DCL summer camps help kids make up for lost social, learning time
Summer camp is the perfect place for kids to be kids, especially after the last year of evolving school schedules and modified activities. Douglas County Libraries is excited to offer an array of in-person summer camps for kids ages 4-11 at Camp DCL, June 7-August 6. Kids can connect with peers, have fun, and expand their skills and knowledge through interactive, hands-on activities, with precautions in place for health and safety.
“It’s been a year of back and forth for our kids, shuffling between in-person and remote learning and missing friends and activities that help them thrive,” said Kristen Kallio, Special Events Supervisor at DCL. “We’re excited about our Camp DCL options this summer, and we want every camper to have a great experience.”
DCL’s summer camps are available 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. There are also a few spots remaining for DCL’s spring break camps in Lone Tree and Parker, March 15-19.
At DCL, campers can explore cooking, coding, robotics, art, engineering, science, and LEGO adventures. Some of the summer camps offered include:
- Rollercoaster Science Camp
- Kinderbots Robotics Camp
- Mission to Mars and Adventures in Space Science Camps
- We Love Pets! and There’s No Place Like Space! Art Camps
- Castles, Kingdoms & Wizards and Basics of Minecraft LEGO Camps
- High-Flying Catapults Engineering Camp
- Kids’ Cooking Network and Cameras, Cooks & Kids Film Camps
- Gaming With Scratch Coding Camp
- And many others
Visit DCL.org/camp-dcl for the full list of summer camps as well as spring break camp openings.
Parents can choose from half-day camps or full-day camps (at select DCL locations, at a 10% discount). All camps are facilitated by subject matter experts and are supported by trained DCL staff and volunteers.
DCL adheres to all state and local health department guidelines for operations and events.
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 camps and scholarship opportunities, visit DCL.org/camp-dcl.
Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection.
Library’s HistoryGeo launch aids genealogical and local history research
The Archives & Local History department at Douglas County Libraries (DCL) is excited to launch HistoryGeo, an interactive database for mapping land patent recipients, Douglas County historic sites, and other resources that can aid genealogical and local history research. HistoryGeo is conveniently available to customers remotely as well as from any DCL location with the use of a library card.
Through HistoryGeo, users can search by surnames, geographical features, place names, or latitude and longitude. Search results are displayed on interactive maps with modern street overlays, and results are linked to Bureau of Land Management records, Google maps, and DCL Archives & Local History materials. A growing list of local history markers are available to aid research into Douglas County historical sites.
Visit DCL.org/research/all-databases to connect to this unique and free resource.
For more information, call DCL’s Archives & Local History department at (303) 688-7730 or email localhistory@dclibraries.org.
Douglas County Libraries elevates our community by inspiring a love of reading, discovery and connection.
All Douglas County Libraries locations are open and operating under state and local health department guidelines for operations and events.
Masks are required at all times in the library, and we recommend that customers wash hands frequently, especially after handling materials and/or touching surfaces. Disposable masks are available for customers.
All in-person public events and space reservations remain unavailable at this time. Our digital library remains open, and there are many virtual family and community resources available to you, as well as virtual events.
LIBRARY OPERATIONS
Hours
Modified services are available at all DCL locations during our current operating hours:
- Monday-Thursday, 9AM-7PM
- Friday-Saturday, 9AM-5PM
- Sunday, 12-5PM
- Louviers only: Tuesday, 3-7PM & Saturday 9AM-12PM
Archives & Local History services are available by appointment only; call (303) 688-7730.
Borrowing, Holds & Fines
Standard borrowing timelines and fines on late returns apply. Materials Request and Interlibrary Loan (ILL) are available. Learn more about fines, fees and borrowing.
Book Drops & Donations
All DCL book drops are open and accepting returns of checked-out items. Book donations are important to us. Due to current restrictions and fewer volunteers to process donations, we’ve implemented some temporary changes. Book donations are accepted on a limited basis at our Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, and Parker locations during the times listed below. We are currently accepting donations of only two 18”x14”x12” boxes or less per household.
- Castle Rock: Wednesdays, 3-7PM
- Highlands Ranch: Saturdays, 10AM-2PM
- Lone Tree: Mondays, 10AM-2PM
- Parker: Thursdays, 10AM-2PM
Storytime, Events & Playscapes
In-person Storytimes and other library events remain unavailable.Virtual Storytime will continue with Storytime fun and activities each weekday at 10:30AM. Library staff will lead songs, rhymes, reading and fingerplays to keep nurturing those all-important emerging reading skills. Virtual Storytime also is available through Storyblocks, a project of Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy (CLEL).Playscapes and other interactive features at all libraries remain closed, including Little Letters Post Office at Castle Pines, The Market at Highlands Ranch, Playful Pets at Lone Tree, the Dino Wall at Parker, and Mission Control at Roxborough.
Spaces
Meeting rooms are available for public use at 50% of room capacity, not to exceed 100 people. Study rooms are available by reservation only. Drop-in use of empty meeting and study rooms is not permitted. Other personal gatherings are limited to 10 people.Contact Event & Hospitality Services at (303) 688-7605 for guidelines specific to DCL meeting rooms.
LIBRARY SERVICES
Park & Pick-Up Holds Service
Pick-Up Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9AM-5PM & Sunday, 12-5PM.Use our curbside service to pick up holds at your preferred DCL location*, following these instructions. Book Club Express kits may also be picked up using this service:
- Look for the flag denoting parking spaces set aside for this service. Note that the service location in our parking lots has changed, and there may be a longer wait for delivery to your car. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
- If all marked spots are full, please wait in your car for a space to become available. We will work as quickly as possible to serve you, but there may be a wait during busy times. Please be prepared.
- Keep your phone handy. Once you are parked in a numbered space, call or text the number on the sign with the required information.
- Health regulations prevent us from touching your vehicle. Please be prepared to open and close your own trunk for delivery of held items.
*Not available at Louviers.
Our Digital Library is Open
Our digital library is always open—and it’s been enhanced to accommodate more digital checkouts (now up to 12 borrows per month) and less wait time (decreased ratio of holds to copies, now just 3:1). You may Skip the Line on OverDrive and through the Libby app for instant checkout of items, similar to Your Lucky Day items in our branches. And you’ll see that familiar shamrock.Access a variety of digital library perks, from crafting classes to online learning and more.Check out DCL Connect for a digital world of Family & Community resources.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Protect Yourself & Others
Masks are required at all times in the library, and we recommend that customers wash hands frequently, especially after handling materials and/or touching surfaces. Disposable masks are available for customers.Hand sanitizer stations are set up at library entrances, public service desks, cash-handling points, and other heavily used areas.
Safety Precautions & Protocols
Enhanced in-library cleaning and disinfecting procedures are ongoing using EPA-registered disinfectants. Common areas; hard surfaces such as stair rails, door handles, and elevator buttons; reserved rooms; and restrooms are cleaned at least four times a day. Hard flooring is thoroughly cleaned once each day. The Holds section in each library closes for 15 minutes at the top of each hour to allow social distancing for DCL staff as they shelve. In-library modifications facilitate social distancing. Tables and individual seating are spaced at least 6 feet apart. Plexiglass partitions are in place at public service desks. Increased signage throughout all libraries encourages social distancing and hand hygiene. Protocols and systems are in place to increase air circulation in library buildings.
Our Digital Library is Open
- Our digital library is always open—and it’s been enhanced to accommodate more digital checkouts (now up to 12 borrows per month) and less wait time (decreased ratio of holds to copies, now just 3:1).
- You may Skip the Line on OverDrive and through the Libby app for instant checkout of items, similar to Your Lucky Day items in our branches. And you’ll see that familiar shamrock.
- You may also access a variety of digital library perks, 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 our 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).
- Access to PebbleGo K-3 databases is free at www.pebblego.com, providing expertly leveled text and navigation for beginning researchers. Sign in using the username engaged and password learning.
- Access to Capstone interactive e-books for older kids is also free at www.mycapstonelibrary.com. Sign in using the username continue and password reading.
Douglas County Libraries are closed due to Covid-19
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, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to close all of our libraries until further notice, in addition to canceling, postponing and/or rescheduling all public events and space reservations.
We are so grateful to be part of a community that loves and supports its libraries. And while we take great pride in being open to all and being a place where you can explore, learn, gather and celebrate, we also want to ensure that our staff and community remain safe and well.
While our physical libraries are closed:
- Our digital library is always open—and it’s been enhanced to accommodate more digital checkouts (now up to 12 borrows per month) and less wait time (decreased ratio of holds to copies, now just 3:1). Check out e-books; audiobooks; downloadable magazines; movies, TV and kids videos; and music.
- You may Skip the Line on OverDrive and through the Libby app for instant checkout of items, similar to Your Lucky Day items in our branches. And you’ll see that familiar shamrock.
- You may also access a variety of digital library perks, 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 our 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).
- Access to PebbleGo K-3 databases is free at www.pebblego.com, providing expertly leveled text and navigation for beginning researchers. Sign in using the username engaged and password learning.
- Access to Capstone interactive e-books for older kids is also free at www.mycapstonelibrary.com. Sign in using the username continue and password reading.
What else you should know:
- We 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. Hold onto your library materials. No current checkouts will come due, and no fines will accrue during the closure.
- Current holds in our system will not expire.
- 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. Groups with kits reserved during the closure can arrange for a different borrowing period by emailing bce@dclibraries.org.
- We have increased cleaning and disinfection throughout our libraries, which will continue until we are advised that COVID-19 is no longer a potential threat.
As the situation surrounding COVID-19 changes, we will continue to communicate with you via email and will post ongoing updates to our Community Safety Notice online and through our social media channels. To check the status of rescheduled events, please see our online Events Calendar.
The closure of our 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.
We’re doing all we can to ensure the safety and health of DCL staff and our community. Thank you for your support and understanding as we navigate this situation together. Stay safe. We wish you and your loved ones good health.
Warm regards,
Douglas County Libraries
New Year, New Ways to Use Your Library
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.
Parker Library Event Calendar
Parker Library Events Currently CLOSED
Parker Storytime
Monday – Friday
- 9:30 a.m. Baby
- 10:15 a.m. Toddler
- 11:15 a.m. Preschool
Saturday
- 10:15 a.m. All Ages
Reading to Dogs Builds Confidence and Self-Esteem
Volunteers and their trained therapy dogs give budding and struggling readers an opportunity to read out loud without the stress of being judged.
Register for a specific appointment time at one of the libraries listed below.
James H. LaRue Library in Highlands Ranch
Second Saturday of each month beginning at 12pm
Fourth Tuesday of each month beginning at 3:45pm
Parker Library
Fourth Wednesday of each month beginning at 4:00pm
Second Thursday of each month beginning at 4:00pm
Philip S. Miller Library in Castle Rock
First and Third Wednesdays of each month beginning at 4pm
Fourth Tuesday of each month beginning at 4pm
Roxborough Library
Second Tuesday of each month beginning at 4:30pm
Fourth Saturday of each month beginning at 10:30am
Click here to reserve a meeting room at the Parker Library
Parker Chess Club
- PRIMARY AGE GROUP: All Ages
- GENRE: Games
- TIME OF DAY: Evening
- DAY & TIME: Thursdays, 7-9PM
- Friendly drop-in competition for all ages and abilities.NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Adult Coloring Groups in Colorado
Have you heard? Adult coloring books are all the rage! Month after month, adult coloring books are topping Amazon’s bestseller lists and more and more adults are finding their zen in between the lines of a coloring page. If you are already a Colorist check out the latest adult coloring books, supplies and tips here at ColoringBookAddict.com. Need more info about supplies to buy or tips and tricks? Check out the Coloring Book Addicts site. So far this event has attracted guys and gals from 19 – 89 so grab your book and head over to make some new friends.
Unfortunately, the Parker Library has stopped hosting the coloring group but the links below will help you find a new one.
