For immediate release: December 1, 2020

Douglas County Libraries (DCL) reached a record-breaking number of digital book checkouts in 2020, surpassing the 1 million mark in November. This milestone highlights the continued growth and importance of the library’s digital lending of e-books and audiobooks, especially in a year that included building closures due to the global pandemic.

“Our senior leadership team saw a need unlike any we’ve ever seen for digital materials this year, and they responded with funding to meet the demands of our community,” said DCL Collection Development Librarian Andrea Wyant.

DCL has offered 24/7 access to e-books and audiobooks through OverDrive and the Libby reading app for several years. As a result of the pandemic, DCL enhanced its digital library to accommodate more digital checkouts and less wait time, and added a Skip the Line feature for instant checkout of items similar to Your Lucky Day items in its branches.

The 1 millionth checkout in OverDrive was “The Other Einstein” by Marie Benedict, and the most popular e-book and audiobook checked out this year is “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens.

All readers need to access digital books from DCL is a valid library card, and they can use any major device, including Apple, Android, Chromebook and Kindle.

Readers may access DCL’s digital library at DCL.org/digital-media or via the library’s catalog. For information on library operating hours and safety protocols, visit DCL.org/safety-notice.

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

DCL customers checked out more than 1 million e-books and audiobooks through OverDrive in 2020, a record-breaking milestone for the library.

For immediate release: October 5, 2020

Douglas County Libraries (DCL) is pleased to offer its new Study Hall + Student Support service for middle and high school students who might be struggling with online learning. The free service, part of the DCL Learning Lab, offers dedicated space for students in grades 6-12 to work on school assignments and get help with math, language arts, and science from qualified tutors on-site.

The topic-specific Study Halls are available Monday-Thursday in morning and afternoon sessions, 8-11 a.m. or 1-4 p.m., at DCL’s Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, and Parker locations.

• Math at Castle Rock (100 S. Wilcox St.)
• Language Arts at Highlands Ranch (9292 S. Ridgeline Blvd.)
• Science at Parker (20105 East Mainstreet)

Registration is required at DCL.org/learning-lab; please schedule only one session per student per day. Space is limited to accommodate social distancing guidelines, and DCL adheres to all health guidelines and mandates regarding masks. All tables and surfaces in the rooms are sanitized during the break between sessions each day.

“We hope that these study halls and the professional tutors will help support parents and teachers who are stretched thin with the pressures of blended learning and all that it entails for schools and families,” said Kerri Morgan, DCL’s Department Head Special Events.

For more information on Study Hall + Student Support and to register for a session, visit DCL.org/learning-lab or call (303) 791-7323.

The DCL Learning Lab also offers enrichment camps for elementary students ages 5-10, with new camps available after Douglas County School District’s fall break. Visit DCL.org/learning-lab to learn more.

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

DCL’s Study Hall + Student Support service gives students in grades 6-12 dedicated library space for schoolwork plus tutoring in the subjects of math, science, and language arts.

For immediate release: September 23, 2020

Good things come to those who read, and to those who sign up to read! Douglas County Libraries and the DCL Foundation awarded $500 each to four Douglas County schools that had the most sign-ups in the library’s Splash Into Summer reading program:

• Copper Mesa Elementary School, Highlands Ranch
• Ranch View Middle School, Highlands Ranch
• Castle View High School, Castle Rock
• Leman Classical Academy, Parker

According to those schools, the funds will be used for a variety of needs.

Emily Hitchingham, Library Specialist at Copper Mesa Elementary School, said their $500 award is especially appreciated because the school had to cancel its book fair fundraiser this past spring.

“We are very proud of our CME students for sharing their summer with many wonderful books! The $500 will be utilized to purchase new library books for our students to enjoy,” said Hitchingham.

The other winning schools cite similar plans for their contest awards. Leman Classical Academy will use the award to purchase books its teachers can use, according to Bridget D’Arcy, Assistant to the Principal. Ranch View Middle School Principal Erin Kyllo said their award will be used to enhance the school library with flexible seating and additional books. Likewise, Castle View High School Librarian Jordi Owens said the school will purchase books for the library, with a focus on young adult fiction, as well as books for the school’s annual Battle of the Books competition.

“In a year of tight budgets, we are thrilled to have the extra money,” Owens said.

“Summer reading was a bit different this year, but Douglas County students did not disappoint,” said DCL Special Events Coordinator Kristen Kallio. “We love partnering with the schools to engage their students and reward them for their commitment to literacy.”

DCL’s annual Summer Reading Program encourages kids to begin reading from a young age, and keeps them reading during school breaks, so they grow up with a strong foundation in literacy. The school contest component of the program is a friendly competition among Douglas County School District-affiliated schools for fundraising dollars awarded through the DCL Foundation.

The library’s reading program returns in summer 2021. Call (303) 791-7323 or visit DCL.org to learn more.

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

For immediate release: August 4, 2020

A stocked ice cream truck visited all Douglas County Libraries (DCL) locations July 29-31 with free treats to celebrate a sweet ending to the library’s Splash Into Summer reading program. More than 2,000 ice cream treats were handed out.

“We had a blast, and everyone loved celebrating with a cold treat,” said DCL Special Events Coordinator Kristen Kallio.

Splash Into Summer wrapped up on July 31, with more than 10,000 registered participants who read for a combined 5 million minutes. To celebrate that milestone, the Douglas County Libraries Foundation donated $1,000 to the COVID-19 Recovery Fund through the Douglas County Community Foundation.

The DCL Foundation is also awarding the following four Douglas County School District-affiliated schools with $500 each for having the most sign-ups through the reading program’s School Contest.

• Elementary: Copper Mesa Elementary School, Highlands Ranch
• Middle: Ranch View Middle School, Highlands Ranch
• High: Castle View High School, Castle Rock
• Charter: Leman Classical Academy, Parker

“Our communities truly appreciated the fact that we were able to keep a regular summer tradition that they enjoy during these uncertain times,” Kallio said.

The library’s annual reading program returns next summer. Call (303) 791-7323 or visit DCL.org to learn more.

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

DCL customers enjoyed free ice cream treats in celebration of the library’s Splash Into Summer reading program.

DCL customers enjoyed free ice cream treats in celebration of the library’s Splash Into Summer reading program.

More than 2,000 ice cream treats were handed out and enjoyed at DCL locations throughout the county.

DCL customers enjoyed free ice cream treats in celebration of the library’s Splash Into Summer reading program.

For immediate release: June 27, 2020

Douglas County Libraries (DCL) will welcome back customers with its reopening on Monday, June 29, at 9 a.m. The library is opening under a variance granted by the Colorado Department of Public Health, and will operate under state and local health department guidelines for operations and events. Modified services will be available at all DCL locations during the libraries’ current operating hours, and Archives & Local History services will be available by appointment only at (303) 688-7730.

With library operations resuming, several safety precautions are in place, such as enhanced in-library cleaning and disinfecting procedures as well as systems to increase air circulation in the libraries. Other safety measures include:

• In-library modifications to facilitate social distancing
• Plexiglass partitions at public service desks
• Hand sanitizer stations at library entrances and in heavily used areas
• Disposable masks available for customers
• Increased cleaning of common areas, hard surfaces, reserved rooms, and restrooms

Though customers will be able to pick up holds inside their preferred DCL location, the library is continuing with Park & Pick-Up curbside service during operating hours. The location in parking lots for this service has changed, and there may be a longer wait for delivery due to increased library traffic. DCL is not currently accepting book donations.

Study rooms and meeting spaces will be available by reservation only with the following restrictions:

• Social distancing is required.
• Each room’s capacity is limited to 50% of fire department-stated capacity.
• Drop-in use of empty meeting and study rooms is not permitted at this time.

Virtual Storytimes will continue each weekday at 10:30 a.m., but in-person Storytimes and other library events are not available at any location. In addition, interactive features at all libraries will not be available, including the Little Letters Post Office at Castle Pines, The Market at Highlands Ranch, Playful Pets at Lone Tree, the Dino Wall at Parker, and Mission Control at Roxborough.

Visit DCL.org/safety-notice for detailed information about DCL’s reopening, modified services, and safety protocols.

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

Modifications throughout the libraries encourage social distancing.

Modifications throughout the libraries encourage social distancing.

Park & Pick-Up curbside service is still available for holds pick-up.

Digital screens prompt library customers to safeguard against the spread of COVID-19.