With household budgets under pressure from higher prices, the Pikes Peak Library District is drawing attention to the breadth of no-cost services available to Colorado Springs residents through a standard library card.
A trip to the movies can cost a family of four more than $100, a few new books from a bookstore can quickly add another $100 or more, and art classes, sewing classes, tutoring, printing, and even costume supplies all carry a price tag — expenses that PPLD says cardholders can sidestep entirely. At Pikes Peak Library District, residents can do all those things with just a library card.
For families whose budgets are stretched by higher prices, PPLD offers plenty of ways to spend time together without spending more money, including games, puzzles, programs, and access to makerspaces and studios. Children ages 9 and older can use many makerspace resources with a parent or guardian, giving families a chance to create something together, whether that means sewing, crafting, or watching a design take shape on a 3D printer.
Academic support is also part of the offering. Online tutoring is available around the clock, especially for late-night homework emergencies, while in-person math and science help is also available at Library 21c, Old Colorado City Library, and Ruth Holley Library. Tutoring, research assistance, test preparation, and other academic resources can be explored at ppld.org/homework.
Beyond academics, children and teens can discover games, movies, anime, comics, youth programs, and other activities, and can check out interactive kits that include popular Magna tiles or materials for building robots. Kids can also use a Culture Pass to take their parents to a museum or other local attraction, and families can check out toys from a toy library.
Families are not the only ones looking for ways to stretch their budgets — seniors living on fixed incomes, college students searching for no-cost entertainment, and young adults trying to maintain a social life can all find something at PPLD. Cardholders can stream movies and music, download audiobooks and eBooks, and borrow board games or cameras.
For those focused on employment, PPLD offers no-cost printing and help writing resumes, and a career navigator is available to help people find work, with courses available for adults looking to learn and grow professionally.
A library card connects residents with thousands of things to read, watch, learn, make, and do without adding another charge to a credit card, and the value can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars. Residents can sign up at ppld.org/library-card.
It was not immediately clear whether PPLD plans to expand any of the highlighted programs or add new branch locations to the in-person tutoring roster.