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Actividades de verano para adolescentes

¡Aventúrate este verano con la Biblioteca del Distrito de Pikes Peak! Nuestro programa Aventura de verano 2023 presentado por Children’s Hospital Colorado está aquí para ayudar a los niños y adolescentes a mantenerse comprometidos y activos durante los meses de verano. Sabemos que estás buscando ideas atractivas y estimulantes ¡y estamos aquí para ayudarte!

¡Haz clic aquí o descarga la aplicación para registrarte! 

¡Gana premios a través de la lectura, el movimiento y la imaginación! ¡Participa en uno de nuestros programas o pon en práctica una de nuestras ideas de actividades.

 

Calendario de programas para adolescentes

Aspectos más destacados del programa

LEER

read

IMAGINAR

imagine

  • ¡Dale un vistazo a un juego de mesa al que nunca hayas jugado antes y pruébalo! Busca la lista de juegos de mesa que puedes consultar desde PPLD aquí.
  • ¡Participa en el   Todas las lecturas de Pikes Peak!
  • Crea algo con materiales que hayas encontrado en o alrededor de tu espacio vital. ¿Qué creaste? 
  • ¡Prueba una nueva receta, técnica de horneado o técnica de cocina! Busca el libro de cocina perfecto en nuestra colección.
  • ¡Haz una película! Dale un vistazo a un libro sobre cómo escribir guiones. Luego toma una clase o consulta el equipo en Studio 21c, y edita tu proyecto final en nuestras computadoras.
  • Dedica al menos una hora para hacer algo (esto podría ser cualquier cosa: comida, obras de arte, proyectos de carpintería, un experimento científico, etc.).¡Consulta nuestro canal de Youtube para obtener ideas de proyectos!
  • ¡Crea algo en línea! Utiliza el código de bloques para construir un juego, iniciar un blog sobre algo que te apasione o hacer música.
  • Habla con alguien (en persona o de forma virtual) sobre tu historia de vida. Puedes utilizar la aplicación StoryCorps para obtener ayuda para comenzar o formular tus propias preguntas.
  • Realiza un acto de bondad al azar para otra persona.
  • ¡Disfruta de una actividad de cuidado personal! Consulta los programas virtuales de autocuidado de PPLD.
  • ¡Escribe cartas a miembros de las fuerzas armadas! Consulta operationgratitude.com para obtener más información.
  • Consulta una atracción local con el pase cultural de Pikes Peak o consulta los días de descuento del pase cultural donde puedes usar tu tarjeta de la biblioteca para obtener una entrada con descuento a una atracción diferente cada semana del 14 de junio al 4 de agosto. Consulta todas las organizaciones participantes y elabora un plan visitando https://ppld.org/culturepass.

MOVER 

move

  • Da un paseo por tu vecindario.
  • ¡Baila como si nadie te estuviera viendo! Aprende un baile en línea o simplemente baila en tu casa. Ocho canciones equivalen a alrededor de 30 minutos de ejercicio. ¡Usa Freegal gratis!
  • Sal a correr. Tratar de correr durante 30 minutos, pero caminando tanto como sea necesario. Al final del verano, ¡podrás correr durante 30 minutos sin parar!
  • Practica yoga. ¿Nuevo en yoga? Dale un vistazo a los excelentes cursos: Yoga en Kanopy, que es gratis con tu tarjeta de la biblioteca.
  • Realiza ejercicios deportivos completos: trabaja el regate, el saque, el remate, la espiral o lo que te corresponda.
  • Salta la cuerda.
  • Aros hula hula.
  • Prueba una nueva forma de ejercicio o aprende un deporte que sea nuevo para ti.
  • Monta tu bicicleta.
  • Sal a la calle, camina o visita un parque cercano.

Actividades de verano para niños

¡Aventúrate este verano con la Biblioteca del Distrito de Pikes Peak! Nuestro programa Aventura de verano 2023 presentado por Children’s Hospital Colorado está aquí para ayudar a los niños y adolescentes a mantenerse comprometidos y activos durante los meses de verano. Sabemos que estás buscando ideas atractivas y estimulantes ¡y estamos aquí para ayudarte!

¡Haz clic aquí o descarga la aplicación para registrarte!

¡Gana premios a través de la lectura, el movimiento y la imaginación! ¡Participa en uno de nuestros programas o pon en práctica una de nuestras ideas de actividades.

Calendario de programas para niños

Si tu grupo tiene más de 10 niños, llama a la biblioteca a la que planeas asistir antes de tu visita o participación en el programa.

Calendario de programas para preadolescentes

Si tu grupo tiene más de 10 niños, llama a la biblioteca a la que planeas asistir antes de tu visita o participación en el programa.

Aspectos más destacados del programa

Presentaciones divertidas de verano

Si tu grupo tiene más de 10 niños, llama a la biblioteca a la que planeas asistir antes de tu visita o participación en el programa.

Arte juntos

Programas intergeneracionales

Programas para niños con edades de 0 a 5 años

Aspectos más destacados del programa para preadolescentes

LEER

read

Edades de 0 a 3 años

  • Lea un libro juntos. Siga las líneas mientras su hijo pasa las páginas. Hable sobre lo que ven juntos.
  • Lea un libro juntos en un lugar nuevo, como debajo de una mesa, en un armario, debajo de un fuerte de mantas o en una caja grande. ¿Qué lugar divertido pueden encontrar para leer juntos?
  • Lea un libro con dibujos de personas en él. ¿Qué están haciendo? ¿Cómo se sienten?
  • Lea un libro ilustrado interactivo con su hijo en Tumble Books.
  • Obtenga Storytime @ Home usando uno de los divertidos storytimes creados por el personal de la Biblioteca.
  • Disfrute de los personajes leyendo libros infantiles populares a través de Storyline Online, proporcionado por la Fundación SAG-AFTRA.
  • Comparta algunas rimas y canciones infantiles favoritas o busque nuevas ideas en Story Blocks.

Edades de 4 a 7 años

  • Lee un libro sin palabras, solo imágenes. ¿Qué historia puedes inventar a partir de las imágenes? ¿Puedes compartirlo con alguien?
  • Léele un libro a un animal: a tu mascota, si tienes una, o a tu animal de peluche favorito.
  • Lee un libro en un lugar nuevo, como debajo de una mesa, en un armario, debajo de un fuerte de mantas o en una caja grande. ¿Qué lugar divertido puedes encontrar para leer?
  • Pídele a alguien que lea un libro ilustrado en voz alta mientras realizas un espectáculo de títeres con las palabras. Cambia de lugar y hazlo de nuevo.
  • Busca un nuevo libro para leer o escuchar usando Libby
  • Obtén Storytime @ Home usando uno de los divertidos storytimes creados por el personal de la Biblioteca.
  • Lee un libro ilustrado interactivo en Tumble Books.
  • Disfruta de los personajes leyendo libros infantiles populares a través de Storyline Online, proporcionado por la Fundación SAG-AFTRA.
  • Escucha una historia fuera de este mundo leída desde el espacio exterior en Storytime from Space.
  • ¿Quieres escuchar a los autores leer sus libros para ti? Dale un vistazo a PBS Books Storytime y Harper Kids.
  • Juega un juego de lectura en PBS Kids con tus personajes favoritos de PBS.
  • Disfruta de Dan Gutman leyendo sus libros, se encuentran en My Weird Read-A-Loud.

Edades de 8 a 11 años

  • Léele un libro a otra persona, ya sea mayor o menor que tú.
  • Cuéntale a alguien todo sobre un libro que acabas de terminar de leer. ¿Qué te gustó del libro? ¿Qué no te gustó? Si pudieras cambiar el final, ¿cómo terminaría el libro?
  • Buscar un nuevo libro para leer o escuchar usando Libby.
  • Lee un libro sobre alguien de un país o cultura diferente a la tuya. Comparte algo nuevo que hayas aprendido con un amigo o familiar.
  • Escucha una historia fuera de este mundo leída desde el espacio exterior en Storytime from Space.
  • Prueba con un libro de capítulos sobre Tumble Books.
  • ¿Eres fan de I Survived (Yo sobreviví)? Dale un vistazo a Lauren Tarshis: I Survived para obtener más información sobre sus libros.
  • ¿Quieres escuchar a los autores leer sus libros para ti? Dale un vistazo a PBS Books Storytime
  • Disfruta de Dan Gutman leyendo sus libros, que se encuentran en My Weird Read-A-Loud.

IMAGINAR

imagine

Edades de 0 a 3 años

  • Juega a mímicas de animales. Actúa como un animal y haz los ruidos de ese animal. ¿Pueden otros adivinar quién eres? ¡Continúa hasta que todos estén confundidos!
  • Construye algo tan alto como tú usando bloques, recipientes de pañuelos vacíos o almohadas. Derríbalo y construye de nuevo. ¿Qué tan alto puedes construirlo antes que se caiga? Inténtalo de nuevo con un amigo.
  • Sumerge un trapo en agua y úsalo para crear diseños divertidos en la acera. Hazlo en un día soleado y caluroso para ver qué tan rápido desaparece la imagen del agua. Inténtalo en la sombra. ¿Qué diseños duran más?
  • Busca algunos tesoros en la naturaleza, como hojas, flores o palos, y presiónalos en plastilina. Sácalos y mira las impresiones. ¿Se parecen a los objetos que presionaste en la plastilina?
  • Busca algunas hojas y pinta caras en ellas con pintura de dedos.
  • Haz un fuerte de mantas haciendo creer que es algo más grandioso. ¿Es un castillo? ¿Una casa en el árbol? Acurrúcate adentro con una historia o un refrigerio.
  • Juega al cucú o aplaude y canta una canción o rima favorita.

Edades de 4 a 7 años

  • Imagina que eres un animal y haz que otros adivinen qué animal eres. Solo puedes representar los movimientos, ¡sin sonidos ni palabras! ¿Cuántos animales puedes fingir que otros puedan adivinar?
  • Piensa en algo agradable que hacer o decirle a otra persona. ¿A cuántas personas puedes hacer sonreír hoy?
  • Observa la vida marina en las cámaras Naturescape de Deerfield Beach. ¿Qué ves? ¿Puedes dibujar los animales o inventar una historia sobre ellos?
  • Consulta el sitio web del zoológico de Cheyenne Mountain para ver sus cámaras de jirafas. ¿Qué están haciendo las jirafas hoy? ¿Puedes hacer un dibujo o contar una historia sobre lo que ves? ¿Quieres ver más animales del zoológico? Prueba las cámaras en vivo en el zoológico de San Diego o en el zoológico de Memphis.
  • Haz un autorretrato en el suelo de afuera usando solo elementos que encuentres en la naturaleza. ¿Qué puedes usar para tu cabello? ¿Nariz? ¿Ojos? ¿Boca?
  • Crea un terrario de dinosaurios para tus dinosaurios de juguete favoritos. Usa arena, rocas, plantas, hierba, ¡incluso podrías usar un poco de lodo!
  • Pinta rocas para que parezcan animales. ¿Puedes esconderlos afuera para que otros los encuentren?
  • Crea una casa para tus animales de peluche con los objetos de tu habitación. Busca una caja sin usar para hacer una casa pequeña o realiza una tienda de campaña con una manta. Cuéntale una historia a tu animal de peluche antes de acostarte.
  • Construye un fuerte. Utiliza sillas, mesas, mantas, almohadas, sábanas o cualquier cosa que tengas en la casa para construir tu fuerte. Nombra tu fuerte e invita a alguien adentro a leer contigo.
  • Crea un mapa de tu vecindario usando papel y lápices, marcadores o crayones. Decide dónde esconderías el tesoro y márcalo en tu mapa

Edades de 8 a 11 años

  • Observa la vida marina en las cámaras Naturescape de Deerfield Beach. ¿Qué ves? ¿Puedes dibujar los animales o inventar una historia sobre ellos? ¿Cómo interactúan los animales?
  • Consulta el sitio web del zoológico de Cheyenne Mountain para ver sus cámaras de jirafas. ¿Qué están haciendo las jirafas hoy? ¿Puedes hacer un dibujo o contar una historia sobre lo que ves? ¿Quieres ver más animales del zoológico? Prueba las cámaras en vivo como el zoológico de San Diego o en el zoológico de Memphis.
  • Descubre más sobre tu familia. Llama o escríbele una carta a un ser querido. ¿Qué historias sobre sus vidas pueden contarte? ¿Cómo era la vida para ellos a tu edad?
  • Imagina una bestia o criatura mítica y elabórala usando cualquier material de arte, adorno o material natural que puedas encontrar.
  • Cocina la cena para la familia. ¡Busca una receta, prepara los ingredientes y descubre al chef que llevas dentro! Busca a un adulto para que te ayude o pídele que te muestre cómo hacer el plato favorito de la familia.
  • Piensa en algo agradable que hacer o decirle a otra persona. ¿A cuántas personas puedes hacer sonreír hoy?
  • Construye un jardín de rocas o de hadas utilizando elementos que se encuentran en la naturaleza.
  • Escribe una historia corta sobre un animal con una habilidad increíble. Estas son algunas ideas para comenzar: la medusa inmortal; una cabra montés que puede escalar paredes; un pulpo que combina con los colores de un tablero de ajedrez.
  • Intenta llevar un diario en el futuro. ¿Cómo será tu vida dentro de 10... 20... 50 años? ¿Tu perro podrá hablar contigo? ¿Los vehículos volarán? ¿Qué estarás haciendo? Cuida este diario y míralo cuando cumplas esos años.
  • Escribe o haz un dibujo sobre un recuerdo familiar especial y compártelo con tu familia.
  • Crea una película cuadro por cuadro o stop-motion usando tus figuras de acción, juguetes o animales de peluche. ¿Qué payasadas te imaginas que hacen mientras no estás cerca?
  • Elabora letras para colgar en la pared con ramitas e hilo o cordel.

MOVER

move

Edades de 0 a 3 años

  • Realiza un paseo sensorial en el interior. ¿Puedes encontrar algo que sea suave? ¿Duro? ¿Abultado? ¿Suave? ¿Brillante? ¿Frío? Identificar la textura de un artículo aumenta el vocabulario de una manera divertida.
  • Elabora dos dados grandes con cajas. En uno, escribe palabras de acción como "saltar, escalar, patear". En el otro, escribe palabras direccionales como “en círculo, como un mono, adelante”. Tira los dados y haz lo que te indiquen. Por ejemplo, “saltar como un mono”.
  • Toca tu música favorita y baila con bufandas, cintas o serpentinas de papel. O bien organiza una fiesta de baile para mostrar tus mejores movimientos. Dale un vistazo a nuestra lista de reproducción Freegal solo para niños, donde encontrarás mucha música divertida para bailar.
  • Salpica en los charcos después de la lluvia o en la bañera de tu casa. Deja caer juguetes para bañarte o nadar desde diferentes alturas para ver cómo salpican.
  • Busca un lugar para observar la vida silvestre. ¿Puedes buscar ardillas, patos, venados o pájaros cantores? Mientras señalas diferentes animales, trata de hacer el sonido del animal.
  • Da un paseo por tu vecindario o toma un sendero en el área. Señala cualquier animal que se cruce en el camino.

Edades de 4 a 7 años

  • Prueba tu habilidad para saltar la cuerda. ¿Qué rimas puedes repetir mientras saltas?
  • Túrnense para esconderse y buscar un juguete especial. ¿Tienes problemas? Proporciona pistas o grita "¡Caliente! ¡Caliente!" a medida que se acercan.
  • Camina con tu familia o tu perro por el vecindario. ¿Cuántos animales viste? ¿Puedes hacer un dibujo de los animales que viste?
  • Da un paseo al aire libre. Recoge todo lo que quieras en el suelo que provenga de una planta. Cuando llegues a casa, haz un colaje con tu colección.
  • ¡Juega al tenis con globos! Elabora tu propia raqueta pegando reglas a platos de papel. ¿Cuánto tiempo puedes mantener tu globo en el aire?
  • Crea una pista de carreras con secciones para saltar, saltar en un pie, galopar y caminar de lado. ¿Cuántas vueltas seguidas puedes dar? Practicar pasos como este ayuda a desarrollar la coordinación y la resistencia.

Edades de 8 a 11 años

  • Organiza una noche de niños contra adultos con tu familia inmediata. Elije una actividad competitiva: puede ser un juego de mesa, una carrera de obstáculos (¡haz uno con cajas!), o una carrera simple. Divídanse en equipos: adultos contra niños. ¡Que empiecen los juegos!
  • Sorprende a los adultos con una habitación limpia, ¡cualquier habitación! Si eliges tu dormitorio, límpialo primero y reorganiza los muebles de una manera fresca y novedosa. ¡Podría inspirar un nuevo pensamiento creativo!
  • Crea tu propio baile característico con una canción favorita. Puedes guardarlo para ti o enseñar a tus amigos. ¿Buscas algo de música? Dale un vistazo a nuestra lista de reproducción Freegal solo para niños.
  • Da un paseo por tu vecindario o toma un nuevo sendero. ¿Cuáles son algunas de las cosas nuevas que ves a tu alrededor mientras caminas? ¿Puedes invitar a algunos amigos o miembros de tu familia extendida a que te acompañen?
  • ¡Toma algunas barras luminosas, toca tus canciones favoritas y organiza una fiesta de baile en la oscuridad!
  • Organizar el espectáculo más increíble del verano, ¡todo se vale! Crea una obra de teatro, organiza un espectáculo de animales de peluche, baila con música, lo que quieras. ¡Muéstrale a tu familia lo que puedes hacer!

Aventura de verano 2023 presentada por Children's Hospital Colorado

See english version 
Tarjeta de Juego 

¡Aventúrate este verano con la Biblioteca del Distrito de Pikes Peak! La Aventura de verano 2023 presentada por Children's Hospital Colorado ayuda a los niños y adolescentes a mantenerse comprometidos y activos durante los meses de verano. Sabemos que estás buscando ideas atractivas para actividades ¡y estamos aquí para ayudarte!
Cualquier persona de 0 a 18 años puede participar y ganar premios a través de la lectura, el movimiento y la imaginación. ¡Participa en uno de nuestros programas o pon en práctica una de nuestras ideas de actividades!
 


1.º de junio al 31 de julio de 2023
 ¡Haz clic aquí o descarga la aplicación para registrarte!



¡Actividades y programas para NIÑOS y PREADOLESCENTES! 
(Edades de 0 a 12 años)
¡Actividades y programas para ADOLESCENTES!
(Edades de 12 a 18 años) 

The adventure runs from June 1 - July 31. You can sign up for and start the program on  
June 1 on the Beanstack app or at ppld.beanstack.org. 

La aventura se extiende desde el 1.º de junio al 31 de julio. Puedes registrarte y comenzar el programa el 1.º de junio en la aplicación Beanstack o en ppld.beanstack.org.

Consulta nuestras preguntas frecuentes.

Click here for group registration information. Group registration is NOT recommended for families. A group must be five or more participants. Have more questions about Beanstack? Email beanstackhelp@ppld.org. 

Haz clic aquí para obtener información sobre el registro de grupos. NO se recomienda el registro grupal para familias. Un grupo debe tener cinco o más participantes. ¿Tienes más preguntas sobre Beanstack? Envía un correo electrónico a beanstackhelp@ppld.org.
 



Entérate: ¡regístrate!

Recibe un correo electrónico de recordatorio al comienzo de la Aventura de verano y durante junio y julio para programas de verano, actividades, y más, para niños de 0 a 18 años. Puedes cancelar la suscripción en cualquier momento. 

Calendarios de eventos

Calendario de programas para niños 
Calendario de programas para preadolescentes
Calendario de programas para adolescentes     

Tarjetas de juego

Puedes realizar un seguimiento de tu progreso en la aplicación Beanstack, recoger una tarjeta de juego en cualquier ubicación de la Biblioteca o hacer clic aquí para ¡descargar e imprimir una tarjeta de juego física desde tu casa!

Cómo jugar

  1. Regístrate en Beanstack en ppld.beanstack.org, en la aplicación, o en persona en una biblioteca ¡y recibe un premio!
  2. Culmina los 30 días de actividades (ya sea leer, mover o imaginar) a partir del 1.º de junio hasta el 31 de julio.
  3. Realiza un seguimiento de tu progreso completando un espacio en la tarjeta del juego o registra un día en Beanstack por cada día de actividad. 
  4. Recibe un segundo premio cuando hayas culminado los 30 días de actividades.

Si necesitas ayuda, llama al (719) 531-6333 o visita ppld.org/ask 

Anima tu Zoom u otras conversaciones virtuales con fondos digitales de Aventura de verano: ¡Descárgalos a continuación!

Premios

En el momento de la inscripción, los niños de 0 a 11 años pueden elegir un libro y los de 12 a 18 años pueden seleccionar un libro o una revista como premio de inscripción. Después de registrar 30 días de lectura o actividades, los niños de 0 a 3 años reciben un juguete para el baño, los de 4 a 11 años reciben una medalla de lectura y los de 12 a 18 años reciben un segundo libro o revista.

Encuesta

¿Terminaste con el programa? ¡Toma nuestra encuesta y responde algunas preguntas para mejorar aún más el programa del próximo año!

Encuesta de niños/adolescentes
Encuesta de cuidadores
 

water balloon parachute

STEM Favorite: Water Balloon Parachute

Can your water balloons survive a big drop? Find out with this experiment.

Supplies and Directions:

  • One balloon
  • Water
  • One plastic shopping bag
  • One rubber band

Directions:

  1. Add water to your balloon, don't fill the balloon, leave lots of room to tie the balloon closed.
  2. Cut the ends of the handles of the bags. Tie or rubber band them to the knotted end of a water balloon
  3. Go outside and drop it from a high place to see if it breaks when it lands.
  4. Test and retest until your balloon breaks.
  5. Try it again with another balloon.
  6. See what else you can attach to your parachute and let drop.

Friends of the Library Announce Literary Awards Recipients

International best-selling author Jim Fergus has been named the 2022 recipient of the Frank Waters Award by the Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District. Fergus, a Colorado College graduate, received the award and was the keynote speaker at the annual Literary Awards Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 18 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 1775 East Cheyenne Mountain Blvd.

Fergus’s first novel, “One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd,” was published in 1998. The novel won the 1999 Fiction of the Year Award from the Mountains & Plains Booksellers Association. It has since sold over 700,000 copies in the United States.

Fergus has also published a collection of outdoor articles and essays, titled “The Sporting Road.” In 2005, his second novel, “The Wild Girl: The Notebooks of Ned Giles” set in the 1930’s in Chicago, Arizona, and the Sierra Madres of Mexico, was published. In 2018, he published “The Vengeance of Mothers,” a sequel to his first novel. followed by “Strongheart” in 2021. Fergus divides his time between southern Arizona and France, where he also is a best-selling author.

The 2022 Golden Quill award was also presented at the luncheon. The annual prize, given to a local author or publication, went to John Anderson, former El Paso County sheriff, historian and writer. His works include: “Sherlock Holmes in Little London: 1896 The Missing Year”; “Rankin Scott Kelly: First Sheriff of El Paso County Colorado Territory 1861-1867”; and “Ute Prayer Tees of the Pikes Peak Region.”

Proceeds from the event benefitted Friends, who support library district programs and needs.

PPLD Library Card

Library District announces new vision, mission, and core values

From a small reading room established 136 years ago, Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) has evolved to meet the ever-changing needs of our sprawling community. Our service area covers 2,070 square miles of El Paso County with population of about 700,000 – people of all ages and backgrounds with varying views and interests. Thanks to taxpayer funding, we provide residents with access to 16 facilities, three mobile library services, and a large online hub of resources and services that are inclusive and welcoming to all. We strive to make our physical and digital spaces safe and respectful for diverse voices, perspectives, and pursuit; to foster community dialogue and connections; and to help people achieve their goals and dreams in life.

Beginning in January 2022, we initiated a process to revisit PPLD’s mission statement and develop a vision statement and organizational values that reflect our public library system and growing community. Having such clearly defined statements and values also will allow us to prepare for the next stage – working on a new strategic plan that we hope to release later this fall.

In partnership with a local third-party vendor, Library leadership engaged all staff in a design thinking process to gather individual input and collectively see which themes emerged – and it resulted in much alignment from frontline staff to management. With such rich qualitative data, PPLD’s Board of Trustees and leadership team were able to craft new statements and values that capture our core purpose and aspirations for a public institution that’s here for everyone.

We are excited to share them with you, our Library cardholders and patrons.

VISION

Access to resources and opportunities leads to thriving people and connected communities.

MISSION

Cultivate spaces for belonging, personal growth, and strong communities.

VALUES

  • Access: We ensure all people feel safe to connect with services, resources, and experiences.
  • Service: We remove barriers to provide access for all to pursue their interests, needs, and goals.
  • Freedom: We ensure the right of community members to interact with and experience library services as they choose.
  • Accountability: We responsibly steward resources with integrity and transparent practices.
  • Creativity: We foster imagination and resolve problems in new ways.
  • Community: We bring people together.

You will see these new statements in many places going forward, and they are already featured on our About Us page. We look forward to fulfilling our new mission, upholding our new values, and aiming to achieve our vision for this great community.

D49 students can now enjoy PowerPass!

The new partnership between Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) and the fastest growing school district in El Paso County, District 49 now places the Library’s numerous digital resources at the fingertips of more than 77,300 El Paso County students.

As of Mon., April 25, each of the 12,899 students in D49 will have a PowerPass, a digital PPLD library card just for students. D49 is the fifth school district in El Paso County to provide this access to its students, joining Colorado Springs School District 11, Harrison School District 2, Academy School District 20, and Calhan School District.

PowerPass grants access to PPLD’s digital resources, like databases, eBooks, and song and movie downloads, all available at ppld.org. Each PowerPass holder can also check out five physical items at a time from any of the 16 PPLD locations or mobile library services.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with PPLD to provide access to Library resources with PowerPass for all D49 students. As a district, we are committed to engaging with parents and the community in literacy improvement efforts. This access will broaden opportunities and eliminate barriers for student learning,” said Stacey Franklin, Coordinator of Literacy Performance for District 49.

Students can also use PowerPass for online access to live tutors and foreign language courses, get help with homework and projects, and to access audiobooks and digital education resources. High school and middle school students can also prepare for their future with practice driving and SAT tests.

“With the addition of D49 to PowerPass, PPLD is now serving more than 10 percent of El Paso County’s population with PowerPass,” said Joanna Nelson Rendon, PPLD’s Director of Young Adult Services. “Our goal is to serve as many students as we can with this program. We look forward to partnering with more public, charter, and private schools over the next few years as PowerPass is an effective way to lay the foundation for a lifelong relationship with the people in our communities.”

Learn more at ppld.org/PowerPass.

Show Your Library Love

Show Your Library Love

PPLD's “Show Your Library Love” bumper sticker campaign and contest welcomes all library lovers to participate. Just stop by one of the 17 PPLD locations (including Mobile Library Services), and ask for your favorite of the three stickers at the Service desk. (Only one sticker per person while supplies last.)

We hope to see stickers throughout El Paso County and to encourage others to seek out PPLD and discover the “Library Love” for themselves!

We’d love for you to post it where everyone can see it: your car, your window, your water bottle, wherever! Take a photo of where you put it, then either share that photo on social media with the hashtag #ILOVEPPLD or email it to Communications@ppld.org to win one of 10 engraved water bottles. One winner will be selected each week.

People Using Library Resources

Standing firm with the Library and First Amendment rights

Several current and former Trustees respond to recent criticism by editorial board

You may have seen the The Gazette editorial board’s recent criticism of our Library District on Wed., March 30. Several current and former members on our Board of Trustees decided to come together and submit a collective response on Mon., April 4. The daily newspaper published an abridged version of the letter, but these Trustees wanted to share their full response with you, our Library cardholders and patrons.

As current and former Trustees for Pikes Peak Library District, we felt compelled to respond to The Gazette editorial board’s recent criticism of the library system that was peppered with inaccuracies (March 30). PPLD is a public institution that’s here for everyone, valuing intellectual freedom and unrestricted access to all points of views. That’s what enticed many of us to volunteer and serve on their Board. While each of us has varying political and religious affiliations, we collectively stand firm that PPLD should be a bastion for democracy that protects First Amendment rights for all.

From a small reading room established 136 years ago, PPLD has evolved to meet the ever-changing needs of our sprawling community. Their service area covers 2,070 square miles of El Paso County and a population of about 700,000, including the top 10 best-performing city of Colorado Springs. It’s essential for PPLD to provide a wide array of resources and services that reflect our region’s continuous growth and changes. Everyone – regardless of origin, age, background, or views – should have the ability to access the information they seek, even if others do not agree with the subject matter.

PPLD’s 16 facilities and three mobile library services provide safe, respectful spaces for diverse voices and perspectives, fostering community dialogue and connections. Though described as canceled, Monument Library still hosts Socrates Café that welcomes freedom of thought and expression. It also means that PPLD makes meeting rooms available to all individuals and groups at no cost; they can be used for any purpose so long as it doesn’t violate the Board-approved Meeting Room Policy. Denying this service to the community group who hosted Drag Queen Story Hour in 2018 would have been a violation of the First Amendment.

Library staff continuously evaluate what’s offered to ensure they’re serving people of all ages, interests, and zip codes. As part of this, a team of trained professionals develop and maintain physical and digital collections that are as diverse as our county’s population. There are nearly 245,000 children’s options available, covering countless genres, topics, and parenting styles like children’s Bibles, science books, and homeschooling materials to name a few. It’s also worth noting that some of the mentioned books in the editorial are not even included in PPLD’s collection, and none are actively promoted. We welcome everyone to visit their local library to browse the collection, where parents and caregivers can make selections without inhibiting another parent’s right to choose what’s best for their own family’s circumstances, views, and educational goals.

PPLD did hire a third-party vendor to conduct an audit in 2020 that examined its staffing, resources, and services through the lens of equity, diversity, and inclusion to better serve and reflect our changing community. While the editorial only focused on race, this assessment and following efforts extended well beyond that – encompassing a broader view and focus on EDI that only expends about 0.5 percent of the Library’s annual operating budget.

With a new EDI public service and dedicated staff, PPLD can ensure their spaces and programs are welcoming and accessible for every resident. This includes those with disabilities, members of the military and their families, older adults, those of different faiths, people of color, immigrants, LBGTQIA+ individuals, those who live in more rural parts, and many other identities within our county. Some of the Library’s recent work includes improving accessibility and making accommodations for those with disabilities, expanding services for veterans, working with Focus on the Family to develop book lists for teens and children of the Christian faith, and collaborating with other entities to ensure anyone seeking support can access what they need.

As a public institution that’s funded by taxpayers, PPLD makes decisions in the best interests of all residents and directly reinvests back into our region by creating physical and digital spaces for belonging, personal growth, and stronger communities. That’s why we all stand with PPLD and the values of public libraries to uphold intellectual freedom. No one can thrive if the Library is exclusive and impeding people’s rights instead of being inclusive and welcoming to all.

Dr. Ned Stoll (PPLD Board president), Scott Taylor (vice president), Dora Gonzales (secretary & treasurer), and Debbie English (past president), along with former Trustees, Judith Casey, Cathy Grossman, Tom Herd, JoAnn Orsborn, and Kathleen Owings

trashart

April is Earth Month: Recycle Art

Happy Earth Month!
Does your family recycle? There are tons of companies in town that recycle. Maybe you could encourage your family to join in this simple process but yes, it's does cost something. Try cleaning and saving some plastics with caps and cardboard and other stuff. Make a Trash Art creation!

Did you know you can't just recycle anything? According to one recycle business in town, here's what you can/cannot recycle:

Do Recycle:
CLEAN glass jars and metal lids (but not all companies accept glass)
CLEAN plastic bottles and containers. Look for the recycle symbol with a #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7.
Flattened cardboard cereal and other dry food boxes, shoe boxes, tissue boxes, moving boxes, soda cartons, TP/paper rolls
CLEAN aluminum, steel, or tin cans and lids
Newspaper, scrap paper, paper bags, index cards, envelopes

Do NOT recycle:
Styrofoam
dirty cardboard like pizza boxes
electronic devices and monitors
yard waste
shredded paper
plastic bags
plastic caps unless there is a recycle symbol on it
food
dishes
paint cans
motor oil containers

dog toy

Tween Make: No Sew Dog Toy

Supplies and Directions:

Supplies:

All you need is three long strips of fleece and scissors.

Directions:

  1. Trim your pieces of fleece so you have three pieces that are each 2 in. wide by 2 ft. long.
  2. Take your three pieces of fleece and tie them together at one end.
  3. Braid the three pieces together.
  4. Tie them together in a knot at the other end.
leftover art sculpture

Make Art: Leftover Art Sculpture

Do you have some leftover art pieces sitting around? Make new art by cutting past art into pieces and creating new art.

Supplies and Directions:

  • Past art that can be cut into pieces (get permission first)
  • Cereal box cut into pieces or index cards
  • Glue
  1. Cut art and glue onto index card or piece of cereal box cardboard. (Watercolor paper is strong enough to stand on its own). Let glued pieces dry.
  2. Using one art piece as the base of your sculpture, plan how you'd like to arrange the other pieces sitting on top of the base art piece.
  3. With an adult's help, if needed, cut slits into the art pieces and arrange into a sculpture. You may have to glue some corners and sides for strength, it's up to you.
  4. Get creative and show off your new leftover art sculpture!
wind sock

STEM Take and Make: Wind Sock

Take and Makes for this project will be available at area PPLD libraries, beginning Friday, March 11, 2022.

Materials and Directions

Materials we provide:

  • Colored Paper
  • Stickers
  • Ribbon or yarn

Materials you provide:

  • Tape or stapler
  • Crayons or markers

Directions:

  1. Color one side of your paper if desired. Apply stickers to the same side.
  2. Roll the paper into a tube with your decorations facing the outside.
  3. Use tape or a stapler to fasten the short edges of your tube together.
  4. One end of the tube has multiple holes punched in it. Tie ribbons or yarn through each of the holes.
  5. The other end of the tube has just 2 holes. Tie one ribbon through those holes to allow it to hang.

Women's History Month Books for Kids: Inspiring Girls

PPLD celebrates Women's History Month with a booklist that aims to inspire girls in 2022!

Studio Makerspace Open House blog

Makerspace Open Houses

Drop by the makerspaces to create some fun seasonal crafts and explore what the spaces have to offer! Experiment with cardmaking, laser projects, painting, and more. Give what you make as a gift or keep it for yourself. All ages welcome and all materials provided.

No open houses are scheduled currently, but we often hold them in the Spring, Fall, and during the holiday season. Check back here or on our events calendar for updates.

Pikes Peak Children’s Museum and Denver Museum of Nature & Science join PPLD Culture Pass

In PPLD’s efforts to continually provide resources and opportunities that impact individual lives, we’re excited to announce two new additions to the Pikes Peak Culture Pass. The Pikes Peak Culture Pass is a museum pass program that lets patrons explore attractions at no cost by making an electronic reservation similar to checking out an eBook or other digital resource.

Pikes Peak Children’s Museum is a community-built, hands-on educational destination that engages ALL children and their grown-ups by sparking creativity and a passion for life-long learning through purposeful play. Patrons can explore exhibits like outer space, simple machines, and farm to fork. Pass allows for admission for one adult and one child, additional children under 2 years old are free.

Denver Museum of Nature & Science encourages exploration of world-class wildlife displays that take you to Earth’s wildest places, huge dinosaurs that transport you back in time, interactive space exhibits that make your mind wonder, and personalized health science fun that puts your body to the test. Pass allows for admission for up to 7 guests and additional children under 3 years old.

These organizations join existing Culture Pass partners: Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Glen Eyrie, The Money Museum, ProRodeo Hall of Fame, Rock Ledge Ranch Historical Site, Space Foundation Discovery Center, and the Western Museum of Mining and Industry.

Food Industry Training 2022 Cover

Food Industry Training

Start a new career path today!

Pikes Peak Library District is offering Food Industry Training, a five-week training program that gives you the entry-level skills you need to find or advance in employment as a qualified prep cook or line cook. The program will help you learn basic culinary fundamentals, practice professionalism, explore career opportunities in the culinary industry, and earn your ServSafe Food Handler certification. Gain vital skills to help revitalize the Colorado Springs hospitality workforce and join an industry with unlimited possibilities! Starting pay rates in the Colorado Springs area range from $15 - 17 per hour depending on the position.

No previous experience is required and there is no cost to participate. Participants must intend to pursue a career in the culinary industry. Food Industry Training will be offered multiple times each year. Check back for future dates or contact us to be notified of future dates.

Class Dates: 

Mon., Mar. 25 through Fri., April 26, 2024

Click here to submit your application

  • Time: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Location: Library 21c
  • Address: 1175 Chapel Hills, Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80920
  • Applications will open later this year. Please check back for more details
  • Applicants must complete a phone interview and in-person interview in order to be eligible for acceptance into the program.
  • If you are officially accepted into this training program, orientation information will be sent to you.

Students must be:

  • Able to attend the scheduled program
  • Eligible to work in the U.S.
  • Pursuing a career in the culinary industry
  • 18 or older

What you’ll learn:

  • Recipe reading and conversion
  • Proper food handling
  • Product identification
  • Basic stocks, sauces and mother sauces
  • Proper Cooking Methods, from different products to different techniques
  • Appropriate temperatures as related to the industry
  • Professional appearance
  • Resume building
  • Team building
 

More About the Food Industry:

Wondering if this class is right for you? Learn more about the careers this training will prepare you for:

Any questions, please contact the Adult Education Department at (719) 531-6333, x7225 or bkegley@ppld.org.

Junior Ranger Pack

Junior Ranger Packs

The Junior Ranger Nature pack provides self-guided activities to encourages children and their families to get out, explore, observe, describe, and engage the senses any time during the year. Designed for ages 7-13, and align with Colorado Academic Standards for Science and Social Science. Provided and in partnership with the City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Parks, Trails & Open Spaces.

Click here for more information about the Junior Ranger Nature packs.

 

Bring your completed Junior Ranger Book to a swearing-in ceremony to take your Junior Ranger pledge and receive your Park Expert sticker/Junior Ranger badge! The ceremony will be followed by a Ranger-Guided hike.

2022 Schedule

  • July 2: Red Rocks Canyon Open Space (picnic area) - 3550 W. High St.

  • Aug. 6: Stratton Open Space (Ridgeway parking Lot) - 1602 Ridgeway Ave.

  • Sept. 3: Bluestem Prairie Open Space (picnic area) - 6254 Goldfield Dr.

  • Nov. 5: Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center - 1805 N. 30th St.

2023 Schedule

  • Mar. 4: Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center - 1805 N. 30th St.

  • June 3: Ute Valley Open Space - Ute Valley Trail (HP lot)

  • Jul. 1: Red Rocks Canyon Open Space (picnic area) - 3550 W. High St.

  • Aug. 5: Stratton Open Space (Ridgeway parking Lot) - 1602 Ridgeway Ave.

  • Sept. 2: Bluestem Prairie Open Space (picnic area) - 6254 Goldfield Dr.

rain

STEM: Rain Inside a Jar

Try this easy experiment with the help of an adult.

Supplies and Directions:

Supplies:

  • Bowl
  • Large glass jar
  • Plate
  • 12 ice cubes
  • Water
  • Microwave

Directions:

  1. Fill the bowl with water and heat it up in the microwave for about 3 minutes. It doesn’t have to boil. CAREFUL – the bowl will be hot.
  2. Pour the water into the large glass jar and cover it with a dinner plate.
  3. Let the plate-covered jar sit about a minute, then put 12 ice cubes onto the plate.
  4. Watch what happens. It will rain inside the jar!
John Spears headshot February 2022

Chief librarian departing Pikes Peak Library District

Pikes Peak Library District’s Chief Librarian and CEO John Spears announced his upcoming departure for a new opportunity after more than six years of service to El Paso County residents. He will become head of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library with 36 locations in western New York, beginning in mid-April.

Spears has directed Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) – a library system of 16 locations, three mobile library services and a large online hub of resources, all provided through more than 400 staff and 550 volunteers – since 2016. During his tenure, PPLD eliminated overdue fines for most Library materials, opened Calhan Library to expand access in rural parts of the service area, established a co-location partnership between Manitou Springs Library and the Manitou Art Center, and revived Knights of Columbus Hall as a community space in downtown Colorado Springs.

In addition to those notable successes for El Paso County, the Library District also launched a new food industry training program and student-access partnerships with local school districts. Two new public services were introduced to better serve the community as well. The Library added a social worker on staff to help patrons navigate community resources during difficult times, as well as a new service that broadly focuses on equity, diversity and inclusion to ensure all feel welcome using the Library, including those with disabilities, older adults, people of color and different faiths, and military service members, families, and veterans.

“It’s been a great honor to lead PPLD and its dedicated staff through times of uncertainty, change, growth and opportunity,” said Spears. “With those serving on the Board of Trustees and PPLD’s leadership team, I’m confident there will be a smooth transition and staff will continue to connect people with what they need to improve their lives and the Pikes Peak region.”

Spears also led PPLD through the on-going pandemic, with District-wide efforts ranging from a full closure to reopening all services inside Library facilities, along with launching virtual programs and curbside services. His numerous accomplishments supported PPLD in receiving the prestigious four-star rating from the Library Journal for several years, in addition to being awarded “District of the Year” by the Special District Association of Colorado in 2019.

“The Board of Trustees is beyond grateful to John for his leadership, commitment and achievements during his tenure with our Library District,” shared Dr. Ned Stoll, president of PPLD’s Board of Trustees. “John has positioned us for continued success in the future, where all residents of El Paso County can access information, resources, services and opportunities. We wish him all the best in his new state, city and role.”

Spears’ last day will be Fri., April 1. PPLD’s Board of Trustees will appoint Teona Shainidze-Krebs as interim Chief Librarian & CEO. She currently serves as the Library’s Chief Public Services Officer & Deputy Chief Librarian.

KidsMake Favorite: Truffula Tree Pencil

Watch this project from a year ago at https://youtu.be/nNIaTK7sFgA?list=PLMEg2Dd0dSFctLfDQxsL5SmuE8zkwQFmu

Supplies and Directions:

Supplies:

  • A bendy pencil or a straight one will do
  • Feathers
  • A Mad Lib (there is a Mad Lib example seen on the video link above, or make up your own)
  • Glue (preferably a liquid glue like Elmer's)
  • Pencil sharpener

Directions:

  1. Glue your feathers to the erasure side of the pencil.
  2. Add a little pressure to the feathers around the pencil. This will help keep them in place.
  3. Wait for the glue to dry
  4. Use your Truffula Tree pencil to create a silly story using the Mad Lib! Try not to read the story until you've filled out all the blank spaces. You might need help from a grownup with this.

Maker in Residence: Native American Beading with Ela Diel

Native American Beading culture crosses many tribes and has significant meaning in who we are in our tribes as well as what we believe in within ourselves. Join Ela Diel, a Cherokee native, as she shares with you pieces of her culture. Help keep some native traditions alive through beading art.

Community Project

Drop in for open hours helping Maker in Residence Ela Diel create a community-based project in Native American Beadwork!

Ela will guide you on how to contribute beads to a community canvas that will be displayed in the Library in the future.

Artist Biography

Hello! I'm Ela. I'm Tsalagi (Cherokee) native. My Tsalagi name is Unega-Waya, which means Happy Wolf. This is my heritage: My grandmother grew up in Appalachia in what is modernly known as North Carolina. My grandmother moved away from the tribe to marry my grandfather, an Irish-American to live in New York where they had four sons. She passed away when I was only two, however my father passed on our culture and traditions, and I have since reconnected with the tribe. I love art and beading is a great way to express art and keep my family's culture alive. I am autistic, so if I don't look you in the eye or stutter a little please forgive me. Outside of that, let's have some fun, bead and celebrate the Tsalagi culture together! A'ho!

straw propeller

Take and Make: Straw Propeller

Take and Makes for this project, for ages 5-12, will be available beginning Friday, Feb. 11, 2022. Learn about air pressure with this simple experiment! You can also find more step-by-step pictures in the pdf link provided below.

Supplies and Directions:

Materials we provide:

  • 2 large straws
  • 1 skinny straw

Materials you provide:

  • Scissors
  • Tape

Directions:

  1. Use the scissors to cut 2 diamond shaped holes in your skinny straw. Do this by folding the straw in 2 separate places and cutting a triangle. The holes should be in a line on the straw.
  2. Tape one end of the skinny straw closed so that no air will escape when you blow into it.
  3. Bend one of the large straws in half and cut a diagonal hole on each side of the straw.
  4. Squeeze this straw flat and tape the ends closed. The hole should line up with your work surface. If you hold your straw up to look through the holes, the taped ends should be up and down.
  5. Cut notches in the ends of the large straw. The cut should be at the top of one end and at the bottom of the other.
  6. Slide your skinny straw through the holes in the large straw. You might want to place a piece of tape to keep the straw in place over a hole in the skinny straw while still allowing it to rotate freely.
  7. Repeat the process with the other large straw.
  8. Blow into the open end of the skinny straw and watch things twirl. If your straws don’t twirl freely, you might need to adjust the size of the holes.

STEM Favorite: Egg Carton Catapult

Supplies:

  • Half a cardboard egg carton
  • Scrap pieces of newspaper or other paper
  • Tape: masking tape, or painter's tape, or scotch tape
  • 7 rubber bands
  • Plastic spoon
  • Pompoms or cotton balls or mini marshmallows
  • Various clean containers

Directions:

  1. Stuff each section of the egg carton with balled up newspaper.
  2. Close the lid and secure with 2 rubber bands, placed around the body of the carton.
  3. Wrap 2 more rubber bands horizontally around the carton, just below where the lid closes.
  4. Tape a rubber band to the handle of the spoon by attaching a long piece of tape to one side of the handle and inserting a rubber band before attaching the tape to the back of the spoon.
  5. Tuck the handle of the spoon under the rubber bands that were attached horizontally around the carton. The scoop part of the spoon should be facing away from the egg carton.
  6. Stretch the rubber band that's attached to the spoon up and over the spoon and around the back of the carton.
  7. Wrap 2 more rubber bands around the body of the carton so there are 4 rubber bands around the carton helping to keep it closed.
  8. Place a cotton ball in the spoon and shoot!. Place clean containers where you can aim your cotton ball.

To watch the project, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4o4eC5E_Qs

Black History Month Books for Kids

February is Black History Month. Here is the link to PPLD programming going on in February: https://ppld.org/blackhistorymonth The Harriet Tubman Herself presentation looks really cool and is available all month!
Also, check out these additional resources:
Black Voices booklist for Kids
Storytime @ Home: Black Joy!