Published by Douglas County Colorado on April 17, 2020:

Douglas County today revealed a framework for reopening the County’s economy, developed in collaboration with the Tri-County Health Department, who applauded the approach for accentuating the need to pair the plan with an effective public health strategy.

The Douglas County framework includes five key principles that inform the three-phased plan:

• Access to effective and efficient antibody testing methods
• Recommended individual use of non-medical face-coverings in public settings
• Close and constant collaboration with hospitals
• Support for personal responsibility (social distancing and other preventive actions) including supports for high risk populations to remain in safe environments; and
• Review of business conditions, return to work, and other community influences

With each phase of the plan, the framework requires attention to improving measures of the epidemic and maintenance of core public health efforts, as well as substantial compliance with the principle factors in order to move to the next phase.

“This collaborative approach to local governance is a great model for the road to recovery and I look forward to continued partnership with Douglas County officials on this solution which promotes economic recovery while assuring appropriate public health measures and progress,” said Dr. Douglas.

“There has never been a more important moment in our state’s history for counties, municipalities and local health departments to engage in a consistent, unified approach, working in consultation with the Governor and CDPHE, on the framework for Colorado’s recovery from this pandemic,” said Roger Partridge, County Commissioner and Board Chair, on behalf of the Board.

For immediate release: March 17, 2020

Douglas County Libraries (DCL) has been closely monitoring information from local, state and federal authorities about the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its impact on our communities. At this time, DCL has made the difficult but necessary decision to close all of its libraries, effective Tuesday, March 17, until further notice, in addition to canceling, postponing and/or rescheduling all public events and space reservations.

DCL takes great pride in being open to all and being a place where the community can explore, learn, gather and celebrate, but also wants to ensure that staff and the community remain safe and well.

While DCL’s physical libraries are closed, customers can take advantage of the following resources and accommodations:

• DCL’s digital library is always open—and it’s been enhanced to accommodate more digital checkouts and less wait time. Check out e-books; audiobooks; downloadable magazines; movies, TV and kids videos; and music.
• Customers may Skip the Line on OverDrive and through the Libby app for instant checkout of items, similar to the library’s Your Lucky Day items in the branches.
• A variety of digital library perks are available, from audio-guided workouts, to crafting classes, to online learning and more.
• Those who do not currently have a DCL library card can get instant access to the digital collection with a digital library card through OverDrive’s Instant Digital Card and Hoopla’s Engage.
• Virtual Storytime is available through Storyblocks, a project of Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy (CLEL).

What else to know:

• DCL will waive fines and/or extend due dates on physical items checked out.
• Book donations will not be accepted during the closure.
• Prospector and Interlibrary Loan will be unavailable as most other library systems are also closed.
• All DCL book drops are closed. Customers may hold onto their library materials. No current checkouts will come due, and no fines will accrue during the closure.
• Current holds in DCL’s system will not
• Materials Request and Book Club Express kits will be unavailable. Current items/kits that are checked out will not come due or accrue fines during the closure.
• DCL has increased cleaning and disinfection throughout the libraries, which will continue until advised that COVID-19 is no longer a potential threat.

DCL will post ongoing updates to its Community Safety Notice online and through its social media channels. See the library’s online Events Calendar to check the status of rescheduled events.

The closure of DCL libraries is based on guidance from health officials about limiting gatherings and employing social distancing. For more information, visit the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment or call (303) 389-1687.

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

For immediate release: March 2, 2020

Douglas County Libraries in Roxborough (8357 N. Rampart Range Rd. #200) recently launched its new Mission Control playscape, offering kids an out of this world play experience! Located in the children’s area of the library, the interactive playscape invites kids to explore, discover and soar using their imaginations.

Mission Control is a museum-quality installation that features a standalone rocket and other playful facets of a mission control room. Kids can dress up in spacesuits, climb aboard the rocket, run a “systems check,” and prepare for blast-off using their imaginations and the provided play materials, equipment and devices.

“I’m impressed with how busy Mission Control has been in the short time since its installation. There’s an almost constant countdown going on, ‘10, 9, 8, …’” said Roxborough Branch Manager Amy Fischer. “The aerospace industry is such a big part of the heritage of our Roxborough community, and this fits right in with the families who visit our branch, those working in aerospace and other STEM industries.”

For kids, it’s an exciting addition to the children’s offerings at the library.

“It’s a rocketship! Oh, wow!” exclaimed one child, running into the library.

“Those aren’t astronauts, they’re aliens!” shrieked another child.

“Roxborough, we have a problem …” said another.

“There is no right way to play,” said Jaime Gotlieb, interim branch manager lead with Douglas County Libraries. “The playscapes at Douglas County Libraries give children a break from technology and get them back to free play. In Roxborough, kids can create what playing ‘astronaut’ means to them. We offer the pieces, and they show us how they want to use them.”

The Roxborough library is the latest branch of Douglas County Libraries to install this type of self-guided play environment. The Castle Pines branch is home to the Little Letters Post Office, Highlands Ranch features The Market, and Lone Tree offers the Playful Pets animal clinic and grooming spa.

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

For immediate release: February 25, 2020

While many Denver-area summer camps are already near capacity, opportunities abound at Camp DCL! Douglas County Libraries (DCL) is offering a variety of enriching camps all summer, June 1-July 31, at six locations—Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Parker, and Roxborough. Registration for the weeklong camps is open at DCL.org/camp-dcl.

The library’s summer camps give kids ages 5-12 rich learning experiences through a variety of hands-on activities. Campers can explore cooking and baking, coding and programming, experiments in science, art through a variety of mediums, and LEGO building adventures. They’ll not only have a great time, but they’ll also learn new skills, share experiences with new friends, gain confidence, and more!

Parents have the flexibility to choose from half-day camps or full-day camps (at a 10% discount) at select DCL locations. Half-day camps are offered in morning and afternoon sessions, and full-day camps take place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. All camps are facilitated by subject matter experts, and are supported by trained DCL staff and volunteers.

“We’re really proud of the options we offer parents, from the variety of camp subjects and convenient locations to the staff/counselor-to-campers ratio,” said DCL Special Events Coordinator Kristen Kallio. “We want every camper to have a great experience while learning new skills and also having fun.”

While Camp DCL is budget-friendly for families, scholarships may be available from the Douglas County Libraries Foundation for qualified campers.

To register for Camp DCL or to learn more about the summer camps and scholarship opportunities, visit DCL.org/camp-dcl.

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

For immediate release: February 12, 2020

Douglas County Libraries is pleased to present its second Human Library event Saturday, February 29, 1 p.m., at its Castle Rock location (100 S. Wilcox St.). This year’s Human Library features 15 “human books” that can be checked out for candid, personal conversations about unique life experiences.

The human books are members of the Douglas County community who will share their compelling stories, including stories of survival, experiencing judgment or prejudice, and learning to appreciate the present.

“The Human Library makes it easy to start a dialogue and create understanding among community members with different life experiences. Our human books and the people who sit with them one-on-one can share and better understand those diverse experiences,” said Douglas County Libraries Adult Literacy Specialist Tiffany Curtin.

The books for this event were chosen not only for their stories, but also for their willingness to talk candidly with “readers” about them. Readers can “check out” titles such as Aspie Girl, Caregiver, Tiger Mom Turned Youth Advocate, Rocket Scientist, Cocaine Addiction, Search and Rescue, 9/11 Survivor, Service Dog, Homeschooler, Youth Illness, Immigrant, Early Marriage, Homeless, Sustainable Living, and Cancer Survivor. The books will speak only to their own experiences and do not seek to represent others with similar life experiences.

The human books may be reserved for 20-minute, one-on-one sessions; pairs (friends, couples or other related pairs) may attend the same private session. Registration is recommended at DCL.org or (303) 791-7323. Readers who register in advance of the event will be contacted by library staff to schedule a preferred time and book choice.

In the event of a weather-related library closure on February 29, the Human Library will take place on Saturday, March 7, at 1 p.m.

For more information, visit DCL.org or call (303) 791-7323.

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

DCL invites the community to have a great summer reading and enjoying fun activities through its Splash Into Summer reading program for all ages!