For immediate release: August 5, 2022

After a successful inaugural event in 2021, Douglas County Libraries is excited to host its second annual Family Fête fundraiser benefiting Douglas County Libraries Foundation. Tickets are still available for Hansel and Gretel’s Gingerbread Cottage on Saturday, August 27, 6-9 p.m. at DCL in Lone Tree (10055 Library Way). All event proceeds directly support the DCL Foundation’s mission to positively impact community members so they can grow and thrive.

The Family Fête is a spinoff of the DCL Foundation’s annual Fête des Fables Gala fundraiser, which celebrates a different literary fable each year. This year, guests are invited to explore the tale of Hansel and Gretel through exciting activities designed for families with kids ages 4-10.

Families are encouraged to dress in costume and enjoy fun photo ops, face painting in the Witch’s Oven, a mini biergarten and pretzel tasting, live music, dancing, and performances. Other entertaining experiences will include kid-friendly crafts, a tasty make-and-take (to wear and eat), a woodland friends Stuffy Pull, and an exciting silent auction.

Each ticket includes catered food and drinks, including Bavarian-style brat sliders and mini hot dogs, French fry bar with tasty toppings, crudites, fresh fruit and berries, candy dessert bar, pretzel bar, and other treats.

Funds raised at the Family Fête and Fête des Fables Gala support scholarship programs and other library services that give back to the community, including Camp DCL, Career Online High School, Cuddle Up and Read, Operation Paperback, Children’s Hospital, and high school equivalency test prep. The DCL Foundation provided 2,200 Cuddle Up and Read packages for new parents this year, distributed through hospital partners. In 2021, the Foundation funded 21 Camp DCL scholarships, donated 500 books to Children’s Hospital, and shipped 525 books to military members and their families through Operation Paperback.

Tickets to the Family Fête are $50 per adult and $25 per child. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit DCL.org or call (303) 791-7323.

For more information on the Fête des Fables Gala for adults on Friday, October 14, at the Highlands Ranch Mansion, visit DCL.org/fete-des-fables.

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

Live music, dancing, and theatrical performances are just a few highlights of the event.

This year’s event features a Bavarian-style catered menu including a candy dessert bar and sweets galore!

Guests will enjoy an adorable Stuffy Pull, mini biergarten and pretzel tasting, plus other fun activities under the tents.

Funds raised at the Family Fête and Fête des Fables Gala support scholarships for kids who would otherwise be unable to attend Camp DCL.

DCL’s Cuddle Up and Read program offers new parents a meaningful introduction to the library and its early literacy services, supported by the DCL Foundation.

The Foundation provides financial support for important adult education programs, including high school equivalency test prep, helping adults fulfill their education goals.

For immediate release: May 5, 2022

Existing library is open during construction.

Douglas County Libraries officially broke ground on its new Castle Rock library Monday morning, May 2, at 100 S. Wilcox Street (in front of the existing library) with DCL Executive Library Director Bob Pasicznyuk, Town of Castle Rock Mayor Jason Gray, Town of Castle Rock Councilmember Tim Dietz, Douglas County Commissioner Lora Thomas, and DCL Board of Trustees members.

More than 150 people attended the community celebration that included remarks by Library Director Pasicznyuk, Mayor Gray, and Jeff Pittman of construction partner Fransen Pittman. DCL Head Archivist Alyssa Carver provided a brief history of the library, and of course a children’s construction-themed Storytime was presented, complete with hard hats. The event also included fun photo ops for children and families, crafts, coffee and waffles, and other breakfast treats.

The next stage of the building project begins in June, when concrete foundation work begins.

For more information about the new library, visit DCL.org/build.

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

Left to right: Bob Pasicznyuk, DCL Executive Library Director; Suzanne Burkholder, DCL Board Vice-President; Dawn Vaughn, DCL Board President; Terry Nolan, DCL Board Secretary; Lora Thomas, Douglas County Commissioner; Dan Danser, DCL Board Member; Jason Gray, Town of Castle Rock Mayor; Tim Dietz, Town of Castle Rock Councilmember

Families enjoyed fun photo ops with construction equipment.

DCL Executive Library Director Bob Pasicznyuk and Town of Castle Rock Mayor Jason Gray

Hard hats welcome, but not required, during construction Storytime!

For immediate release: May 4, 2022

Douglas County Libraries is excited to Unlock the Magic for Summer Reading 2022. Pre-registration for all ages is now open at DCL.org and the program officially kicks off with outdoor parties at DCL locations countywide on Saturday, June 4.

“We have lots of tricks, treats and giveaways up our sleeve this year so we hope our customers and community will join us to celebrate and have fun reading all summer long,” said DCL Special Events Supervisor Kristen Kallio.

All participants who register for Unlock the Magic Summer Reading will be entered into the library’s Days of Giveaways prize drawings in June and July, and will receive other fun sign-up and challenge prizes. Kickoff parties on June 4 will feature Kona Ice treats and snacks, fun arts and crafts, life-size games, prize-wheel activities, bubbles and sidewalk chalk, and guests from Science Matters who will create science magic; registration is required.

Kids can also participate in the friendly annual school contest for the most sign-ups and help their school earn $500, and all Unlock the Magic participants can read toward meeting DCL’s community goal of 8.5 million minutes read. If the goal is met, the Douglas County Libraries Foundation will donate $1,000 to AllHealth Network, which works to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families in the community through compassionate, integrated behavioral health services.

Register for Unlock the Magic, kickoff parties, and related summer events at DCL.org. 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.

This year's popular Summer Reading events are sure to provide magical thrills and experiences for kids.

Special guests and experiences are a staple of Summer Reading.

Summer Reading can be enjoyed in and around all DCL locations!

Yes, there will be treats! Register for Summer Reading and enjoy.

For immediate release: April 4, 2022

Douglas County Libraries is excited to start construction on a new library facility in Castle Rock. Prompted by growth in the Castle Rock community, DCL’s new library will offer added space and features to serve its Castle Rock customers well into the future. It will also equip the library’s districtwide services teams with the necessary spaces for their work.

The new facility will be built in front of the existing library at 100 S. Wilcox Street. The community is invited to a celebratory groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, May 2, at 10 a.m., which will include a light breakfast, coffee and juice, local dignitaries, photo ops, fun activities, and more.

The existing library will remain open to customers throughout the building process. Construction fences will go up in the west parking lot on Monday, April 25, and customer parking will be relocated to the south lot, in front of the adjacent retail center. The library’s front door and book drop will be accessible as usual.

The new 62,000-square-foot building will feature about 42,000 square feet of dedicated library space; approximately 220 parking spaces; drive-through book return; interactive children’s play space; study, meeting and event spaces; and more. The library will continue to house DCL’s Archives & Local History and its collections.

Construction by Fransen Pittman General Contractors of Englewood, Colo., will require 12-15 months. DCL has contracted with OPN Architects of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for library design.

The first phase of the building project kicked off on Wednesday, March 30, when the Castle Rock gazebo was lifted and relocated to the CALF Lowell Ranch three miles south. DCL donated the gazebo to the Castle Rock Band for its continued use and community enjoyment.

Visit DCL.org/build to learn more about the building project.

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

The new two-story, 62,000-square-foot library will include outdoor spaces for customer use, and will also house the district’s administrative and services teams.

The new library will feature 42,000 square feet of dedicated library space, including spaces for study, meetings, events, and interactive children's play.

The Castle Rock bandstand/gazebo was lifted and moved on March 30 as the first step in the library’s new building project.

For immediate release: February 23, 2022

Douglas County Libraries is pleased to offer free COVID-19 rapid test kits at its locations throughout the county as part of the state’s mass distribution program. The library also offers free KN95 masks to customers.

Test kits and masks, supplied by the state of Colorado, are currently available to customers from the library’s Welcome Desks at all DCL locations during regular business hours, while supplies last. Customers may receive a maximum of four test kits per person per month and a maximum of five masks per person per month, on a first-come, first-served basis. People must be present to receive the test kits and/or masks, and cannot request kits or masks for others who are not present.

DCL continues to employ safety precautions and protocols in all of its libraries so customers may enjoy comfortable reading and research/study spaces, children’s Storytime and play areas, community events, public computer stations, and meeting and event spaces, among other amenities.

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.