For immediate release: January 31, 2019

Douglas County Libraries has added Memory Care Kits to its collection of nontraditional items that library cardholders can check out. The self-contained kits are designed to engage individuals with memory-related issues and their caregivers, and include books, DVDs, puzzles, games and more.

Memory care is an important issue across the country. According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2018 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, “Millions of Americans have Alzheimer’s or other dementias. As the size and proportion of the U.S. population age 65 and older continue to increase, the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s or other dementias will grow. This number will escalate rapidly in coming years, as the population of Americans age 65 and older is projected to grow from 53 million in 2018 to 88 million by 2050. The baby boom generation has already begun to reach age 65 and beyond, the age range of greatest risk of Alzheimer’s; in fact, the oldest members of the baby boom generation turned age 72 in 2018.”

In Douglas County specifically, 11.1 percent of the population is age 65 or older, which translates to 38,469 citizens. (Source: DemographicsNOW database, Mature Market comparison report 2018A, as of Jan. 31, 2019)

Douglas County Libraries’ Operations Director Sheila Kerber said, “The Memory Care Kits are designed to trigger special memories of life experiences and encourage positive interactions between those affected by memory issues and their caregivers.”

The kits include an assortment of books, DVDs, books on CD, and hands-on activities such as puzzles and games that can help spark conversations and make reminiscing fun, despite any age or generational gaps that might otherwise make communication difficult between caregivers and those with memory issues.

“Each DCL kit is unique, with different resources in each one so caregivers have the opportunity to provide varied experiences for the people in their care,” Kerber said.

Books for caregivers are also included in the kits.

Each Memory Care Kit is self-contained within a sturdy canvas bag and can be checked out for three weeks at a time. The kits are a free resource available through the library’s holds service.

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.

For immediate release: January 16, 2019

Douglas County Libraries Introduces Aaptiv Audio-Guided Workouts

The new year brings new active workout options for Douglas County Libraries cardholders. Through Douglas County Libraries’ new partnership with Aaptiv, the #1 audio-based fitness app on the Apple App Store, cardholders can now access trainer-led, music-driven audio workouts for free. Douglas County Libraries is currently the only library in the nation to offer Aaptiv.

Patrons look to public libraries to meet a variety of needs, including entertainment and informational fulfillment. With Aaptiv, Douglas County Libraries gives patrons one more way to use their library, especially at a time when resolutions are made to save money and get fit.

“Douglas County Libraries is about giving the community free access to premium products and services that enhance their lives,” said Collection Development Librarian Andrea Wyant. “The county is full of active people who have access to some of the most beautiful outdoor surroundings in the nation, as well as top-notch rec centers and fitness clubs. This 100-percent audio product complements all of that.”

Aaptiv provides audio fitness classes, guided by expert trainers, that let people make the most of their workouts—at home, the gym, or outdoors. Membership provides unlimited access to more than 2,500 workouts in 13 categories, including running, strength, boxing, yoga, indoor cycling, cardio machines, and meditation.

Every class features inspiring music by well-known artists, so members can move to the music they love. Programs help members prepare for races from 5K to marathon, improve strength or flexibility, lose weight, or reduce stress, while powerful filters let them find perfect workouts by trainer, duration, music genre, or intensity.

Wyant said she was looking to add a fitness app to the library’s digital collection and liked the ratings and reviews Aaptiv received. After trying out the product herself, she reached out to the company. “They were really responsive to our needs as a library, like authentication with library cards,” she said.

Douglas County Libraries cardholders get unlimited access to Aaptiv for three months, for free. Subscriptions are limited.

To learn more or to get started with Aaptiv, visit DCL.org/library-perks or call 303-791-7323.

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

 

For immediate release: December 10, 2018

Douglas County Libraries in Castle Pines, 360 Village Square Lane, recently delivered a fun surprise for its youngest patrons — the Little Letters Post Office. Located in the children’s area of the library, the interactive playscape invites kids to use imaginative play in the learning process.

Little Letters Post Office is a museum-quality installation that features playful facets of a real-life post office. Kids can act out the different aspects of mail processing and delivery from both the postal worker and consumer end using their imaginations and provided play materials, equipment and devices.

Children can create mail and packages at the supplies table and then bring them to the service counter where they “pay” for their shipments. They can also dress up in provided postal employee uniforms to accept packages and mail, weigh the items, ring them up on the cash register, place them on the conveyor belt, and sort them into mail slots.

The play environment also includes a standalone mail truck where kids can get behind the wheel and “drive” to deliver mail.

“Kids learn best through play, and Little Letters provides endless chances for that,” said DCL’s Castle Pines Branch Manager Kate Prestwood. “This playscape was installed on November 26 and by that afternoon, kids were already around the letter-writing table, addressing envelopes, and then ‘paying’ for them at the counter. It was amazing how they figured it out immediately.”

The Castle Pines library is the latest DCL location to install this type of self-guided play environment. The Highlands Ranch branch features The Market and Lone Tree offers the Playful Pets animal clinic and grooming spa.

“The playscapes at Douglas County Libraries are designed to give children a break from technology and get them back to imaginative play,” said Jaime Gotlieb, branch manager at DCL’s Castle Rock, Philip S. Miller, location. “In Castle Pines, kids can create what playing Post Office means to them. We offer the pieces, and they show us how they want to use them. There is no right way to play.”

According to Castle Pines’ Prestwood, Little Letters has been very well received. “Seating is provided around the playscape so parents can sit and watch their kids interact and also engage with them as the kids ask how to spell new words for their letters or in which corner to place the stamp,” she said. 

The library held a stamp design contest to commemorate the opening of its Little Letters Post Office. Six winning designs, created by children in the community, were chosen to be the featured play stamps that kids can place on their mail pieces.

Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection. For more information, visit DCL.org or call 303-791-7323.

For immediate release: December 4, 2018

Douglas County Libraries (DCL) is renovating its Highlands Ranch, James H. LaRue, library to better serve Highlands Ranch residents and the growing community. Starting Wednesday, December 19, 2018, through March 31, 2019, the library will be closed for renovations; however, limited services will be available during the main building closure.

Building updates, which are based on community feedback, will be implemented by Fransen Pittman General Contractors of Englewood, Colo., and OPN Architects of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Once complete, the renovated library will better serve the community through:

• Increased square footage for public use.
• Additional space for families and tutoring.
• Larger civic, event and kids’ spaces.
• Technology borrowing through a Tech It Out kiosk.
• New shelving and reorganized collections for better browsing.
• Improved outdoor experiences, including a shade structure on the second-floor deck overlooking Civic Green Park.
• And more.

“The library is a lovely place, but right now it doesn’t function as well as it could for some things, like Storytime,” said DCL’s Highlands Ranch Branch Manager Tammy Clausen. “This project will fix that by expanding the children’s area to accommodate our Storytime crowds. It will also expand the space for families and the full second floor for adults. It will increase the amount of public space, so patrons will see parts of the library they’ve never seen before. Everyone will find their spot within the library.”

The drive-up book return, which was updated in November to accommodate full-size cars, will remain open throughout the renovation project. Limited services, such as holds pickup (including Book Club Express and Interlibrary Loan), returns, and very limited browsing, will also be available during the main building closure: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday.

Clausen said DCL purposely chose the winter months for the renovation because it impacts the least amount of people. “Summer is our busiest time and kids count on the Summer Reading Program,” she said, adding that people in Highlands Ranch will still be able to access library materials through DCL.org and holds pickup, or by visiting other DCL locations.

Beginning January 2-March 29, 2019, the library’s morning Storytimes will be held Monday-Friday at the Recreation Center at Westridge (9650 Foothills Canyon Blvd., Highlands Ranch, 80129). There will be no Storytime on Wednesday evenings or Saturday mornings during the closure, and no Storytime at all on Wednesday, March 20, 2019. More information about Storytime at Highlands Ranch as well as other DCL locations can be found at DCL.org/storytime.

The updated library will retain features that are important to the community, including the Second Chapter Used Bookstore, an updated commemorative book wall, and the Veterans’ display case.

According to Clausen, “There will be no reduction in the library’s collection. In fact, we will get to reopen the branch with a bunch of new materials.”

DCL in Highlands Ranch is scheduled to reopen on Monday, April 1, 2019. For more information on the library renovation project, including architectural renderings, visit DCL.org/renovations or call 303-791-7323.

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