For immediate release: November 21, 2019

Douglas County Libraries (DCL) and the DCL Foundation invite the Douglas County community to help fund the future of vital library programs and services that reach youth, adults and families in the county and beyond by donating to the Foundation on Colorado Gives Day, Tuesday, December 10.

Colorado Gives Day is a statewide movement that celebrates philanthropy through one amazing day of online giving. Thanks to Community First Foundation, FirstBank, and other community partners, this day of giving boasts a $1.5 million incentive fund, one of the largest in the country. That means that every nonprofit receiving a donation on Colorado Gives Day, including the DCL Foundation, also receives a portion of the incentive fund—which increases the value of every dollar donated.

For the DCL Foundation, donations are vital for supporting adult literacy programs and ESL tutoring; Operation Paperback; early literacy programs like Cuddle Up & Read; and scholarships for adults in the high school equivalency test prep program and for kids attending Camp DCL, among other programs and services.

Joan VanArsdale was able to send her daughter to Camp DCL’s Cooking Network camp this year on a Foundation scholarship. “Being a single mom, I don’t have the income that I would like to give her all the camps and all the things she would like. So this really gave her the opportunity to do something that she otherwise wouldn’t be able to do,” said VanArsdale.

This year, the Foundation awarded 17 Camp DCL scholarships, giving those families the opportunity to focus on other responsibilities without depriving their children the chance to expand their world. Since Camp DCL’s inception in 2017 more than 40 scholarships have been awarded to qualifying kids.

To schedule a donation to the DCL Foundation for December 10, visit DCL.org/donate. To learn more about the Foundation, visit DCL.org/foundation.

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

Adult literacy programs like ESL tutoring provide a pathway for adults in our community to develop their English literacy skills and thrive.

Camp DCL scholarships help kids ages 5-12 to grow, make new friends, gain confidence, and feel like every other kid.

Cuddle Up & Read provides new parents with a meaningful introduction to the library and its early literacy services.

The DCL Foundation provides scholarships for adults completing their high school equivalency testing, enabling them to achieve their high school graduation goals.

For immediate release: November 12, 2019

Nichole Walters began volunteering for Douglas County Libraries (DCL) at its Highlands Ranch location in 2014. DCL is proud to announce that Walters was recently honored with the 2019 Outstanding Library Volunteer award from the Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL) at its annual conference in Loveland.

CAL’s Outstanding Volunteer award recognizes a current library volunteer who has provided exemplary service over a span of several years. Nominees are evaluated based on their length of service with a library, the impact of their efforts on library staff and users, and the uniqueness of their contributions.

According to Highlands Ranch Branch Volunteer Coordinator Kim McClintock, Walters is well deserving of this award.

“Nichole is always among the first to offer her help,” said McClintock. “She has super-human stamina and is dauntless in the face of obstacles no matter how insurmountable they may seem. She does it all with a quiet dedication that touches lives but seeks no credit or recognition.”

When Walters first started volunteering at DCL, she helped with the Summer Reading Program, the library’s Simple Science series, Movin’ & Groovin’ Storytimes, the Technology Fair, and prepared crafts for library events. Her huge heart and giving spirit soon led her to become a lead volunteer with DCL’s Homebound Delivery program, which delivers library materials to those in the community who are unable to visit the library in person due to illness or injury.

“I love working with the staff at Douglas County Libraries to help support the programs and resources that are available at all of our libraries,” said Walters. “I especially love to deliver books to my homebound patrons. We share a passion for learning and literature, and I am grateful that I can provide materials to them through DCL.”

In 2018, Walters was also instrumental in processing donated materials for online sales through the library’s used book storefront on Amazon. And when the Highlands Ranch branch closed for renovations in late 2018-early 2019, Walters drove 42 miles roundtrip weekly for nearly six months to continue the operation out of another DCL location.

In addition, Walters’ volunteer efforts have helped support the DCL Foundation, which provides Camp DCL scholarships for qualified kids ages 5-12, as well as literacy-based programs like Cuddle Up & Read, which introduces new parents to the library’s early literacy services.

“We are truly honored to have Nichole as a DCL volunteer!” said McClintock.

For information on volunteering at DCL and available opportunities, visit DCL.org/volunteer or volunteerconnectdc.org.

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

DCL volunteer Nichole Walters was honored as the Outstanding Library Volunteer during the annual awards luncheon at CALCON 2019.

For immediate release: October 24, 2019

Douglas County Libraries (DCL) and the DCL Foundation are proud to serve U.S. service members and their families with book donations through Operation Paperback, a national nonprofit organization. Since the program’s inception at DCL in 2014, more than 2,500 books of all genres have been donated to military members stateside and overseas. So far this year, 430 books have been donated.

The program is administered through DCL’s Lone Tree location by Branch Volunteer Coordinator Teresa LeFevre and library volunteers. Gently used paperbacks that are donated to the library and/or withdrawn from DCL’s collection are considered for Operation Paperback based on soldiers’ requests. According to LeFevre, volunteers are vital to the program, as is the DCL Foundation, which funds the mailing costs associated with it.

Lone Tree volunteer Jill Potter spends time each month packaging five to six boxes of books to be sent to service members. “If not for Jill, we would not be able to serve that population like we do,” LeFevre said.

Each month, volunteers review Operation Paperback’s list of books desired by soldiers and their families to determine which requests DCL can fill using the donated and withdrawn books available. The books are then packaged by Potter and mailed by LeFevre.

“The reach and purpose of this program is far and wide and so worthwhile,” said LeFevre. “I am thankful we have the ability and resources to contribute reading materials to our military personnel around the globe.”

All gently used paperback books donated at DCL’s Lone Tree location (10055 Library Way) are considered for Operation Paperback based on soldiers’ requests, DCL’s inventory, and what the library is able to send each month. Questions about the program may be directed to Teresa LeFevre at (303) 791-7323.

Veterans Day Celebration

In partnership with Highlands Ranch Metro District, DCL is hosting a Veterans Day Celebration at its Highlands Ranch location (9292 S. Ridgeline Blvd.) on Monday, November 11, from 6:30-8 p.m. The event is open to the public and no registration is required.

Human Book Volunteers Needed

Last year, veteran Jim Pierce volunteered as a “human book” at DCL’s Human Library event and shared his story of being drafted into the Vietnam War. DCL is again seeking human books with various life experiences for its 2020 Human Library event. Community members interested in sharing their stories are encouraged to apply by November 30, 2019. Applications are available at DCL.org/volunteer.

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

For immediate release: September 17, 2019

Douglas County Libraries (DCL) and the Douglas County Libraries Foundation were thrilled to present donations earlier this month to two Douglas County schools that drove the library’s Great Summer Reading Road Trip to fundraising success! The donations were made possible by the community’s participation in a friendly fundraising competition among schools as part of DCL’s road trip-inspired Summer Reading Program.

The elementary, middle and high school with the most summer reading sign-ups through July 31 were each awarded $250 toward their school’s 2019-2020 fundraising goals. Ben Franklin Academy in Highlands Ranch was a repeat winner in the elementary school category, and Ascent Classical Academy in Lone Tree had the most sign-ups among both middle and high schools.

“We’re so proud of our kids for reading over the summer. They have come back to school this year ready to learn without suffering from the ‘summer slump’ that they sometimes experience,” said Ben Franklin Academy Principal Diana Simpson.

Simpson said the winnings will be used to purchase new books for the school’s library.

According to Ascent Classical Academy Principal Dr. Don Griffin, the middle and high schools’ combined winnings will be used to purchase media resources as well, including print and visual resources.

“The students enjoyed the entire activity and were really motivated to do this over the summer,” Griffin said.

DCL’s annual Summer Reading Program encourages reading from a young age and keeps kids reading during school breaks, so they grow up with a strong foundation in literacy. Texas Roadhouse and the Colorado Rapids partnered with DCL to provide sign-up prizes this year.

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

Ben Franklin Academy fourth-graders, with Librarian Deb Williams (back row, left) and Principal Diana Simpson (back row, right), received their $250 prize in the school's library.

Ascent Classical Academy student representatives and Principal Dr. Don Griffin accepted their summer reading contest winnings in front of their school in Lone Tree.

For immediate release: September 9, 2019

Real people with real stories and issues, that is what the Human Library is about. Douglas County Libraries (DCL) is thrilled to bring the popular Human Library back to its Castle Rock location in 2020 and is currently recruiting new “human books” for the event.

DCL is seeking community members who have personal stories to tell and who would like to connect with their neighbors through an afternoon of brief in-person conversations focused around specific life experiences.

“The library is providing this forum for members of our increasingly diverse community to interact through open and respectful dialogue in a safe, comfortable setting,” said DCL’s Adult Literacy Specialist Tiffany Curtin.

Jim Pierce shared his story of being drafted into the Vietnam War at DCL’s inaugural event in 2018. “I had an adventure that I will remember for my lifetime,” he said of his experience as a human book. “The readers were fantastic with the questions they asked and their enthusiasm. The venue was well-planned and flawlessly executed. What an experience!”

To apply as a “human book,” visit DCL.org/volunteer. Applications are due by November 30, 2019. All who apply will be interviewed by DCL staff and if accepted will receive training to prepare for the library event. The Human Library event will take place February 29, 2020.

For more information, email HumanLibraryDCL@dclibraries.org, visit DCL.org, or call Tiffany Curtin at (303) 688-7646.

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

At the heart of the Human Library is thoughtful, two-way dialogue about unique life experiences.

At the heart of the Human Library is thoughtful, two-way dialogue about unique life experiences.

A “human book” at last year’s event shared her unique story with various readers in a relaxed setting.

Library staff and volunteers assist readers with checking out human books in 2018.