Libraries aren’t just for books anymore. At the Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD), you can record a podcast, take a nature walk, learn to cook or create art—all for free.

It’s a new chapter for libraries. The hush-hush, staid, dusty volumes of yesteryear are nowhere to be found. Library locations offer the expected plethora of materials—namely books—for checkout alongside an astonishing breadth of programs and services. Yet even with inflation affecting everything from fuel to food, the library is still free.

A lively game of mah jongg brings women together for fun at the library (photo courtesy PPLD)

PPLD’s 14 branches provide a surprising array of programs and resources designed to engage people of all interests. And with cooking classes in a state-of-the-art kitchen, recording studios and intergenerational activities, today’s library is more than just a quiet place to read.

COOKING IN A LIBRARY?

Scott Crum, 57, never imagined he’d be teaching cooking classes inside a library, but in Library 21c’s kitchen, he does just that.

During a recent class, he diced vegetables, simmered broth made from Parmesan rinds and added mini meatballs for Italian wedding soup—all while fielding questions as he circulated the room with the soup at various stages so students could get a glimpse or savory whiff before serving up small tasting cups.

Janet and John Young get a front-row view as Scott Crum demonstrates how to make light-as-air French pastry dough. Back row: Kristen Friedman, Robert and Phyllis Barto. (photo by James Harris Photography)

Crum will spearhead a culinary program this spring for Library Explorers, a group for adults with differing abilities. 

Cooking isn’t the only unexpected offering at PPLD. Yvette Dow-Rose, a librarian specializing in senior programs, actively seeks out ways to engage older patrons to determine what types of programs they want most.

“I visit senior living facilities and work with Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging. I ask them what days and times work best for them, as well as the types of programs they’re interested in,” said Dow-Rose.

Through these conversations, she found that many seniors wanted financial education classes, especially on avoiding scams related to Medicaid, romance and online fraud. This summer, PPLD will partner with the Association of Financial Educators to offer a course on protecting against financial scams.

“We make sure we find reliable speakers who won’t put attendees on a sneaky mailing list,” she said. 

Lee Kowalski displays her handmade sock at Library 21c’s Fiber Arts Group.

 Art programs are another big draw. Elizabeth Stanbro leads Art for Older Adults, a monthly class where those 55 and older can create pieces that reflect their life experiences. One student, recovering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI), told Stanbro it was her first outing since her accident.

“She said she hadn’t been able to talk to people prior to the class,” Stanbro said, adding that the library gave her a safe space to reconnect. 

For many seniors, the library leads to lasting friendships. People meet at a program, then go out to lunch afterward, sometimes introducing each other to new hobbies, said Dow-Rose,

Dr. Clara Tao, 66, is among many patrons who love visiting the library with their grandchildren.

“I grew up visiting the library every week with my older brothers to discover, read and borrow books,” she said. “Now I’m a grandmother and have taken my grandkids to the Monument branch for the Storytime programs, to visit Ruby the salamander and to feed the ducks behind the library.” 

PPLD also offers intergenerational programs, which gained popularity during COVID when traditional age-specific programming became difficult. Now, nature walks, storytime strolls and the Summer Adventure reading program welcome participants of all ages.

CREATIVITY, TECH AND MORE

Laura Quinlan and JoAnn Jones learn the finer points of turning choux pastry into cream puffs from the instructor as Cindy Simpson pipes them into proper form. (photo by James Harris Photography)

Beyond these activities, the library is also a treasure trove for history buffs and tech-savvy seniors. Dow-Rose hopes more people take advantage of PPLD’s genealogy and regional history programs, which are available in-person and online. 

“This allows seniors to enjoy them from the comfort of their own home,” she said.

Jamie Wagner, 64, a former regional history and genealogy associate who retired in October 2024, said these classes had a loyal following.

“We would typically have anywhere from five to 15 people in a class, and many of them would come back for multiple classes,” he said. “Most of them were seniors.” 

PPLD patrons also have access to Ancestry Library Edition at all locations and can use exclusive records from FamilySearch, available only through affiliate libraries.

For tech-savvy seniors, PPLDTV on YouTube offers past lectures, craft tutorials and other content. Northstar Computer Classes teach digital literacy, from using search engines effectively to mastering email and Microsoft Word. Participants can even test their skills in a proctored assessment.

PPLD also provides spaces for creators. The district offers professional-grade recording equipment, including lighting kits, microphones, guitars and keyboards. Patrons can reserve studio spaces at Library 21c and Sand Creek Library and consult with specialists about filming or recording an album.

“Today, when so much information is available online with computers and phones, I think the library is still an invaluable place where all ages can learn, find books that have pages we can touch and feel, as well as the quiet solitude to immerse ourselves in worlds beyond our physical limits,” Tao said. 

SENIOR-FRIENDLY LIBRARY PERKS

PPLD caters to seniors with extended 90-day checkout periods for homebound patrons, large-print materials and free resource publications. 

“The libraries here in the Springs are a hidden gem,” said patron and retired pilot Jan Valentine, 74. “Not only can you check out books, you can also check out video cameras, make a recording, create items on 3D printers or take a class.” 

“PPLD offers something for everyone,” Dow-Rose added. “Being a senior doesn’t mean you have to fit in a certain niche. You can learn to create a podcast in your 60s!”

PPLD MARCH ACTIVITIES

For a complete calendar, visit PPLD.LibraryMarket.com. Classes may be offered at multiple times and at several branches. All activities are free.

• Spring Makerspace open house
• Paper marbling
• German conversation group
• Yoga
• Device drop-in help
• Tea blend workshop
• Senior movie matinee: "Going in Style"
• 3D printer badging and modeling
• Transformational caregiving
• Repair Cafe
• Birds of the Pikes Peak Region
• Fiber arts club
• Sewing classes
• Skean Dubh concert (Celtic acoustic band)
• Jigsaw puzzle swap
• Paleo/vegan smoothie class
• Virtual author visits