What's New at PPLD!

PPLD executive director Paula Miller hosts the groundbreaking ceremony for the High Prairie Branch Library.

Watch the High Prairie Branch Groundbreaking Ceremony

Homer Hickam, author of Rocket Boys, recounts his first launch in a small West Virginia coal town.

Building Rockets from PPLD TV on Vimeo.

Stephen Kinzer, author of A Thousand Hills: Rwanda’s Rebirth and the Man Who Dreamed It, talks about the role of libraries in a free society.

Why Dictators Hate Libraries from PPLD TV on Vimeo.

In honor of Veteran’s Day, PPLD is showing an interview with war veteran Major Henry “Duke” Boswell on ppld.tv. Major Boswell talks about his experiences in World War II and the Korean War.

The staff at Pikes Peak Library District extends their sincerest gratitude to the men and women that serve and have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Come participate in National Gaming Day with PPLD. On Saturday, November 14 at East Library (5550 N. Union Blvd.) between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., there will be tween and teen video gaming in the East Teen Center, as well as board gaming and chess in Conference Rooms I and II.

From 2 – 4 p.m. in the East Library Community Meeting Room, there will be senior/teen Wii gaming. Seniors can learn how to play Wii sports with the youth of the community. Invite your teen age family members to join you and learn from the best. All seniors are encouraged to attend, but teens must be accompanied by a senior to attend this gaming session.

Also from 2 – 4 p.m., there will be board games and Rock Band playing in the Carnegie Reading Room at Penrose Library (20 N. Cascade Ave.).

A ground breaking ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 12 will begin the construction process for the High Prairie Branch Library, a facility that will provide Library service to eastern El Paso County. Non-perishable food items for Care and Share will be collected at this event. The ground breaking will occur at 7035 Old Meridian Road in Falcon, site of the soon-to-be newest branch in Pikes Peak Library District. Construction should be completed by mid-2010.

Funds are still being raised to help pay for this project. Interested donors should contact the Pikes Peak Library District Foundation (531-6333, x2205 or ppld.org/foundation).

William B. Scott, author of All Pikes Peak Reads 2009 selection Space Wars: The First Three Hours of World War III, will give presentation entitled The Power of Fiction to Shape Perception. Scott is a full-time author and consultant. He retired as the Rocky Mountain Bureau Chief for Aviation Week & Space Technology, following a 22-year career with the international magazine. He also served as Senior National Editor in Washington, and as Avionics and Senior Engineering Editors in Los Angeles.

Refreshments will be served and admission is free.

When: Thursday, October 29 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: University of the Rockies, Harvey House Auditorium, 555 E. Pikes Peak Ave.

PPLD librarians have compiled some early literacy resources for parents. Reading to children early increases literacy and brain development. Resources include a series of “Grow a Reader” activities for children 3-5 years old, and recommended early literacy websites.

Visit PPLD’s Early Literacy web page

The first 150 teens who show up with a PPLD library card at this party will skate for free, not including skate rental ($1.50 for regular skates, $3.50 for inline skates). Don’t have a card? Don’t worry! You can sign up for one at the party.

Skate City will provide bus transportation from the Fountain and Old Colorado City library branches. If you are interested in taking a bus to this event, contact Mary Gapko (Fountain Branch, 382-5347) or Tiffany Paisley (Old Colorado City Branch, 634-1698).

And be sure to dress up for the costume contest!

• When: Friday, October 30, 6 – 10 p.m.
• Where: Skate City, 4575 Austin Bluffs Parkway

Latoya Lucas, award-winning author of The Immeasurable Spirit: Lessons of a Wounded Warrior about Faith and Perseverance, will give a free presentation and book signing. Lucas is the recipient of the Purple Heart Medal, and recently was awarded the Military Writers society of America Gold Medal Award. She also recently sat down for an interview for PPLD TV, which can be viewed by clicking here.

• When: Saturday, October 31, 2 – 4 p.m.
• Where: East Library, 5550 N. Union Blvd.