One way that Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) serves the El Paso County community is by having high quality, up-to-date facilities for patrons to visit. Penrose Library, built in 1968 with funds from the El Pomar Foundation, is currently undergoing an updates project to enhance the patron experience, modernize the facility, and update security features.
“I’m excited about bringing the building into the 21st century,” says Michael Brantner, PPLD’s chief facilities & security officer. “There are a lot of old systems that don’t provide the safety and security the District needs. [This project] provides safety and security for patrons and staff that we have needed for a while.”
Takiyah Jemison, the manager of Penrose Library, looks forward to patrons experiencing the renovations. “These improvements reflect our commitment to providing outstanding service and creating a welcoming space for everyone,” she says. “As we move forward, I’m excited to see how these changes enhance the Library experience for both patrons and staff.”
With steadfast dedication to excellence, Jemison and her team are committed to making the Library a place where knowledge, community, and resources come together to inspire and uplift everyone who walks through the doors. Her leadership reflects a passion for ensuring that every visitor—whether they are a child exploring the joy of reading, a student seeking a quiet place to study, or a community member accessing vital resources—feels supported and secure.
Phase One
The updates project started in 2024 with the lowering of tall shelf units to improve accessibility, lighting, and visibility. During this phase, Penrose Library was closed so that shelf construction could proceed safely. Additional shelving was also added. Previously, the top shelves were not being used due to their height, so lowering the shelf height created a more efficient use of space and Penrose Library’s shelving space expanded.
Other changes implemented at that time included furniture upgrades, security system upgrades, and the installation of secure charging stations. Since their installation, the charging stations have seen significant use among Library users, with 1,421 uses in January 2025 alone.
Phase Two
The second phase of renovations began in January 2025 and will conclude in late March. Updates include improvements to the Children’s area, the Computer Lab, and the Friends of PPLD bookstore. The Children’s area and Computer Lab are scheduled to open to the public on Mon., March 31, and there will be an informal ribbon cutting celebration for the Children’s area on Tue., April 1 at 9:30 a.m. followed by the morning Toddler Time.
“I’m most excited about the Children’s area,” Brantner says. “We’ve already seen significant increases in children and families coming to Penrose Library after the first phase.”
Jemison is similarly excited about the improved Children’s area, adding, “a welcoming environment is a top priority, and this new layout ensures that families can enjoy the space with peace of mind. These updates reflect our commitment to making the Library a place where everyone—especially our youngest visitors—can feel supported. I can't wait to see families enjoying this new space with confidence and ease.”
Following renovations, the Children’s area has become its own enclosed section, creating a quieter environment for children, as well as for patrons using other parts of the Library. Also, this new design allows visitors to access the elevators through a hallway instead of walking through the Children’s area.
“Previously, the location of the elevator doors made it easy for patrons to unintentionally wander into the Children’s area,” Jemison explains. “Now, with a dedicated hallway and entrance, families have a secure and enclosed space designed just for them. This... creates a more comfortable and engaging environment where children can explore, learn, and play without distractions.”
Bookshelves at the back of the room were lowered to match the rest of the shelving, increasing visibility for children, parents, and staff. The upper shelves were not in use because they were too high for many children to reach and for ADA accessibility standards. The addition of another row of shelves toward the front of the room creates more space for books.
Visitors to the Children’s area will also find a colorful surprise waiting for them – a new mural painted by Colorado artist Amanda Stavast!
Changes to the Computer Lab, which is located on the lower level, provide a more spacious environment for patrons while increasing patron privacy and providing excellent computer service. The wall previously enclosing part of the lab for use as a computer classroom was replaced with an accordion wall that can be used to create a separate room when computer classes are in session. This opens more space for Computer Lab users to enjoy when no classes are happening. The removal of the wall also makes it easier for Library staff at the desk to see the entire Computer Lab so that they know when someone needs assistance.
New computer tables and a new table layout provide a more private computer experience and more space to work. New charging station desks create space where patrons can use their own computers or a loaned Chromebook computer. Library users check in with staff at the Computer Lab service desk in order to use the charging station desks, just like the lab computers. As part of this project, more than 30 Chromebook computers were added to the Penrose Library collection for visitors to check out and use at the Library.
Lab computers are available on a reservation system to provide a more efficient computer experience. Patrons can check in with staff at the desk about computer availability and be added to a waiting list if no computers are immediately available. This system makes it easier for staff to know which computers are available or in use, as well as which computers are about to become available.
The lab now includes a new self-checkout kiosk for Chromebook computers, increasing the number of Chromebooks available for checkout. Patrons can check out a Chromebook for use at Penrose Library that day. When finished, they can simply return the computer to the kiosk. These additional Chromebooks allow for more flexible use of Penrose Library’s computer space.
During this phase of the project, staff desks were also relocated to better serve patrons throughout the building, “I'm really excited about the new changes at Penrose Library,” Jemison says of the renovations. “The new service desks on the main floor allow our staff to assist patrons as soon as they walk in, creating a more welcoming and efficient experience.”
Phase Three
The project’s third phase will include further safety and security updates. An ADA speaker system will be installed that displays text and shows a visual alert when auditory information is played over the PA system so that visitors with hearing loss can receive the alert. Security features will be installed in stairwells, and a fence will be installed around the perimeter of the property.
The fence will be modeled after the existing fence that has enclosed the Carnegie Library Garden at Penrose Library for the last two decades.
“The fence ensures that the Penrose Library campus is secure during closed hours when the Library is not staffed,” explains Brantner. “That protects taxpayers’ investment in the building and its resources.”
Its installation will also create new outdoor Library spaces for Library users to enjoy. In the Children’s area, the fence will create an enclosed courtyard that extends beyond the current outdoor patio. This space will create a place where the Library can host outdoor Children’s programs when the weather is nice.
“It will create a vibrant downtown space for families and children to come use,” Brantner adds. “Especially with more family housing being added to downtown.”
Much thought has gone into how to install a fence that meshes well with the surrounding downtown area. The structure of the fence includes future plans to install art pieces along it so that it contributes to the vibrant downtown public art displays.
Penrose Library is a highly utilized Library centrally located in an expanding downtown area. These updates allow the Library to continue providing high quality user experiences for the community.
“The Library [District] is constantly looking at ways to improve the safety of our patrons and staff, and to improve the experience that patrons have at our locations,” Brantner says. “Penrose Library has been due for these types of updates for a while. We have a strong commitment to improving this location for our downtown patrons to enjoy a state-of-the-art facility once again.”