latin Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. Below are resources where you can learn about and explore this heritage. 

Booklists

OverDrive and Libby
Use the Libby app or visit OverDrive’s website to browse this Hispanic Heritage booklist filled with eBooks and eAudiobooks for all ages. 

PPLD Resources

Hoopla
Discover music albums and eBooks for all ages by Hispanic creators or celebrating Hispanic heritage and culture on Hoopla. Download the app or use it in your web browser.

Kanopy films
Explore a variety of films and documentaries celebrating Hispanic heritage, culture, and creators in this curated Kanopy collection. You must set up a free Kanopy account to view. 

Spanish Language Materials

• Children's Materials in Spanish at PPLD
• OverDrive and Libby 

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 our Regional History & Genealogy department (located at Penrose Library) or search our catalog! Note that many of the above titles are only available at our Regional History & Genealogy department.

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 Pioneers Museum.  

National Archives – Hispanic Heritage Month
Explore Hispanic Heritage Month with articles, online exhibits and resources, Presidential Libraries, and other resources from the National Archives.

National Today – Hispanic Heritage Month
Read the history of Hispanic Heritage Month as a nationally recognized celebration, find information about traditions across the U.S., and find fun highlights.

History.com
This overview of Hispanic Heritage Month includes the history of this national celebration, and offers supplemental videos, articles, and images for you to explore.

Colorado Experience 
Watch Justicia Y Libertad from Rocky Mountain PBS. 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.

¡Colorín Colorado! Young Adult Booklists
Discover young adult booklists curated by ¡Colorín Colorado! featuring books on topics like immigration, growing up, and personal life stories, as well as booklists by genre.

¡Colorín Colorado! Children’s Booklists
Discover children’s booklists curated by ¡Colorín Colorado! featuring books about growing up Latino, histories and biographies, family stories, cultural traditions and holidays, and other topics.

Ballet Folklórico México Danza – Jalisco (San Franscisco Ethnic Dance Festival 2016
Watch as Ballet Folklórico México Danza brings Hispanic dances from Mexico to life in this festive video. 

PBS Kids Children’s Booklist
Find a list of picture books for children exploring Hispanic and Latinx heritage and culture curated by PBS Kids. 

Excitement is in the air as Space Foundation Discovery Center welcomes back visitors through the Pikes Peak Library District's (PPLD) Culture Pass program. After a highly anticipated $3.5 million expansion and renovation, this hands-on, interactive space and science center is now more captivating than ever. With new exhibits and engaging activities, the Discovery Center is poised to inspire and prepare the next generation of explorers and innovators right here in Colorado Springs. It is one of the great local attractions that PPLD library cardholders can check out no-cost entry passes for through the Pikes Peak Culture Pass program.

During its grand reopening in June, the Discovery Center unveiled eight new exhibits designed to spark curiosity and creativity. Highlights include the Drone Zone and the Boeing Additive Manufacturing Space Laboratory, where visitors can explore cutting-edge technologies. The Lockheed Martin Mars Robotics Laboratory has been redesigned to offer a fresh perspective on Mars exploration, and the Northrop Grumman Science Center now features the remarkable Science On a Sphere® display system, providing a dynamic view of our planet and beyond. 

Space Foundation remains dedicated to advancing science, technology, engineering, art, and math (also known as STEAM) education and fostering innovation. Now in its 12th year, their Discovery Center continues to be a hub where students, educators, and the broader community can celebrate the wonders of space, science, and technology. This commitment aligns perfectly with PPLD’s mission to enrich lives through learning and discovery. 

The collaboration between the Library District and Space Foundation has flourished, particularly through homeschool science programs. Last winter and spring, the Discovery Center hosted two well-received programs at East Library. These programs, offered at no cost to the Library, featured hands-on activities and knowledgeable educators and left a lasting impression on homeschool families. 

In addition to these programs, Space Foundation Discovery Center provided the Library District with a limited collection of Family Stargazing backpacks, available for checkout. These interactive kits include a family pass to Space Foundation Discovery Center, making it easier for families to explore space concepts together. The backpacks have been incredibly popular, further cementing the Library's role in supporting space education in El Paso County. 

Space Foundation Discovery Center also hosts Summer of Discovery continuing every Saturday through Aug. 31, featuring special programs, workshops, and events that explore the mysteries beyond our solar system. Pikes Peak Library District was thrilled to participate in one of the Saturday sessions to help connect visitors with the wonders of space. 

PPLD connects library cardholders with this local attraction through the Pikes Peak Culture Pass program.  

Dr. Terry Bramschreiber, Director of Space Foundation Discovery Center & Accreditation, emphasized the importance of the Culture Pass program: “The partnership with Pikes Peak Library District's Cultural Pass program is important as it provides broader community access and inspires a passion for STEAM learning. This collaboration ensures that more individuals can engage with innovative educational experiences at Space Foundation Discovery Center.” 

Space Foundation Discovery Center is one of 12 Culture Pass partners in the Pikes Peak region and the Denver area that you can explore using your PPLD library card. Check out a no-cost Culture Pass and enjoy your time exploring this newly renovated and expanded cultural attraction today! 

Memorial Day is a day to remember those who have fallen in service to our country. It was originally called Decoration Day from the tradition of decorating graves of the fallen with flowers, wreaths, and flags. While it was first widely observed on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the service of Civil War soldiers, after World War I it was expanded to honor those who had died serving the U.S. in any war. Congress designated the last Monday of May as Memorial Day as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act passed in 1971.

Booklists

• Honoring Our Military booklist (Overdrive/Libby)

PPLD Resources

Books

Books about the military can be found in our nonfiction and juvenile nonfiction sections. Look for these call numbers to find where these books are located:

• 355 – Military Science
• 623 – Military Engineering
• 973 – U.S. History
• Gale In Context: Elementary: Memorial Day
  Explore facts and history about Memorial Day with the kids in your life. (Must have a library card that starts with a 4 to access outside of a Library location.)
• Gale In Context: U.S. History: Memorial Day
  Experience Memorial Day in new ways through videos, articles, biographies, images, and more in this history database. (Must have a library card that starts with a 4 to access outside of a Library location.)

Websites

• Memorial Day (Visit Colorado Springs)
  Find out about Memorial Day events and activities coming up in Colorado Springs and the surrounding area.
• 9 Things You May Not Know About Memorial Day (History Channel)
  What do modern Memorial Day celebrations have in common with ancient traditions? Who organized one of the earliest Memorial Day commemorations? What town was the real birthplace of Memorial Day? Read this article to learn more! 
• Celebrating America’s Freedoms (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
  Explore the origins of Memorial Day and find out how different states celebrate.
• The History of Memorial Day (PBS)
  Learn about the origins of Memorial Day, and visit the Wall of Remembrance to share memories about service members in your life or view memories left by others. 
• Memorial Day: A Commemoration (National Archives)
  View videos, articles and blogs, and more about Memorial Day from the National Archives.
• The WWI Origins of the Poppy as a Remembrance Symbol (History Channel)
  The poppy hasn’t always been a symbol of remembrance. Learn the WWI origins of this well-recognized symbol.  

Help celebrate the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and Team USA with a limited-edition U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum (USOPM) library card! This beautiful commemorative card will be available starting Fri., May 31 just in time for Pikes Peak Library District’s (PPLD) 2024 Summer Adventure presented by Children’s Hospital Colorado reading program.

The card features artwork by LeRoy Neiman, the official painter for five Olympic Games, and now PPLD cardholders can enjoy his artwork on their library card.

As a special bonus, the limited-edition library card can be used this summer for free children’s admissions at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum. From May 31 – July 31, Library cardholders may present the limited-edition card upon entry at the museum for free admission for a child 12 years of age and younger with a paying adult. The card will be available on a first-come basis, while supplies last.

Don't miss this special library card that will help get you in the spirit of the games this summer! 

The Shivers Concert Series has been raising funds to support local culture and arts for 31 years. These concerts benefit the Shivers Fund 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 Spring Concert, the first of three concerts this year, features baritone Shyheim Hinnant, mezzo soprano Stephanie Brink, and violist Solomon Leonard, as well as a Tuskegee Airman reenactment by John Thomas. Join us for this celebration of the arts and support the Shivers Fund in providing opportunities for our community to celebrate diversity in history, culture, and the arts. This concert takes place on Fri., May 17 at 6 p.m. at the Fine Arts Center at Colorado College. 

Durthy Washington will be selling and signing her books at the event. 

Thank you to the Fine Arts Center at Colorado College for hosting this event. Also, at the Fine Arts Center right now is the Clarence Shivers: Experiments with Form exhibit, showcasing more than 30 works of paintings, prints, and sculpture that offer an expansive view of Clarence Shivers’ prolific career. 

Purchase your tickets today!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month – a time to learn more about and recognize the importance of taking care of our mental health and well-being. With so much focus on physical health, it’s easy to forget that our minds require love and attention, too. This month also serves as an important reminder for everyone to check in with friends and family who may need additional support. 

Booklists

• Mental Health Awareness Adult Nonfiction Titles
• Mental Health books on Overdrive and Libby 

PPLD Resources

• Tough Topics guide for teens: Mental Health and Suicide
  The resources in the Tough Topics guide are organized into a page for youth seeking support, as well as parents and caregivers.
• Tough Topics Bookmark
  A printed resource for teens available at Library locations. These bookmarks have book call numbers that can help anyone find books on the shelves dealing with mental health-related topics. Phone numbers for local resources are also listed. 
• Community Resources at PPLD
  We have all found ourselves in a difficult situation and we aren’t always sure where to turn. Pikes Peak Library District offers community resources information across the District. Our Community Resources Specialists are here to help you navigate and connect with services by providing referrals and information to get the help you need for your specific situation. Please note that these are not mental health services.
• Helping Hands El Paso County Community Resources 
  Discover mental and behavioral health resources available in El Paso County.
• Psychology & Behavioral Sciences database 
  This database contains full text information from more than 560 journals. It covers topics on emotional and behavioral characteristics, psychiatry and psychology, mental processes, anthropology, and observational and experimental methods. (Must have a library card that starts with a 4 to access outside of a Library location.)

Websites

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
  The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
• Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention
  The mission of Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention Partnership is to unite the community in addressing suicide in the Pikes Peak region through education, intervention, and postvention.
• Colorado Crisis Services
  Colorado Crisis Services provides free, confidential, and immediate support from trained professionals and peer specialists, available 24/7/364 by calling 844-493-8255 or texting TALK to 38255.
• May is Mental Health Awareness Month (American Hospital Association)
  As Mental Health Awareness Month, May is a time to raise awareness of and reduce the stigma surrounding behavioral health issues, as well as highlighting the ways that mental illness and addiction can affect all of us – patients, providers, families, and our society at large. 
• National Alliance on Mental Health 
  The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
• Mental Health America 
  Mental Health America is the nation’s leading national nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of mental health, well-being, and illness prevention. Visit their Taking Good Care of Yourself page for tools to aid you in your mental health journey.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.
• National Institute of Mental Health
  The National Institute of Mental Health is dedicated to transforming the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses. Visit their Caring for your Mental Health page for helpful tips and tools for caring for your mental health.