For immediate release: July 15, 2026

Douglas County Libraries and the DCL Foundation invite the community to an exceptional evening of celebration and support at the 11th annual Fête des Fables Gala: Snow White. The event will be held Friday, September 25, 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 is inspired by the dark tale of beauty, envy and power in the classic fairy tale. Guests will enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres, curated cocktails, an elegant dinner, tempting desserts, unique tasting experiences, axe-throwing, live entertainment, and an exhibition-style jewelry artist, plus gifts and giveaways.

Additional experiences include a classic silent auction featuring exclusive packages, a wine pull, and a glam station that offers guests a glow-up.

“Our annual gala is a wonderful celebration of a classic story and is the sole event that the DCL Foundation hosts to raise funds to help support library programs and ensure our libraries serve our communities well into the future,” said Jaime Gotlieb, Community Services and Partnerships Manager at Douglas County Libraries.

“So many people and sponsors come together each year to help bring this magical night to life. We’re especially grateful to this year’s presenting sponsors, Fransen Pittman and Sterling Ranch Development Company,” Gotlieb said.

Some of the library programs and services supported by the DCL Foundation include camp scholarships and educational support, Operation Paperback, Summer Reading, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Cuddle Up and Read, and Forest of Stories.

Fête des Fables 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.

Through a partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and Foundation support, DCL provides free books to Douglas County kids from birth to age 5, inspiring a lifelong love of reading.

Guests enjoy a fine dining experience and good company in celebration and support of the work of the DCL Foundation.

Guests and friends capture the magic of Fête des Fables through fun photo ops.

The gala’s classic silent auction features an array of unique items and packages that guests can bid on to win.

Summer Reading at Douglas County Libraries is one of several programs that receives Foundation funding and resources to positively impact community members.

For immediate release: May 27, 2026

Douglas County Libraries’ western-themed summer reading offers fun for all ages.

This summer, Douglas County Libraries invites readers of all ages to tip their hats to adventure, discovery, and the joy of reading with Howdy Partner, Let’s Read from June 6-July 31. Registration is open at DCL.org/summer-reading. Packed with events, prizes, and family fun, the program officially kicks off June 6 with Prize Pickup Kickoff at all DCL locations from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

All Summer Reading participants will be entered into Giddyup Giveaways featuring prize drawings for two exciting prize packages that include tickets to the 2027 National Western Stock Show, 2026 Douglas County Fair and Rodeo, plus much more. Winners will be drawn in late July.

Registered participants also receive sign-up prizes and are eligible for BOGO tickets to select Colorado Rapids games. Prizes, reading logs, and a special, limited-edition gift may be picked up at a June 6 kickoff, while supplies last. The special gift is available only on June 6 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at any DCL location. Finishing prizes are available beginning June 7, while supplies last.

Summer Reading includes a number of western-themed programs and events for all ages, including outdoor Family Movie Night on the Aloha Plaza East at DCL’s Castle Rock location on Saturday, June 20. Guests will enjoy snacks, music, life-size games, and an outdoor screening of Home on the Range (PG), sponsored by Aloha Fund.

Douglas County K-12 students can help their schools earn a $500 prize just by signing up to read. The schools at each level with the most sign-ups receive the prize donation courtesy of Douglas County Libraries Foundation.

Howdy Partner, Let’s Read participants of all ages can also log their reading time to help meet the community goal of 10.5 million minutes read. If the goal is met, Douglas County Libraries Foundation will donate $1,000 to the nonprofit Douglas County 4-H Youth Council, which works to organize and lead events and activities in support of Douglas County 4-H.

Visit DCL.org/summer-reading to learn more and register for Summer Reading and related programs and events.

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

Howdy Partner, Let’s Read kicks off June 6 at all DCL locations.

Pick up a special, limited-edition gift at a Prize Pickup Kickoff event June 6 only, while supplies last.

Reading together is the best summer adventure.

Everyone can enjoy games, activities, and a PG-rated film at Summer Reading Family Movie Night, June 20.

Register to read and stop by any DCL location to collect prizes and reading logs starting June 6.

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.

All is calm, all is bright in the sparkling Forest of Stories exhibit of book-themed, decorated trees.

The ornaments on the Amigurumi tree in Castle Rock were hand-crafted by library staff members.

Wonder and magic at the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom tree.

Death on the Nile comes to life with Poirot at the center of the mystery.

A tree that reminds us that reading is joyful, silly, and full of heart. This tree celebrates the beloved worlds of author Mo Willems.

From one planet to another, imagination and The Little Prince tree full of stars.

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.

Ben Franklin Academy students received their big check in the school library, something they clap and cheer for.

CALF Director of Operations Elizabeth Hoffner said the $1,000 award will be used to continue their agriculture education curriculum, and to inspire curiosity and understanding about where food comes from.

Mountain Ridge Middle School Librarian Alicia D’Antonio said the prize money will be used for more books, to keep her readers happy.

Roxborough Primary Librarian Molly Whitehair strives to help students see reading as a rewarding and enjoyable activity, and to help them find books that align with their passions.

ThunderRidge High School students had fun accepting their big check as repeat winners at the high school level.

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.

Library volunteer Chris Brannock (foreground, seated second from left) supports staff and attendees at DCL’s Sensory Storytime in Highlands Ranch.

Volunteer Chris Brannock helped Sensory Storytime attendee Christopher become an official volunteer for the weekly program.

DCL staff celebrated Chris Brannock and her Volunteer of the Year Award at a Sensory Storytime in late August.