Pikes Peak Library District leaders gave City Council an overview of the districts operations, legal status and service plans on Sept. 22, saying the district is an independent special district created under Colorado statute and serves roughly 700,000 residents across El Paso County.

Board president Julie Smythe said the library district is governed by a seven-member volunteer Board of Trustees appointed jointly by the City Council and County Commissioners; the district operates independently of the city for budget and policy and follows governmental accounting standards.

Why it matters: Council members said they wanted regular briefings because the city appoints trustees. PPLD leaders described commitments to intellectual freedom, parental controls and public-access policies that govern collections, reconsideration processes and computer use for minors.

What the district presented
- Governance and scope: Julie Smythe said Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) is established under CRS 24-90-110 with responsibilities outlined in CRS 24-90-109. The district operates 14 branches and serves communities including Manitou Springs, Fountain, Monument and Palmer Lake.
- Policy highlights: Smythe emphasized the districts commitment to First Amendment principles and to publicly documented policies for collection development, reconsideration of materials and computer/internet safety. The district said it receives about one to two formal challenges to materials per year and that challenge records are publicly available.
- Usage and collections: Tamisha Scribe, the districts CEO, said about 45% of individual residents hold library cards and roughly 65% of households in the district have at least one card; physical and digital materials are used at roughly equal rates. Nonfiction, videos, picture books and childrens nonfiction were listed among the most-borrowed physical collections.
- Access and future branch planning: The district said its nonrenewal of a prior lease in the northwest left that area with no staffed branch; PPLD said it is actively seeking property and continuing mobile services and holds lockers, and that no firm timeline exists for a rebuilt neighborhood branch until a suitable property is secured. PPLD also described planned improvements to its integrated library system in 2026, including “minor cards” to let parents set parental controls.

Council questions and follow-up
- Council members asked about the districts role as a convening space ("third place") for communities; PPLD said it provides meeting rooms, community programming and mobile services but follows Colorado library law in its mission and operations.
- Council members requested continued annual or regular informational briefings because the city and county jointly appoint trustees and the council wants regular updates.

Outlook
PPLD leaders invited council to continue regular engagement and offered to bring more detailed briefings on property-search progress for a northwest branch and on policy questions when requested.