For immediate release: November 21, 2025

Beloved exhibit returns with a weekly contest hidden among the trees.

Douglas County Libraries invites the community to celebrate the magic of the season with Forest of Stories, a free exhibit featuring more than 175 book-themed, beautifully decorated trees inspired by favorite stories, characters and authors. The exhibit is presented by Douglas County Libraries Foundation through January 4, 2026, at all seven library locations in Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Louviers, Parker and Roxborough. No tickets or registration required.

Visitors will find unique trees at each library location decked with book-themed trimmings, memorabilia, artifacts, and other interesting highlights. Each location also features a tree representing the individual library community and DCL’s Archives & Local History.

This year introduces an exciting new Tree of the Week contest, highlighting a different featured tree at a different library branch each week. Visitors are encouraged to locate the featured tree of the week, find and scan the ornament QR code, and enter to win a prize. New winners and new prizes are awarded each week throughout the exhibit.

Every corner of Douglas County Libraries played a part in bringing this immersive display to life, with staff and volunteers contributing extraordinary talent and creativity. The hand-crafted ornaments on the Amigurumi tree in Castle Rock, and the charming mini forest surrounding it, were crocheted and knitted by DCL staff members.

Forest of Stories brings the community and readers together for festive entertainment and tree-peeping during the holiday season, and encourages exploring each library location for something special to enjoy. The exhibit is free and open to all during library operating hours.

For more information on Forest of Stories, the trees featured at each location, and the Tree of the Week contest, visit DCL.org/forest-of-stories.

For more information on Douglas County Libraries Foundation, visit DCL.org/foundation.

Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection.

For immediate release: October 14, 2025

Douglas County Libraries and the DCL Foundation recently awarded cash prizes to four Douglas County schools and the nonprofit Colorado Agricultural Leadership Foundation as part of the library’s 2025 summer reading program, Don’t Bug Me, I’m Reading. Roxborough Primary School, Mountain Ridge Middle School, ThunderRidge High School and Ben Franklin Academy each earned $500 for securing the most summer reading signups per school level in the program’s school contest. CALF was awarded $1,000 as the nonprofit recipient of the community reading goal.

School contest signups were tallied via the Beanstack online registration app. The school in each category with the most signups as a percentage of 2024-2025 enrollment earned the reward.

“Summer reading keeps kids and families engaged with books, and it’s wonderful to see our community come together in such a big way,” said Kristen Kallio, Special Events Supervisor at Douglas County Libraries. “These prizes not only celebrate achievement but also reinvest in local schools and organizations that make a difference.”

Librarian Deb Williams said her Ben Franklin Academy students love the summer reading program, including the prizes and fun events. “When they hear that we have won [the contest], they actually clap and cheer and can’t wait to see the big check,” she said.

Alicia D’Antonio, Librarian at Mountain Ridge Middle School, encourages her students to keep reading outside the classroom by talking about it a lot, and by sharing with them how the summer reading program helps the school.

“When I polled students at the end of the last school year and asked what MRMS could do to be even better, the overwhelming answer was ‘more books’,” D’Antonio said. “I hope they feel proud to have helped contribute to making the MRMS library an even better place.”

At Roxborough Primary School, Librarian Molly Whitehair said that reading plays a vital role in the school culture. “This investment will go a long way in helping us continue to foster a vibrant reading culture at our school,” she said. “We will focus on curating a selection of new, high-interest books that we know our students will be excited to pick up and read.”

Readers of all ages are encouraged to participate in summer reading and the community reading challenge, which benefits a local nonprofit if the reading goal is met. This year, participants exceeded the goal of 10 million minutes of reading by over 1 million minutes, benefiting Colorado Agricultural Leadership Foundation in Castle Rock.

Elizabeth Hoffner, Director of Operations at CALF, said the organization’s mission is to connect all people to agriculture. “Through our programs, more than 3,000 students each year experience hands-on learning in science, food systems and the environment,” she said. “This award means a great deal to us. It reinforces the importance of experiential learning and provides tangible support for our educational programs.”

Don’t Bug Me, I’m Reading drew more than 16,000 participants who logged reading time, attended library events, and explored new stories all summer long. Summer reading at DCL will return in June 2026.

To learn more about Douglas County Libraries Foundation, visit DCL.org/foundation.

Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection.

For immediate release: October 6, 2025

Douglas County Libraries is proud to announce that Chris Brannock was recently honored with the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award from the Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL) at its annual conference in September. The award recognizes a volunteer currently serving in a Colorado library who has provided exemplary service over several years, and considers length of service, demonstrated impact on library users, and unique contributions.

“Chris has been an essential part of DCL’s volunteer program for the past 15 years. She has worn many hats, but her most significant contribution has been as the lead volunteer for Sensory Storytime,” said DCL Youth and Family Services Librarian Alex McCall, adding that Brannock has been an essential part of Sensory Storytime since its inception in 2012.

Sensory Storytime is a weekly program designed for adults with special needs. Along with library staff, Brannock completed specialized training to ensure she could best serve this unique population.

The program’s goal is to provide a welcoming, stable environment where participants can build lasting friendships. And according to McCall, Brannock has fully embraced that mission, becoming a steady presence in the program each week.

“Her dedication has helped foster strong, meaningful relationships with both participants and their caregivers,” McCall said.

DCL Youth and Family Services Supervisor Tina Schmidt recalled that she quickly realized the program would never have been as successful without Brannock. “Chris spends a lot of time curating relationships with the teens and adults coming to the program and with their families. This is very important to our attendees.”

“Chris is the face of the library for all the participants of Sensory Storytime, and they love her,” said Patrice Scheck, whose son Christopher attends Sensory Storytime at the Highlands Ranch library. “It was Chris who hatched the idea of making Christopher an official library volunteer. She graciously offered to be his support person during Storytime, and even arranged for him to have his own volunteer name tag.”

Scheck added, “She is a volunteer because her service to them is without price.”

Brannock’s volunteerism goes beyond Sensory Storytime. She can also be found volunteering for the library’s summer reading registration and events, sorting donations, working with the Second Chapter Used Bookstore, processing materials, and much more.

For information on DCL’s volunteer services and becoming a volunteer, visit DCL.org/volunteer.

Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection.

For immediate release: August 5, 2025

Celebrate community with coffee, tea and craft beer across Douglas County.

Douglas County Libraries’ annual Brew Tour is back and brewing up community spirit. From August 1 through September 30, participants are invited to sip their way across Douglas County, discovering local breweries and coffee/tea shops while earning prizes and supporting locally owned businesses.

The tour kicked off on Sunday, July 27, with an outdoor concert on the Aloha Plaza West at DCL’s Castle Rock location. Sponsored by Aloha Fund, the event featured refreshing brews and bites along with live music and giveaways.

“The Brew Tour is a celebration of books, brews and community,” said DCL Special Events Manager Kerri Morgan. “We love how it brings people together over shared passions.”

With more than 15 featured beverage stops, the Brew Tour offers something for every taste. According to Morgan, nearly 1,300 registrants were signed up by the tour’s official start date, August 1. Participants log visits to participating partners and attend exclusive DCL-hosted events at select library and brewery locations to accrue points toward prizes and rewards, and are also entered into a grand prize drawing for a Happy Brew Year.

In 2024, the Brew Tour generated $42,000 in partner brewery and coffee shop sales during its two-month run. In addition, the tour counted over 2,200 registrants with more than 3,000 prizes awarded.

Participating in the Brew Tour is free. Information on tour events and registration can be accessed via the Beanstack app. Visit DCL.org/brew-tour to learn more and sign up. Must be 18 or older to participate, and 21 or older to consume alcohol.

Brew Tour Partners

3 Freaks Brewery, Highlands Ranch

Alidade Brewing, Castle Rock

Atlas Coffee, Sterling Ranch

Bodega Beer Company, Parker

Castle Rock Collective, Castle Rock

Convict Coffee Company, Parker

Deja Brew Coffee and Print, Parker

Downhill Brewing, Parker and Greenwood Village

Enchanted Grounds Coffeehouse, Highlands Ranch

English Tealeaves Tea Room, Parker

Fika Coffee House, Parker (two locations)

Iron Mule Brewery, Castle Rock

Living the Dream Brewing Company, Highlands Ranch and Sterling Ranch

Lone Tree Brewing Company, Lone Tree

Parker Pour House, Parker

Rockyard Brewing Company, Castle Rock

Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection.

For immediate release: July 28, 2025

Milestone gala supports the work of the DCL Foundation.

Douglas County Libraries and the DCL Foundation invite the community to an enchanting evening of celebration and support at the 10th annual Fête des Fables Gala: Beauty and the Beast. The event will be held Friday, September 19, at the historic Highlands Ranch Mansion, with proceeds benefiting the DCL Foundation and its work to deliver funding and resources that support important library services and programs.

This year’s gala promises a night to remember, with French-inspired elegance woven into every detail, from fine dining and curated cocktails to live performances and artful entertainment. Guests will savor passed hors d’oeuvres, caviar and Champagne tastings, and a decadent dinner amid the glow of a thousand candles.

Additional experiences include a classic silent auction featuring unique packages, wine pull, and glam station where guests can indulge in perfume sampling, custom nail art, and a collection of men’s berets.

“Our 10th Fête is a milestone—10 years of celebrating stories, supporting access to literacy, and growing community together,” said Jaime Gotlieb, Community Services and Partnership Manager at Douglas County Libraries. “We’re grateful to our presenting sponsor, Fransen Pittman, and to everyone who helps bring this magical night to life.”

Event details and tickets are available at DCL.org/fete-des-fables.

Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection.

About Douglas County Libraries Foundation

Douglas County Libraries Foundation is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit. The Foundation delivers funding and resources to help sustain Douglas County Libraries and positively impact our community members so they can grow and thrive. Learn more at DCL.org/foundation.