Frequently Asked Questions

It’s not too late, but time is critical. At a community meeting on 10/26, City Councilman Dave Donelson encouraged us to keep fighting, emphasizing that strong community support can make a difference. While PPLD Board voted to close Rockrimmon Library, we still have a chance to show community support, raise pledges, and advocate for solutions to keep it open.

PPLD’s consideration to close the Rockrimmon Library is primarily due to financial and operational challenges. According to the Facilities Master Plan, key reasons include (1) Lease Costs, (2) Facility Size and Condition, and (3) Budget Constraints.

(2024 PPLD budget and PPLD Annual Report) You can read their full explanation: https://ppld.org/rockrimmon-library-lease-decision

Some feel that PPLD may not be acting in the public's best interest due to several concerns:

Lack of Transparency: Some residents feel that decisions, such as closing Rockrimmon Library, have been made without sufficient community input or clear communication.

Focus on Financial Cuts Over Community Needs: PPLD’s cost-cutting measures, like closing leased branches, appear to prioritize budget constraints over community needs. Additionally, PPLD has not pursued a ballot measure to increase funding, which is a missed opportunity to involve the community in securing sustainable support for all library branches.

Dismissal of Community Efforts: Many feel the board has not fully considered alternative solutions to keep Rockrimmon Library open. The board dismissed the Rockrimmon Library owner's offer to lower rent and take care of all maintenance issues. This unwillingness to collaborate on creative solutions contributes to skepticism about PPLD’s commitment to serving community interests.

The June 2024 Facilities Master Plan states that increased funding could help keep branches, including Rockrimmon, open. However, PPLD has not pursued additional funding sources, nor sought support from the Friends of PPLD. They also dismissed a lease reduction offer from the property owner and did not consider residents’ pledges to help fundraise for the branch.

The people organizing this effort have not been privy to conversations between PPLD and the building owner. 

The building owner has attended several community meetings and has offered solutions to address maintenance issues, including a reduced lease and covering flooding or sinkhole repair costs. The Master Facilities Plan states, “This leased facility is in excellent condition with no deferred maintenance required to meet the FCI target of 0.10"

The primary issue appears to be PPLD’s budget constraints and decisions around allocating resources, rather than the building owner’s actions.

Rockrimmon is tied with Cheyenne Mountain Library as the second busiest library out of 15 locations and the mobile library. The Facilities Master Plan notes that the Rockrimmon branch is actually undersized for its level of patronage.

The Rockrimmon Library provides a variety of essential services to the community, including:

Meeting Space: Available for community gatherings, events, and study groups.

Children’s Programs: Storytimes, reading programs, and educational activities.

Safe Spaces for Youth: A welcoming, secure environment where kids and teens can spend time after school. Many Eagleview Middle Schoolers go here after school and late start mornings.

Senior and adult programs: Art classes, yoga classes, and book clubs.

Access to Books and Reading: Extensive collections across genres to encourage reading and lifelong learning.

The PPLD Board of Trustees voted to not renew the lease for the Rockrimmon Library on 10/16, which passed 5-2.

Board of Trustees Members - - Vote on Library Closure (YES to Close / NO to Keep Open)

Dora Gonzales, President - - YES (1st term ends 12/31/2024)

Erin Bents, Secretary/Treasurer - - YES (1st term ends 12/31/2026)

Aaron Salt - - YES (1st term ends 12/31/2026)

Julie Smyth - - YES (1st term ends 12/31/2027)

Angela Dougan - - YES (1st term ends 12/31/2028)

Scott Taylor, Vice President - - NO (2nd term ends 12/31/2027)

Debbie English - - NO (2nd term ends 12/31/2025)

Note: PPLD Board of Trustees members are appointed for 5 years – and may be reappointed once (for a total of 10 years). Both Scott Taylor and Debbie English are on their second terms.

Members of the Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) Board of Trustees are appointed through a collaborative process involving the Colorado Springs City Council and the El Paso County Board of Commissioners. Both groups appoint two PPLD liaisons each.

When a vacancy arises, the Office of the Chief Librarian at PPLD collects applications, which are then reviewed by the four liaisons. They recommend which applicant(s) they feel are best and both the City Council and the Commissioners vote on them. Both groups must agree.

Trustees serve five-year terms and are eligible to serve a maximum of two consecutive terms, allowing for a total of up to ten years on the Board.

We've summarized some key events leading up to this vote. You can view the timeline of key events at this link.