El Paso County residents rally around libraries ahead of decision to potentially close two branches

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Dozens of El Paso County residents pleaded with the Pikes Peak Library District Board of Trustees at their Wednesday meeting to keep all of the district’s libraries open following a proposal to close two branches.

“This is essential for our democracy and our community,” said Katherine Mack, a Colorado Springs resident who spoke to the board. “The solution to budget problems cannot be closing libraries. It just can’t be.”

HB&A Architecture and Planning — a consulting firm hired by the board in 2023 to help shape the county libraries’ futures — presented three options for financially sustaining the branches in June.

The first option maintains current funding levels but would close the Rockrimmon and Ruth Holley Libraries and cut hours at several other branches. A second proposal would increase funding to the library district, bringing it to half of the Colorado average for library districts, while expanding the busy High Prairie branch library and upgrading Sand Creek Library. 

The final option would increase funding to fully match the Colorado average and expand High Prairie to 20,000 square feet while moving the Monument Library.

Board members — who are appointed by the Colorado Springs City Council and El Paso County Board of Commissioners — appointed a consultant in 2023 to help them decide whether to increase funding for Colorado Springs libraries from its current level of less than half the statewide average.

Consultants said they made their recommendations after receiving input from 2,600 library staff and patrons from across the county. The final proposal included the possibility of closing Rockrimmon and Ruth Holley branches because patrons of both libraries had other options within 10 miles, according to records of the June meeting when the board received the recommendations. 

The board, whose seven members declined to speak with reporters, is not expected to make decisions on the matter for months, but the Pikes Peak Library Workers’ Union has used its social media accounts to protest the suggested closures and encouraged Pikes Peak-area residents to address the board at the Wednesday meeting.

“Creating library deserts across any part of town results in a lack of resources and community,” said a library employee and union member who agreed to speak with Rocky Mountain PBS under a condition of anonymity so as to not jeopardize his employment. 

“We can’t assist people in achieving their goals and reaching intellectual freedom without libraries.”

The employee said libraries provide much-needed internet and computer access to patrons who otherwise don’t have access to such technology.

“If you don’t have access to the internet, how are you going to have access to a majority of where we share info right now?” the employee said. 

Although board members did not weigh in on the closure issue beyond the comment period at their meeting, Dora Gonzalez, president of the board of trustees, thanked community members for rallying around their libraries.

“I want to thank all of you that were courageous enough to speak up for your library and for all libraries,” Gonzales said. 

“We probably aren’t going to make decisions for a few months, but we hope that we can make the best decision for all of our community.”

The Pikes Peak Library District consists of 16 libraries throughout El Paso County. The district counts 287,145 cardholders and about 1.6 million visitors to its libraries each year. The 2024 budget is set at $35,506,170 which comes to around $51 per taxpayer, lower than the Colorado average of $74 per taxpayer. 

For comparison, the Denver Public Library budget is $90,910,775.

Others who spoke at the meeting said libraries are one of the few “third spaces,” left where people can gather with no entry cost.

“This is particularly important for younger generations, who are experiencing an epidemic of loneliness and a staggering lack of places that do not require them to pay to be there,” said Robin Lamoreaux, who lives in downtown Colorado Springs. “The library also provides people with enriching experiences and activities and allows them to meet friends and community, which increases morale and provides a sense of normalcy and belonging in their community.”

Most commenters Wednesday said they live in the Rockrimmon neighborhood, on the northside of Colorado Springs. The neighborhood is known for its views of Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak, and real estate groups have identified it as a wealthier neighborhood. 

Only two commenters said they live near the Ruth Holley library, on the east side of Colorado Springs. The area has faced “more poverty and divestment,” than other parts of the city, according to the Colorado Equity Compass. 

“I think the fact that we’re not hearing as much from Ruth Holley is because it’s serving a neighborhood where maybe people didn’t have as many resources to get here or log on and be online,” said Katherine Mack, a Colorado Springs resident who spoke against the closures. 

“For that reason, too, this is an inequity issue and we cannot be closing local branches in communities for whom it serves a vital need,” Mack said.

Lamoreaux said the Ruth Holley Library’s placement along a bus line is crucial for those who cannot drive, as Colorado Springs is spread out and lacks robust public transit.

“This is one of the only accessible places in this city for minors, disabled people and others who can’t or don’t drive,” Lamoreaux said. 

Others who addressed the board said the city’s public libraries have provided a free and safe haven to take their children. Many shared stories of mesmerized children losing themselves between stacks of books and having their first exposure to new ideas at their public library.

“Libraries are the great equalizer,” said Pat Gales, a Rockrimmon resident. “The one thing you can never take from someone is their knowledge.”