May 2024 update:

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

Sand Creek Library 

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

Ruth Holley Library 

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

Start original message (posted February 2024): 

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

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

Here are our new hours at each location: 

Cheyenne Mountain Library

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

Manitou Springs Library

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

Monument Library

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

Old Colorado City Library

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

Ruth Holley Library

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

Ute Pass Library

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

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

Booklists

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

Resources

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

Websites 

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

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

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

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

Western Museum of Mining & Industry

225 North Gate Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80921

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

Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado

2605 Preamble Pt, Colorado Springs, CO 80915

Registration recommended.

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

Ruth Holley Library

685 North Murray Blvd.

Registration recommended.

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

Virtual

Register for the access link

Registration required.

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

On behalf of Pikes Peak Library District, we wish to send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends affected by the tragedy that took place this morning on the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs campus. It was senseless, dreadful, and heartbreaking. As we struggle to comprehend this news and the loss of members of our community, please remember that we stand with you.

Below are resources you can access for more information and support.

Websites

• Colorado Crisis Services hotline: Call (844)493-8255 or text “TALK” to 38255 to speak with a trained counselor or professional. Counselors are also available at walk-in locations or online to chat between 4 p.m. and 12 a.m. Colorado Crisis Services is the statewide behavioral health crisis response system offering residents mental health, substance use or emotional crisis help, information and referrals. Its mission is to strengthen Colorado’s mental health system by providing Coloradans with greater access to crisis services wherever they are at 24/7/365 regardless of ability to pay. They offer walk-in, text, and call-in services for people in crisis.
• Colorado State Government Behavioral Health resources: Mental health resources from the Behavioral Health Administration of Colorado.
• Colorado 211: A confidential and multilingual service connecting people to vital resources across the state. No matter where you live in Colorado, you can find information about resources in your local community.
• Diversus Health: Offers a 24/7 walk-in crisis center for crisis services and counseling for all ages, regardless of ability to pay. You can request an appointment online or visit 115 S. Parkside Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80910.
• Medicaid support services: Medicaid-insured members have access to behavioral health services or other supports, and we want them to get the care they need during this time. Call (719)598-1540 to contact them directly, or refer to care coordination via the online referral form.
• Peak View Behavioral Health Assessment team: Individualized help for mental health treatment and other services. Visit them online or call (719)444-8484.

The numbers are in, and our community made excellent use of the Library in 2023! From eLibrary use and program attendance, to the most checked out book titles of the year, we feel that this data reflects the vibrant communities we serve. We also had 27,489 people sign up for library cards last year.

As one exciting 2023 achievement, we reached 3 million digital checkouts on Libby and OverDrive. In September 2023, we announced on social media that we reached 2 million Libby/OverDrive checkouts about a month earlier than we had reached the same milestone in 2022. We thought this was the height of excitement until we joined 22 other libraries in surpassing 3 million. Our community made this possible by borrowing eMagazines, eBooks, and eAudiobooks through the Libby app and its parent website OverDrive.

People throughout El Paso County visited our libraries more than 1,878,247 times to check out 2,298,021 physical materials (and 3,096,369 digital materials, but you don’t have to visit for that), use computers 219,885 times, ask 96,218 reference questions, and fill meeting rooms 27,623 times. We saw more than 156,790 people attend our 6,533 program offerings, and 3,180 Pikes Peak Culture Pass checkouts allowed people to visit cultural attractions around the Pikes Peak region and Denver. We are excited to see how you use your Library in 2024!

Here are the top checkouts of 2023:

Top 10 Juvenile Checkouts

1. The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor (checked out 915 times)
2. Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling (checked out 801 times)
3. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (checked out 764 times)
4. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling (checked out 735 times)
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling (checked out 715 times)
6. Front Desk by Kelly Yang (checked out 711 times)
7. City Spies by James Ponti (checked out 698 times)
8. Rhinos at Recess by Mary Pope Osborne (checked out 607 times)
9. A Long Walk to Water: A Novel by Linda Sue Park (checked out 584 times)
10. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling (checked out 569 times)

Top 10 Teen Checkouts

1. Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins (checked out 425 times)
2. Scythe by Neal Shusterman (checked out 398)
3. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling (checked out 329 times)
4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling (checked out 275 times)
5. Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan (checked out 199 times)
6. Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman (checked out 189 times)
7. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (checked out 186 times)
8. Eragon by Christopher Paolini (checked out 184 times)
9. The Sun and the Star: A Nico di Angelo Adventure by Rick Riordan (checked out 176 times)
10. Midnight Sun by Stephanie Meyer (checked out 167 times)

Top 10 Adult Checkouts

1. The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line by Mari K. Eder (our 2022 All Pikes Peak Reads title, checked out 1,088 times)
2. Simply Lies by David Baldacci (checked out 954 times)
3. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (checked out 953 times)
4. Storm Watch by C.J. Box (checked out 901 times)
5. Desert Star by Michael Connelly (checked out 829 times)
6. The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham (checked out 821 times)
7. Spare by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (checked out 796 times)
8. Fairy Tale: A Novel by Stephen King (checked out 729 times)
9. Mad Honey: A Novel by Jodi Picoult (checked out 684 times)
10. Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes (checked out 669 times)

Join Pikes Peak Library District in celebrating Black History Month! Black History Month is a time to celebrate the contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout history. This month-long observance is an opportunity to recognize the impact that Black Americans have made on our society. Browse this page to explore Library resources and links to other websites where you can explore this history in-depth. 

Virtual Author Visit

Join us for a Virtual Author Visit with award-winning author Jason Mott about his recent novel Hell of a Book on Tue., Feb. 20, 2024 at 2 p.m. This magnificent work of fiction is deeply honest, at times electrically funny, and is a book that goes to the heart of racism, police violence, and the hidden costs exacted upon Black Americans and America as a whole. Register to get the link.

• Online: Tue., Feb. 20, 2024 at 2 p.m.

Virtual Genealogy Class: Researching African American Ancestors

Researching your African American ancestors can be a challenging, yet rewarding, process. In addition to research strategies, this class will cover how to use both traditional and unique resources to explore your family tree. Register for the access link.

• Online: Tue., Feb. 13, 2024 at 7 - 8:30 p.m.

Resources

• Hoopla Audiobooks
• Hoopla Resources
• 50 Songs to Honor Black History Month - Freegal 

Education Resources

• The Shivers African American Historical Cultural Collection
  • Explore the Shivers African American Historical Cultural Collection to find a wide variety of materials for all ages that celebrate African American culture.
• Biography in Context
• National Archives: African American Heritage
• Reading Rockets: Celebrating and Learning about Black History and Culture
• ProQuest: Black Freedom Struggle in the United States 
   

Regional History & Genealogy Resources

• The Invisible People of the Pikes PeakRegion: an Afro-American Chronical by John Stokes Holley
• Everybody Welcome: a Memoir of Fannie Mae Duncan and the Cotton Club by Fannie Mae Duncan
• Negro Historical Association Newsletters and Yearbooks (available in Special Collections reference stacks)
• African Americans in Colorado Springs in PPLD Digital Collections
• Lew Tilley Photographs in PPLD Digital Collections
• Black History Scrapbooks (Archival collection MSS 0387, available in Special Collections)
• Colorado Springs Branch National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) (Archival collection MSS 0256, available in Special Collections)
• African American Historical and Genealogical Society of Colorado Springs 
   

Websites

• Biography in Context
• National Archives: African American Heritage
• Black History Month
• Black History Month - History Channel
• ProQuest: Black Freedom Struggle in the United States
• Celebrate African American History Month – Library Of Congress
• National Museum of African American History and Culture
• Black History Month – National Parks Service 

What does a region’s history look like through the lens of people who are often left out of a community’s archived history? Come find out with We Have a Story: Homelessness in Colorado Springs. This powerful documentary project showcases in a gallery the unique perspectives of three young adults experiencing homelessness and a caseworker who serves them through photography that captures this complex and diverse community. Join us at East Library for the reception of the gallery on Sat., Jan. 20 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. Light refreshments will be provided.

Over the course of one month in the Summer of 2023, participants took photos from their perspectives. They learned digital photography skills from a professional photographer and came together to critique and evaluate their photographs. They also met with a historian to conduct oral interviews capturing their experiences.

Each participant selected their four best photographs for the gallery, which will be on display at different PPLD locations each month. A written artist story accompanies each photo to delve more deeply into each individual’s perspectives.

The We Have a Story traveling exhibit will continue traveling in 2024, starting at East Library in January, Rockrimmon Library in February, and finishing at the Manitou Arts Center (MAC) in March. 

Kick off your New Year’s resolutions with the Library! Whether you want to save more money, learn a new language, get fit, enjoy more family time, or any other resolution for a new you in 2024, PPLD has you covered. To help you stick to your resolution, download the PPLD habit tracker and year-long calendar. They will help you get started on your new habits and track your progress. Use your library card to access PPLD resources and meet your goals head on!

Save Money

Your library card is your ticket to saving money throughout the year. Here are a few ways you can start saving today! 

• Get your library card for access to no-cost services and resources
• Ditch expensive subscriptions, stream TV shows and movies on Hoopla at no cost
• Skip costly recording studio fees by using PPLD’s studios for video and audio production
• Learn new skills at no cost by taking video courses on LinkedIn Learning

Enjoy More Family Time

Your family deserves to spend quality time together doing things everyone loves. Here are a few ways that the Library can support your bonding time!

• Connect by reading picture books together (or use eBook picture books on Tumblebooks)
• Settle in for family movie nights with movies downloaded from Kanopy
• Spark friendly family competition with board games, lawn games, and video games
• Come to PPLD programs and events for all ages each month

Get Fit

Building new health and fitness habits can be tough at first, but you’re not alone. Here are a few ideas to help you get started on your fitness goals! 

• Get in touch with your body during PPLD’s yoga classes at Library 21C, and online
• Develop healthy eating habits with nutrition books
• Get in shape with dance and fitness videos on Hoopla and Kanopy
• Level up your workout with no-cost music streaming on Freegal

Learn a New Language

¡Hola! Hallo! Bonjour! Learning a new language is a great way to prepare for a trip, connect with friends and family, or keep your mind sharp. Here are a few resources at the Library to support your learning this year!

• Plan or join language meetups in PPLD’s meeting and study rooms
• Complete engaging lessons on the Mango Languages app
• Explore a variety of language learning books
• Learn cultural information through CultureGrams Online (requires a library card that starts with a 4 to access outside of Library locations)

Whatever your New Year’s resolutions involve this year, your Library is here to support your efforts. Learn more about what your library card can do for you! 

Pikes Peak Library District subscribes to a variety of useful databases that serve as valuable resources to our community. We regularly evaluate our subscriptions to ensure that we are good stewards of the funding we put behind each one. After a recent review of databases taking into consideration usage, cost effectiveness, and availability of information through other sources, we decided to discontinue some of our current database subscriptions in 2024. You will still have access to similar information through other databases that we offer.

The following databases will not be renewed upon their 2024 expiration, and we have included suggestions for databases you can use in their place:  

December is packed with festive celebrations, including Hannukah, winter solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and others. It’s a busy time when you may find yourself decorating, planning or prepping meals and treats, making or shopping for gifts, visiting friends and family, and attending community celebrations. Pikes Peak Library District has all the programs, tools, and resources you need to make the best of the holiday season, including cookbooks and classes, DIY gifts, holiday book lists, and more!

Resources

• New recipes from a vast array of new-to-you cookbooks for all occasions 
• Movies, music, books, and even a collection of Hallmark movies on Hoopla
• Audio and video studio equipment for DIY memories 
• CultureGrams to learn about holiday celebrations from around the world (must have a library card that starts with a 4 to access outside the Library) 
• Reviews, shopping guides, and more for your holiday shopping experience with Consumer Reports (must have a library card that starts with a 4 to access outside the Library)
• A wide assortment of holiday films and documentaries on Kanopy
• Christmas music on Freegal

DIY Gifts

• Don’t miss our Makerspace Holiday Open Houses at East Library, Sand Creek Library, and Library 21c this month to learn how you can use makerspace equipment to create DIY gifts and decorations.
• Find craft inspiration or delve into new hobbies with the Hobbies & Crafts Reference Center. (Must have a library card that starts with a 4 to access outside the Library)
• Join us for makerspace classes and use your new knowledge to make custom gifts for your loved ones.
• Discover DIY gift ideas with our array of creative books.

Websites

• December 2024 Holidays
  Explore national, religious, and just for fun holidays that take place in December. 
• National Geographic: Winter Celebrations
  Fill your December with festive fun facts, folklore, and holiday information. 
   

Friends of PPLD Bookstore

Get gifts for your family while supporting your Library! The Friends of PPLD sponsors and supports numerous programs and events to further the enjoyment of reading and love for books by all individuals. They are best known for their volunteerism, their bookstores in each library (you never know what you will find in the ever-changing inventory of previously-read books and magazines) and, of course, the two Big Book Sales each year. 

Stop by the Friends store at the Library and find books, CDs, movies, magazines, and more from $0.25 to $3. Or shop for specialty items online! Purchases made through the Friends of PPLD support library programming and materials. 

Do you love books, reading, and libraries? Have you considered becoming involved in your community? One easy step covers it all! Get involved with the Friends and support your community, one book at a time.