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. 

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. 

Announcing an upcoming gallery exhibit at the Library! The exhibit will be at Penrose Library for the month of May, starting on Fri., May 3. 

On the day that the gallery opens, join us for a workshop with Asay from 4 – 5 p.m. at Library 21c. During the workshop, Asay will explore his inspiration, his career as a cartoonist, and the pieces featured in the gallery. Asay, who worked at the Taos News, the Colorado Springs Sun, and briefly for The Denver Post, was the featured political cartoonist for The Gazette for more than 20 years, from 1986 to 2007. He retired from The Gazette in March of 2007.

After his retirement, Asay’s art and commentary lived on in syndication for six more years, reaching audiences worldwide through hundreds of newspapers. In 2013 Asay put aside his pens, pencil, and paper after drawing a final cartoon in his lauded style announcing his full retirement in June of that year. 

Colorado Springs entrepreneur Jon Medved and the Medved Family Charitable Fund approached the Library about bringing Asay’s art to the Pikes Peak region. The exhibit highlights his work, applauds his talent, and fosters discussion about the artist’s commentary as a retrospective on the time nearly 40 years ago.

The exhibit will feature more than 30 of Asay’s cartoons through the end of March in the galleries at both Library 21c and East Library. It will be on display at Penrose Library later in 2024.

Stop by to browse the exhibit, and view much of Asay’s work online in our Digital Collections. Over the last few years, Pikes Peak Library District has worked with The Gazette to digitize more than 10,000 cartoons that Asay drew for the paper, archiving them in our digital photo archive housed by our Regional History & Genealogy department. 

Throughout May, the Library is celebrating Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, recognizing the cultures, experiences, and contributions of the AAPI community. Join us in celebrating with the booklists and resources on this page. 

Resources

• Kanopy 
  Enjoy films and documentaries by or celebrating AAPI people.
• Hoopla 
  Explore Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with movies and TV shows on Hoopla.
• CultureGrams 
  Experience the world through cultural information on more than 200 countries with CultureGrams and other resources in our Countries & Cultures Guide. In CultureGrams, explore all the U.S. states in colorful, engaging reports.
• Colorado Springs Chinese Cultural Institute 
  Learn about opportunities to connect with Chinese culture here in Colorado Springs with the Colorado Springs Chinese Cultural Institute.
• Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Resources for Teachers 
  This collection of lessons and resources for grades K – 12 social studies, literature, and the arts will help educators explore AAPI heritage with their students.
• National Park Service 
  Planning a vacation? Take in some of these historical sites from the National Park Service.
• Asian Art Museum 
  Find activities for kids and families and explore AAPI heritage in creative ways.
• Hmong flute/qeej 
  Learn about Asian and Pacific Island Instruments in this video.
• Japanese taiko drumming 
  Watch professional Japanese taiko drummers perform.
• Traditional Korean music 
  Jump into the world of traditional Korean music with this video from the Musical Instrument Museum of Brussels.  
   

Regional History & Genealogy Resources:

• Books from the Carnegie Library - Special Collections (Some titles are available for checkout from other library locations)
  • Voices from Colorado: perspectives of Asian Pacific Americans by Nestor J. Mercado
  • Asian American genealogical sourcebook by Paula K. Byers
  • Asians in Colorado: a history of persecution and perseverance in the Centennial State by William Wei
  • Chinaman's chance: the Chinese on the Rocky Mountain mining frontier by Liping Zhu
  • The road to Chinese exclusion: the Denver riot, 1880 election, and rise of the West by Liping Zhu
  • Chin Lin Sou: Chinese-American leader by Janet L. Taggart

Celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month with Pikes Peak Library District! Explore the resources on this page recognizing the culture, experiences, and contributions of the Jewish American community. 

Programs 

Getting Started with Jewish Genealogy

Get started on your Jewish genealogy! Attend this in-person class to learn how to work with the unique challenges and advantages associated with tracing Jewish ancestry. Complimentary coffee will be provided, and an optional guided tour of the Regional History & Genealogy department resources will follow the class. Register here.

• Penrose Library: Sat., May 11, 2024 from 1 – 3 p.m. 

Resources

• Hoopla
  Explore Jewish stories and experiences in eBooks, music, movies, and more.  
• American Jewish Desk Reference
  Learn more about Jewish heritage with this reference book from the American Jewish Historical Society.  
• Kanopy
  Discover films and documentaries celebrating Jewish Americans on Kanopy. 

Regional History and Genealogy Resources (18+) 

• Archival Collections:
  • Mohl Family Photographs (Digital Photograph Collection)
    Leo and Hertha Mohl were long-time residents of Colorado Springs, small business owners, dairy farmers, and world travelers. They were also some of the first European war refugees to live in Colorado Springs.  
    
    Hertha Mohl was born in Vienna, Austria, and worked as a dressmaker until, after almost getting caught passing out anti-Nazi literature, she smuggled herself into England. While living in London, Hertha served in the British Air Raid Precaution Service. Also born in Vienna, Leo Mohl served as secretary of the trade union movement. Leo was taken to concentration camps in Dachau and Buchenwald for his political activities. In 1939, he was released and immigrated to England, where he met Hertha.
    
    The Mohls immigrated to the United States in 1940, eventually making their way to Colorado Springs. They raised dairy cows on farmland that is now owned by the Air Force Academy, operated a bookstore called The Book Home, and owned a reweaving shop called Master Weavers of America.
     
• Various Photographs (from PPLD’s Digital Photograph Collection) Photographs of the Colorado Springs Jewish Community. 
   
• Books from Regional History and Genealogy (Books from Regional History and Genealogy)
  • Exploring Jewish Colorado by Phil Goodstein
  • A Colorado Jewish family album, 1859-1992 by Rocky Mountain Jewish Historical Society
  • A history of Jewish life in Colorado Springs (DVD – also available for checkout)
  • Getting started in Jewish genealogy by Gary Mokotoff
  • L'chaim: a guide to Jewish genealogical research by Zoe Henry
  • Dr. Charles David Spivak: a Jewish immigrant and the American tuberculosis movement by Jeanne E. Abrams
  • Jewish women pioneering the frontier trail: a history in the American West by Jeanne E. Abrams
  • A guide to the Jewish Rockies, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming by Amy Shapiro

Websites

• Jewish American Heritage Month – Library of Congress
• Jewish American Heritage Month – National Archives
• Jewish American Heritage Month – National Parks Service (National Register of Historic Places)
• Jewish Americans - PBS.  
  Watch clips and outtakes from the 3-part PBS documentary series The Jewish Americans. This collection includes resources for further investigation, lesson plans for high school educators, and opportunities to share your own story. Recommended for high school and older.
• Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History  
  Go on a virtual tour of many of the fascinating exhibits now available online. 

On April 22, 1970, millions of Americans participated in the first Earth Day to increase awareness about environmental issues around the world. That movement has grown into Earth Month throughout all of April to continue spreading awareness locally and internationally. Learn about Earth Month, environmental issues, and ways to make your life more environmentally friendly through upcycling and recycling with the resources on this page.

Resources

• Earth Month Displays at the Library  
  Colorado Springs Utilities is sharing information about wise water usage and conservation with informative displays at several Library locations. You’ll find information about utilities, energy rebates, water-wise planting, water and energy usage tips, and more! Stop by East, Cheyenne, Monument, Old Colorado City, and Penrose as well as Library 21c to learn more.  
• Green Living 
  A curated guide of resources to help you adapt to living a greener lifestyle.
• Learn to Make Reusable Bags at PPLD 
  Struggling with Colorado’s new single-use bag fee? This video has instructions on how to upcycle a t-shirt into a reusable shopping bag. (All ages)
• Create: Bee Gardens
  Learn some techniques to start your very own bee-friendly garden, including planting native wildflowers that attract pollinators, and making a bee bath out of polymer clay. (All ages)
• Create: Visible Mending
  Ripped shirt... throw it away? No way! In this video, you'll learn about visible mending, a technique for fixing up damaged clothes with a little extra flair. (All ages)

Recommended Websites 

• Earth Day – National Archives (all ages)
  A collection of Earth Day resources from the National Archives
• Earth Day - Smithsonian (All ages)
  Learn about Earth Day Founder Gaylord Nelson and explore exhibitions, resources, and Podcasts that highlight Smithsonian efforts to advance sustainability. 

Explore diverse, varied experiences across the autism community with Pikes Peak Library District during Autism Acceptance Month this April. Below, you will find related booklists, resources, and websites.

Booklists

• Scroll to the bottom of the page for the Adult Nonfiction and Adult Fiction booklists
• Childrens booklist

Resources

• Library Sensory Tour videos
  Get a sensory-friendly preview of each of our Library locations, complete with information about sensory accommodations available at each.

Websites

• Autism Acceptance Month (Autism Society)
  Read about Autism Acceptance Month and learn more about the autistic community.
• Autism Society Colorado
  Discover a wide range of resources in Colorado and nationally, and learn about the autistic community.
• Autism Resources (Colorado Department of Education)
  Learn about resources and strategies for adapting and thriving on the autism spectrum.
• World Health Organization
  Find key facts about autism and find news and stories centering around the autistic community. 

Transition can be hard for our military families and their children. Moving multiple times for military service can be challenging for the children of military families, who often face the disruption of starting over at a new school and with new friends multiple times. This April, Pikes Peak Library District honors the Military Children in our community by celebrating their unique experiences.

Resources

• Military & Veterans Resource Guide  
  PPLD provides military, veterans, and their families with access to free resources such as books, audiobooks, eBooks, and online databases, as well as events, workshops, and classes tailored to their unique needs and interests.

Website Links

• Sesame Street For Military Families 
  Sesame Street for Military Families is a free, bilingual (English and Spanish) website where families can find information and multimedia resources on the topics of military deployments, multiple deployments, homecomings, injuries, grief, and self-expression.
• Babies on the Homefront 
  Babies on the Homefront provides military and veteran parents ideas for enhancing everyday moments with their baby or toddler.
• Veteran Training – VA Resources 
  The VA's parenting program provides resources and support for military and veteran parents, including information on child development, parenting skills, and managing the challenges of military life.
• MCEC – Military Child Education Coalition 
  MCEC supports all military-connected children by educating, advocating, and collaborating to resolve education challenges associated with the military lifestyle.
• U.S. Department of Defense
  While military members serve around the world, we often forget the challenges faced by their children. Each year, the Department of Defense (DoD) joins national, state, and local government, schools, military serving organizations, companies, and private citizens in celebrating military children and the sacrifices they make.
• Military OneSource
  The Month of the Military Child recognizes the unique challenges children in military families face —such as long separations and frequent moves — and honors their service to the military community. Use these free resources to support your children, youth, and teens and power up your parenting. 

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