Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) is a nationally recognized system of public libraries serving a population of more than 650,000 across 2,070 square miles in El Paso County, Colorado. Pikes Peak Library District has resources for children, teens, adults, and seniors. Library resources are available in multiple languages, large print, audio, video, and electronic formats.
| Pikes Peak Library District | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Location | El Paso County, Colorado, United States |
| Type | Public Library |
| Established | 1975  |
| Branches | 16 |
| Collection | |
| Size | 1.1 million items |
| Access and use | |
| Circulation | 8.5 million |
| Population served | 669,874 |
| Other information | |
| Employees | 460 |
| Website | ppld |
History
editThe first public library in the area was opened by the Colorado Springs Social Union in downtown Colorado Springs in October 1885.[1] The Colorado Springs Free Reading Room and Public Library began as a subscription library and housed about 8,000 volumes by 1903.[2] In 1903, the Free Public Library of Colorado Springs was established to hold its growing collection.[3] In 1905, the city of Colorado Springs opened a new free public library with the support of $60,000 in Carnegie funds and property donated by the city's founder, General William J. Palmer.[4]
In 1917, a new branch opened in Colorado City. In 1954, the library began providing its bookmobile service. In March 1955, the Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District formed to advocate for the library, operate bookstores in the libraries, and host events.[5] In 1962, a regional library district was approved, prompting the building of additional branch locations throughout the county in subsequent years.
In 1996, the historic 1905 Carnegie library was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Carnegie library received a grant for renovation and preservation purposes in 1997; renovations were completed in 2002. In 2004, District circulations exceeded six million items. In 2006, PPLD started eBranch, enabling patrons to download eBooks and audio materials to their electronic devices. In June 2014, Library 21c opened, "the first of its kind in the country, with makerspaces, a video and recording studio, business and entrepreneurial center, cafe, and performance venue in addition to traditional library materials such as books and movies."[3]
In 2024, PPLD faced significant backlash after the Board of Trustees voted to close the Rockrimmon Library branch. [6]
Annual Programs
edit- Winter Adult Reading Program
- All Pikes Peak Makes
- All Pikes Peak Reads (APPR)
- Mountain of Authors
- Pikes Peak Regional History Symposium
- Pikes Peak Poetry Summit
- Library Lawn Concert Series (at Manitou Springs Library and Palmer Lake Library)
- Teen Art Contest
- Summer Adventure
- Jean Ciavonne Poetry Contest (for 4th and 5th graders)
- Kindergarten Round-Up Resource Fair
- Homeschool Resource Fair
- Homeschool Science Fair
- Homeschool Book Blast
Locations
editThe Pikes Peak Library District provides services at 14 physical locations and through its mobile library.
| Locations | Address |
|---|---|
| Calhan Library | 600 Bank Street, Calhan, CO 80808 |
| Cheyenne Mountain Library | 1785 South 8th Street, Suite 100, Colorado Springs, CO 80905 |
| East Library | 5550 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80918 |
| Fountain Library | 230 South Main St., Fountain, CO 80817 |
| High Prairie Library | 7035 Old Meridian Rd., Peyton, CO 80831 |
| Library 21c | 1175 Chapel Hills Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80920 |
| Manitou Springs Library | 701 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, CO 80829 |
| Monument Library | 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr., Monument, CO 80132 |
| Old Colorado City Library | 2418 West Pikes Peak Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 |
| Palmer Lake Library | 66 Lower Glenway, Palmer Lake, CO 80133 |
| Penrose Library | 20 N. Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 |
| Ruth Holley Library | 685 North Murray Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80915 |
| Sand Creek Library | 1821 South Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80916 |
| Ute Pass Library | 8010 Severy Rd., Cascade, CO 80809 |
References
edit- ^ "About PPLD | PPLD.org". ppld.org. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
- ^ Circular of Information of the Bureau of Education, for ... U.S. Government Printing Office. 1903.
- ^ a b "History of PPLD | PPLD.org". ppld.org. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
- ^ Burek Pierce, Jennifer (April 2002). "Colorado Carnegie library undergoes massive facelift". American Libraries. 33: 76–78.
- ^ "Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District - About Us | PPLD.org". ppld.org. Retrieved 2019-11-20.
- ^ Sammann, Blake (2024-11-21). "Residents rally to save Colorado Springs library on brink of closure". https://www.kktv.com. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
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