For immediate release: May 20, 2025

Registration is open for bookworms of all ages.

Douglas County Libraries is buzzing with excitement as its annual Summer Reading celebration returns. Don’t Bug Me, I’m Reading invites readers of all ages to turn the page on adventure, discovery and community impact May 31-July 31. Registration is open at DCL.org/summer-reading, with the official kickoff on Saturday, May 31.

All registered participants will be entered into Bug Out of Town prize drawings for a $500 Southwest Airlines gift card. Three winners will be drawn in August. Participants also receive other prizes for signing up, like discounted Colorado Rapids and Colorado Rockies tickets for select games, plus reading logs and a special, limited-edition gift at a May 31 kickoff, while supplies last. The special gift is available only on May 31 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at any DCL location. Finishing prizes are available beginning June 2, while supplies last.

Summer Reading includes a number of bug-themed programs and events for all ages, including Outdoor Movie Night on the Aloha Plaza East at DCL’s Castle Rock location on Saturday, June 21. Guests will enjoy crafts, popcorn, beverages and an outdoor screening of Bee Movie (PG), sponsored by Aloha Fund.

Douglas County K-12 students can help their schools earn a $500 prize just by signing up to read. The schools at each level with the most sign-ups receive the prize donation courtesy of Douglas County Libraries Foundation.

Don’t Bug Me, I’m Reading participants of all ages can also log their reading time to help meet this year’s community goal of 10 million minutes read. If the goal is met, Douglas County Libraries Foundation will donate $1,000 to the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Foundation, a Castle Rock nonprofit whose mission is to connect people of all ages and abilities to agriculture through educational programs, community projects, and leadership opportunities.

Visit DCL.org/summer-reading to learn more and register for Summer Reading and related programs and events.

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

Register the whole family for summer reading fun.

Reading for fun is all the buzz this summer.

Don't Bug Me, I'm Reading kicks off May 31 with a special prize pickup kickoff at all locations.

Register to read and stop by any DCL location to collect prizes and reading logs on May 31.

Summer reading offers giveaways, bug-themed programs, a community reading challenge, friendly school contest, and more.

For immediate release: April 28, 2025

Douglas County Libraries is commemorating the 60th anniversary of one of the region’s most significant natural disasters with a powerful new exhibit, From the Archives: Remembering the 1965 Flood, 60 Years Later. The exhibit is on display April 28-May 27 at DCL’s Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree and Parker locations.

Curated by the library’s Archives & Local History department, this freestanding exhibit brings the past to life with dramatic photographs, a detailed event timeline, and firsthand accounts of the catastrophic flood. The display offers a compelling and immersive look at the power of water, the community’s remarkable resilience, and the long-term changes that followed in the flood’s wake.

Visitors are invited to explore this free exhibit, on display for a short time at libraries in Castle Rock (100 S. Wilcox Street), Highlands Ranch (9292 S. Ridgeline Blvd.), Lone Tree (10055 Library Way) and Parker (20105 East Mainstreet). Open during normal library operating hours, and no registration required. Visit DCL.org/flood for more information.

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

Looking west over the washed-out bridge at Wolfensberger. A Circle K now sits on the site of the former Skelly gas station (right). In the distance to the left is the Castle Rock Cemetery.

Damage and debris in Castle Rock, approximately where Yolanda’s Tacos and Dazbog Coffee are today.

Looking north from Plum Creek. Flood waters destroyed the bridge at Wolfensberger and carved out the landscape.

Destruction further south on Plum Creek. This area appears to be south of the Park Street overpass that becomes 5th Street.

For immediate release: March 4, 2025

New children’s playscapes at Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree locations spark creativity.

Douglas County Libraries is thrilled to introduce two new interactive play spaces designed to spark imaginative play and hands-on learning for kids. Young guests can step into the roles of veterinarians at Healthy Critters Vet Clinic in Highlands Ranch (9292 S. Ridgeline Blvd.), and imagine life as bankers, cashiers, and savvy shoppers at Little Savers Bank and Market in Lone Tree (10055 Library Way). These immersive, themed spaces provide endless opportunities for fun, discovery and skill-building, reinforcing DCL’s commitment to inspiring young minds.

“Our playscapes are an essential part of our approach to early literacy, using imaginative play to spark integrated cognitive, physical, social and emotional learning for young children,” said Amy Fischer, Director of Customer Experience at Douglas County Libraries.

Highlands Ranch’s Healthy Critters Vet Clinic, sponsored by PetVet 365 Highlands Ranch, is the perfect place for kids to explore the fascinating world of veterinary care for creatures great and small. Young vets can don lab coats and stethoscopes to check in plushie pet patients, complete examinations using play instruments, diagnose patients at the X-ray station and light box, groom a horse’s mane and tail, and more.

In Lone Tree, the Little Savers Bank and Market, sponsored by Bellco Credit Union, offers an ideal space for kids to discover hidden treasures in safe deposit boxes, receive deposits at the teller window, explore the wonders of a pneumatic tube, play vault Plinko, learn about balancing using tabletop scales, ring up transactions at the market register, and more, blending fun with early financial literacy through play.

According to Fischer, the library’s playscapes help young children build neurological pathways to support their ability to understand the world around them and be ready to read and learn.

Six Douglas County Libraries locations, including Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree, offer self-guided play environments for children. Other playscapes include Little Letters Post Office in Castle Pines, The Ranch in Castle Rock, sponsored by Rotary Club of Castle Rock, Plants and Pollinators in Parker, sponsored by Tagawa Gardens, and Mission Control in Roxborough. Each play area is open during library operating hours.

Visit DCL.org and DCL.org/locations for more information.

Bellco is federally insured by NCUA.

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

Little vets can examine plushie pets and study X-rays at the light box.

Caring for pets, even plushies, is a calling.

A veterinarian in training explores the world of pet care in Highlands Ranch.

An aspiring banker secures hidden treasures in the colorful safe deposit box.

A teller in training rings in transactions.

Tabletop scales offer an excellent lesson in balancing.

Kids delight in imaginative play at Little Savers Bank and Market.

Exploring the wonders of a classic bank tool, the pneumatic tube.

For immediate release: November 25, 2024

175 book-themed, decorated trees light up Douglas County Libraries

Douglas County Libraries is adding magic to the holidays with Forest of Stories, a sparkling display of more than 175 book-themed, decorated trees across all seven library locations in Castle Pines, Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Louviers, Parker and Roxborough. The seasonal exhibit, presented by Douglas County Libraries Foundation, is free and open during library operating hours through January 4, 2025, no ticket or registration required.

“This is my favorite event of the year and it’s accessible to all throughout the holidays, rather than just happening on one day or evening,” said Elaine McCain, Chair of Douglas County Libraries Foundation, the presenting sponsor of the exhibit.

“More trees than ever are on display this year. Whatever your favorite theme is, you are sure to find it in our forest,” said McCain.

This year, the library is excited to also partner with Mix 100 for special in-library events with live readings from radio personalities among Forest of Stories, as well as prizes and giveaways. Jeremy from Mix 100 will be at the Highlands Ranch library (9292 S. Ridgeline Blvd.) with giveaways and a reading from “Clifford’s Christmas” at the next event on Saturday, December 7, from 11 a.m.-Noon.

Families looking for kid-friendly entertainment and tree-peeping opportunities during the holidays and winter break can find something different to enjoy at every location.

Forest of Stories is part of DCL’s popular Booked for the Holidays event offerings, providing festive holiday entertainment options for families and the entire community throughout the season.

For more information on Forest of Stories and the trees at each library location, visit DCL.org/forest-of-stories.

For more information on Douglas County Libraries Foundation, visit DCL.org/foundation.

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

Katy from Mix 100 appeared at the Parker library November 16 with holiday giveaways and a special reading from “The Little Prince.”

See the tree dedicated to the ghost with the most, on exhibit at Douglas County Libraries in Parker.

An epic rivalry meets festive flair. See the Godzilla vs. Kong tree at Douglas County Libraries’ Castle Rock location.

So many trees, so much wonder to experience.

The secret’s out, Forest of Stories is now open. Peep the Wicked tree at Douglas County Libraries in Castle Rock.

For immediate release: November 13, 2024

Sculptures are being installed on the library’s Aloha Plaza East.

Douglas County Libraries is excited to announce the installation of vibrant new public art at its Castle Rock location (100 S. Wilcox Street). The playful pieces will add a fresh burst of creativity to the library’s outdoor Aloha Plaza East. Designed by Jeffie Brewer of Nacogdoches, Texas, the whimsical sculptures serve as an inviting focal point for visitors to enjoy while reading or relaxing on the plaza.

The new additions to the Aloha Plaza East reflect DCL’s commitment to elevating library users’ experience and creating moments of inspiration and discovery for those who visit.

The public artwork will be accessible beginning November 13, and all community members are encouraged to visit, snap photos, and experience it up close.

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

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

Each new sculpture on the Aloha Plaza East was designed by Jeffie Brewer of Nacogdoches, Texas.

Playful new sculptures add a burst of creativity to the Aloha Plaza East.

Visitors are encouraged to visit, snap photos, and experience the sculptures up close.

The library's whimsical sculptures offer an inviting focal point for visitors to enjoy on the Aloha Plaza East.