For immediate release August 5, 2016:

Douglas County Libraries (DCL) will host an evening with The New York Times’ bestselling author Sandra Brown at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, August 19, at its Castle Rock location (Philip S. Miller branch, 100 S. Wilcox St.). Brown will discuss and sign her latest thriller, Sting.

Brown has dominated the thriller market over the last 30 years, with over 80 million copies of her books in print worldwide. Her seductive, heart-pounding plotlines mixed with her developed, relatable characters have made her one of the best writers in the genre.

About the Author

Brown is the author of more than 65 New York Times bestsellers, including Mean Streak, Lethal, Tough Customer and Ricochet. Her work has been translated into 34 languages. In 2008, Brown was named Thriller Master by International Thriller Writers—it’s the organization’s top honor. In 2007, she received the Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature and the Romance Writers of America Lifetime Achievement Award. Brown was also the 2012 president of the Mystery Writers of America.

To register for Brown’s book talk and signing, visit DouglasCountyLibraries.org or call 303-791-7323. Books will be for sale at the event courtesy of Tattered Cover Book Store.

Douglas County Libraries is a passionate advocate for literacy and lifelong learning.

For immediate release August 3, 2016:

Douglas County Libraries (DCL) in Parker will celebrate its Grand Opening on Saturday, September 24, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The beautifully appointed new building, located at 20105 East Mainstreet, is the last of DCL’s three new locations to open—capping a successful campaign to launch dynamic new libraries and services that enhance lifelong learning.

The Grand Opening ceremony at 11 a.m. will include remarks from DCL Executive Director Bob Pasicznyuk, Parker Branch Manager Amy Long, and Town of Parker Mayor Mike Waid, as well as the hitching post dedication to Parker’s Kime family. A few other fun surprises are planned!

Prior to the library’s opening ceremony, a community bookworm will happen from 9-11 a.m. This human chain will help move the last books from the old location to the new one. Everyone in the community is invited to participate in this 0.8-mile chain, and registration is required at DouglasCountyLibraries.org/NewsEvents. We’ll use a drone to capture aerial photos and the bookworm’s progress along the route.

Once open, the library will host ongoing activities throughout the day, and light refreshments will be served. Three Storytimes are planned at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

“The Grand Opening will be an event to remember—the perfect opportunity for the community to build new memories in a more patron-friendly space,” says Branch Manager Amy Long. “We’ve added new materials to the collection, but more importantly, we’ve greatly expanded the space for patrons to sit, read, study and meet. We can’t wait to show them around!”

With nearly 42,000 square feet of space on two stories, there’s something for everyone at this library. Kids can enjoy a dedicated area for interactive play and Storytimes, all library cardholders can play (or work) in the digital creativity lab, and students and professionals can collaborate in high-tech study rooms and meeting spaces. The lounge features café-style seating and laptop vending, and the adjacent learning commons offers adults and students the space to engage in diverse learning activities. The upstairs den with fireplace offers a quiet respite from the more well-traveled areas of the building.

Patrons will also enjoy the library’s drive-through book drop and increased parking—approximately 163 spaces at the building, with more accessible in an adjoining park.

“The Parker community loves its library, but hasn’t always loved how difficult it’s been to get in and out of. We designed the new building with them in mind, providing much more parking; easier browsing of materials; nearly triple the space to sit and stay awhile; and more study rooms, meeting rooms and event space,” Long says.

The current library location will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, August 31, in preparation for the move to the new building. Storytimes during the closure will be held at the Parker Schoolhouse, 19650 E. Mainstreet, at 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, September 6-22.

Douglas County Libraries is a passionate advocate for literacy and lifelong learning. For more information, visit DouglasCountyLibraries.org.

For immediate release July 25, 2016:

Douglas County Libraries Seeks Storytellers

Douglas County Libraries is seeking volunteers to bridge the generation gap by helping children learn through oral storytelling.

Spellbinders are seasoned volunteers, ages 50 and up, who stay young at heart by telling stories to children in Douglas County schools. A four-session Spellbinders training will be held at Douglas County Libraries in Castle Rock (Philip S. Miller branch, 100 S. Wilcox St.) from 1-4 p.m. on: Tuesday, September 20; Thursday, September 22; Tuesday, September 27; and Thursday, September 29. This training will discuss the importance of storytelling and give participants many opportunities to practice telling.

No prior experience or special talent is required of these storytelling volunteers. “Stories are wonderful gifts to give children,” said Laura Olson, childhood literacy specialist for Douglas County Libraries. “As humans, we are all hard-wired to share these skills.”

Douglas County Libraries is a passionate advocate for literacy and lifelong learning. For more information or to register for Spellbinders training, contact Laura Olson at 303-791-7323 or visit DouglasCountyLibraries.org.

 

 

For immediate release June 16, 2016:

Grand Opening of Douglas County Libraries in Lone Tree Set for July 9

Douglas County Libraries (DCL) is excited to announce the highly anticipated Grand Opening of its new Lone Tree branch, located at 10055 Library Way, on Saturday, July 9, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The new library is located in the urban heart of the RidgeGate community, just east of the Lone Tree Arts Center.

Grand Opening events kick off at 9 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the branch. DCL Executive Director Bob Pasicznyuk will deliver the opening remarks, and Lone Tree Branch Manager Susan Byrne and City of Lone Tree Mayor Jackie Millet will both speak.

Patrons can tour the spacious two-story building and use its many new and upgraded amenities. Various activity stations for kids and families will be set up throughout the library, with interactive children’s Storytimes occurring at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Light snacks and treats will also be served throughout the day.

The library’s collection is growing by 40 percent to reflect its increase in square footage, from just under 10,000 square feet to about 25,000 square feet. The library includes active and interactive areas for children, like the Kids Corner Storytime space and Lite-Brite-inspired Everbright LED light grid. Other features include a number of quiet reading areas, study rooms and informal meeting spaces; a craft room that doubles as a meeting room; laptop vending using a library card; greatly expanded parking; and a drive-through book drop.

“It has been a kick to discover the new features of the library and to think of all the ways we can share them with the community,” says Branch Manager Susan Byrne. “The one constant with all of this change, though, is our people. We’re the same and our patrons are the same, and they’re really the heart of the library,” she adds.

Lone Tree is the second of DCL’s three new libraries to open. The Castle Pines location opened on April 21, and construction on the Parker branch continues to progress, with a projected opening in September.

Douglas County Libraries is a passionate advocate for literacy and lifelong learning. For more information, visit DouglasCountyLibraries.org.

For immediate release May 31, 2016.

Douglas County Libraries Construction Nearing Completion

Douglas County Libraries (DCL) in Castle Pines is now open, and construction of the new libraries in Lone Tree and Parker is progressing. The new libraries reflect each community’s unique growth and needs for increased amenities, spaces and services — and all feature drive-through book drops.

The 13,000-square-foot Castle Pines location (360 Village Square Lane) opened on April 21. The library’s dedicated children’s area features elements of surprise and fun, such as lava tiles and an interactive Lite-Brite-inspired Everbright grid of LED lights that can be twisted to create colorful designs. Its community spaces include a furnished second story terrace with fireplace and five high-tech, multi-use meeting, event and study rooms.

DCL in Lone Tree hosts its grand opening on July 9. Site work, utilities and paving/striping have been completed, and the landscaping and green roof are scheduled to be completed by mid-June. The new library is more than double the size of its current location and features expanded parking, a dedicated Kids Corner, meeting rooms and quiet spaces, numerous study rooms, and laptop vending using a library card.

On May 13, the Parker location celebrated its “topping off” — a builders’ ceremony held when the last beam is placed atop the structure during construction. Crews are currently finishing the interior drywall and are beginning to tape and paint it. Glass door sliders and ceiling tile grids are also being installed in the study rooms. The library is scheduled to open in late summer/early fall.

The current Lone Tree and Parker branches will close for about three weeks prior to each library’s grand opening. Patrons can sign up to receive email updates about closures, available services and Storytimes during closures, and library openings via DouglasCountyLibraries.org/Newsletters.

The three libraries were designed by Anderson Mason Dale Architects and Studiotrope Design Collective. To learn more, visit DouglasCountyLibraries.org and No Leaf Unturned.