Monument Library (MO)

In collaboration with Who Gives a SCRAP Creative Reuse Center, we are hosting an arts, crafts, and hobby material exchange! Bring in your new, clean/gently used, and unwanted craft materials and exchange them for "tickets" to exchange for new-to-you craft supplies!

Please refrain from bringing items that can be recycled (plastic food containers), bedding, and building waste. Check the Who Gives a Scrap Donation Guidelines for a full list of items that can and cannot be donated.

We will also have a fun up-cycling craft going on, so you can take your time and check for new inventory! No registration required. 

For more information about each event, check our events calendar

• Sat., March 16 from 1 - 4 p.m. at Sand Creek Library – Calendar
• Sat., April. 27 from 1 - 4 p.m. at High Prairie Library – Calendar
• Sat., May 11 from 1 - 4 p.m. at Manitou Springs Library – Calendar
• Sat., June 15 from 1 - 4 p.m. at Library 21c – Calendar
• Sat., July 20 from 1 - 4 p.m. at East Library – Calendar
• Sat., Aug. 31 from 1 - 4 p.m. at Rockrimmon Library – Calendar
• Sat., Sep. 14 from 1 - 4 p.m. at Penrose Library – Calendar
• Sat., Oct. 19 from 1 - 4 p.m. at Monument Library – Calendar
• Sat., Nov. 2 from 1 - 4 p.m. at Banning Lewis Ranch – Calendar

Adventure Begins at your Library with the 2024 Winter Adult Reading Program!

Log 30 days of activities from Thu., Feb. 1 - Sun., March 31 to earn prizes! Activities such as attending Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) activities listed below and reading for 30 minutes or more a day. 

To register, sign up for Beanstack or stop by the Library to register in-person (curbside services available). When you register in-person or at curbside, you will receive a Winter Adult Reading Program tote bag (while supplies last). 
 

Click here to sign up for Beanstack.

Winter Adult Reading Program Game Card

You can also use the Beanstack app, available for Android and Iphone.

Winter Adult Reading Program Registration Kick-Off!

Join us as we kick off the 2024 Winter Adult Reading Program on Thu., Feb. 1. Register beginning on Feb. 1 and pick up a limited-edition registration tote bag while supplies last. Bags will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.  

Prizes

Log 30 days of activities from Feb. 1 – March 31 to earn the annual limited edition Winter Adult Reading Program mug, a certificate for a free piece of chocolate from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and an entry into the grand prize drawing. Activities include reading for 30 minutes or more a day, attending a PPLD program, or any of the activities listed below. You can complete the program through a combination of activities and reading.  

Handwashing is recommended for the mug to preserve the logo.  

Grand Prize Drawing.

Complete your challenge for an entry into the Grand Prize Drawing to receive one of five Colorado Springs Downtown Partnership Gift Cards! Take an adventure in Colorado Springs and explore over 170 Downtown shops, restaurants, salons, and venues where the Downtown Partnership Gift Card is accepted. Click here to see a list of participating locations.  

For every additional five days of reading or activities you log, you will receive one additional entry into the Grand Prize Drawing for a total of up to six additional entries. 

PPLD employees are not eligible for the grand prize.  

Programs

Adventure Begins at Your Library with one of the following fun and informational programs. Each program is being offered as a part of the Winter Adult Reading Program.

Birds of the Pikes Peak Region 

Join wildlife biologist and author Joe LaFleur for an audio-visual presentation about how to identify local raptors, hawks, and owls by sight and sound. After the presentation, Joe will have his books and DVDs available for purchase.  

• Monument Library: Sat., March 16 at 11 a.m.
• Ute Pass Library: Sat., March 23 at 2:30 p.m.

The Great American Solar Eclipse in 2024 

This talk will discuss the historical and modern cultural context of the solar eclipse in society, what solar eclipses are, the basic science of why eclipses occur, and where to see one of these exciting celestial events. We will also demonstrate safe observing practices using common household objects. The Colorado Springs Astronomical Society  will have 100 solar eclipse viewers to hand out at the conclusion of this presentation. Weather permitting, we will also have solar telescopes set up to provide safe, amazing views of the Sun.  

• Rockrimmon Library: Wed., Feb. 21 at 1 p.m.
• East Library: Mon., March 4 at 6 p.m.
• Black Forest Community Church on Sat., March 9, 1:30 p.m.

The Astronomer's Guide to the Universe 

Join the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society for an introduction to astronomy and what we can see in the night sky.    

• Fountain Library: Fri., Feb. 9 at 3 p.m.
• Cheyenne Mountain Library: Tue., Feb. 27 at 10:30 a.m.
• Library 21c: Wed., Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. 

Preserving the Night Sky 

Join the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society to learn more about why the stars in the night sky seem to be disappearing. The cause of this phenomenon is also affecting both wildlife and human behavior. This talk presents the challenges of light pollution, what they're doing about it, and how the community can help.

• Manitou Springs Library: Sat., Feb. 3 at 1 p.m.
• Ruth Holley Library: Tue., Mar. 12 at 2 p.m. 

The Search for Extraterrestrials: The Real-Life Search for Life Elsewhere in our Solar System 

Everywhere on Earth that we look, even in the most extreme environments, we find life. Join the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society for a talk that explores how we’re using our understanding of life on Earth to help us in our search for life on other worlds. We’ll also discuss the Drake Equation and Fermi’s Paradox and how they factor into the possibility of life out there.  

• Old Colorado City Library, Wed., Feb. 7 at 3 p.m.
• East Library: Sat., Feb 17 at 2 p.m. 

How Telescopes Changed our Understanding of the Universe 

Join the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society to learn how telescopes have helped us understand more about the mysteries of the universe.

• Old Colorado City Library: Mon., Feb. 12 at 2 p.m.

DIY Book Nook

Every book is an adventure; make your bookshelf an invitation to adventure with this DIY Book Nook! Use materials and LED string lights to create a work of art to add to your personal bookshelves.

• Old Colorado City Library, Sat., Mar. 9 at 2:30 p.m.
• Ruth Holley Library: Tue., March 26 at 2 p.m. 

Handmade Adventure Journals

Make a fabric-covered journal to take on your next adventure. You will learn some basic sewing ideas too!

• Monument Library: Fri., March 8 at 12:30 p.m.
• Library 21c: Thu., March 14 at 2 p.m.
• Manitou Springs Library: Sat., March 16 at 1 p.m.
• Cheyenne Mountain Library: Mon., March 25 at 10:30 a.m.
• Calhan Library: Wed., March 27 at 3:30 p.m.
• Sand Creek Library: Wed., March 27 at 5 p.m.
• Fountain Library: Sat., March 30 at 10 a.m. 

Activities

Need some suggestions for activities? We’re here to help! 

• Join a PPLD Book Club  
• Explore a new genre or author
• Adventure into a new skill or hobby
• Write a book review for our website at ppld.org  
• Read a book set in winter or a book filled with adventure
• Check out these recommended adventure reads on OverDrive
• Watch the movie version of a book you read using Hoopla or Kanopy
• Visit a Little Free Library in your neighborhood  
• Join the Peak Readers Club  
• Checkout Colorado State Park Passes from PPLD  
• Explore museums and other attractions in the Pikes Peak region with a Pikes Peak Culture Pass

Reading Resources 

• Browse our online Catalog
• Get eBooks on OverDrive
• Listen to eAudiobooks on Audio Book Cloud

Pick up your copy of the winter 2024 issue of the Library’s District Discovery magazine to track your progress, read stories, and more!  

Have Questions? 

Check out our FAQ for more information on our Adult Winter Reading Program

• View our Winter Adult Reading Program FAQ (Online Version)
• View our Winter Adult Reading Program FAQ (Better for Print)

Our theme for this year's Teen Art Contest is Balance.

Balance can be a physical skill or how we approach all the demands of our life. Can you balance on a tight rope or balance beam? Maybe you balance on a skateboard or ski board. Balance could be how you handle all the different responsibilities in your life - including your own needs and wants with school, family, and friends. Create a piece inspired by the theme that shares your thoughts on Balance or expresses what Balance means to you and enter it to win a prize!

Entries are judged by other teens, along with one award that is judged by Library staff. 

Important Dates

• Sign up online between Thu., Dec. 1 – Tues., Feb. 13
• Drop off your artwork from Fri., Feb. 9 – Tue., Feb. 13
• Awards Ceremony on Tues., March 19th, at 6 p.m. at East Library Community Room
• Art on display throughout April
• Art pick up the first week of May

How to enter

Make sure you qualify:

• Must be ages 12 - 19 at time of submission.
• Must be an El Paso County resident.

Create your art following these guidelines:

• Create something that is a 2D form of art!
  • Artwork can be any type of two-dimensional art form, as long as we can safely hang it on the wall.
    • Including but not limited to: Photography, Digital Art, Painting, Drawing, Mixed Media/Collage, prints, crochet, etc.
    • There are no formal size requirements, but it needs to be something we can hang on the wall and also transport in a regular passenger car.

Prepare your art:

• We highly recommend mattes or foamboard for artwork on paper. This helps protect it during transportation and helps with hanging.
  • Submitting art plain or in a frame is fine, just not preferred.
  • Pieces on canvas don’t need additional protection.
• Your submission should be able to support being hung in our galley hanging wire system.
  • Ideally this means there is a hanging wire or a spot we can attach a hanging wire to.
  • There are several free or low-cost ways to attach a hook or D-Ring.
  • PPLD will supply hanging wire and attach hooks upon receiving submissions if needed.

Complete the entry forms:

• Fill out the art agreement form.
• All entries must have the following securely taped (NOT paper clipped) OR written on the back:
  • Name:
  • Grade:
  • Artwork Title (Make sure this matches the online entry you fill out below):
  • Display/Pick-up Location (choose East Library, Penrose Library, or Library 21c):
• Fill this online form out if you are a teen entering yourself
• Fill this online form out if you are a teacher entering for your student(s)
  • Download the excel spreadsheet here

Drop off your submission:

• Bring in your art and the art agreement form.
• Between Fri., Feb. 9 - Tue., Feb. 13., bring your submission to a drop-off location.
  • Drop-off locations:
    • East Library
    • Library 21c
    • Monument Library 
    • Fountain Library
    • High Prairie Library 
    • Manitou Springs Library
    • Ruth Holley Library
    • Cheyenne Mountain Library

Other Entry guidelines:

• Only one entry per person
• Library Staff reserve the right to decline inappropriate entries

Award Categories

Award categories include: 

• One overall Best in Show
• Middle School Division: First Place, Second Place, and Coordinator's Choice
• High School Division: First Place, Second Place, and Coordinator's Choice for High School

Winning participants will be notified via letter in mid-March, with specific awards announced at the awards ceremony on Tues., March 19th, at 6 p.m. at East Library. All entries accepted into the show will be on display in April at East Library, Penrose Library, or Library 21c.

FAQs

• Can I submit a photograph/digital art/other type of 2D art?
  Any type of 2D art piece is accepted as long as we can hang it on the wall and it can be transported between libraries. We’ve had digital pieces, photography, crochet, painting, drawing, photographs of sculptures, collage, charcoal, and more!
   
• Do you have size requirements for pieces?
  Nothing formal – we have to be able to transport pieces between libraries, so the upper limit on size is something that will fit in a vehicle and will be able to be hung up on a wall.
   
• When will I know if I have won?
  We will notify award winners by mid-March. All participants and their friends and family are invited to the Awards Ceremony on Tue., March 19 at 6 p.m. in the East Library Community Room regardless of winning an award.
   
• Will my artwork be displayed?
  Yes! You can choose from one of three locations to have your artwork displayed during the month of April. Locations are Penrose Library, East Library, or Library 21c.
   
• When and where can I pick up my artwork?
  The first week of May at the library you selected to have it displayed. An email will be sent in April with specific details.
   
• What are the prizes?
  We award prizes for Coordinator’s Choice, First place, and Second place for the high school and middle school age groups. We also award a prize for Best in Show, which is the piece that received the highest score out of both the middle and high school categories. In the past, winners received a drawing mannequin and gift card to Meininger’s Art Supply store.
   
• What can I do to improve my chances of winning?
  Work with the theme—It doesn’t have to be a literal interpretation, but we do look for pieces that have been inspired by the theme in some way. Your paragraph describing your piece can have a big impact on this.
  
  Stand out! Whether through subject matter or having an unusual take on the theme, we notice unique entries more. For example, we tend to get a lot of close-ups on eyes, so they tend to not stand out as much.
  
  Have fun! Don’t view it as an assignment or chore. We can tell when someone submits a piece they are passionate about – so do something that you love!
   
• Do I have to have a matte?
  No, but we highly encourage it. Pieces are not judged on having a matte or not, but mattes help protect your artwork during storage and transportation and make it easier to hang your piece. Frames are also accepted, but mattes are preferred.
   
• I'm a teacher with an amazing class, can I enter them?
  Yes! If you are a teacher who would like to enter a class of students, you can fill out the Excel Spreadsheet linked here to complete one entry form for all of your students. You will be responsible for communicating with participants about the award ceremony and art pick-up.
   
• My question wasn’t answered here.
  Email Becca at rphilipsen@ppld.org