Services At the Library

Douglas County Libraries is uniting with Coats for Colorado and the Task Force of Douglas County to provide food and warmth for families this winter.

Throughout the month of November, Douglas County Libraries will gather gently used and new coats for those who need them this winter as part of the Coats for Colorado program. In addition, all library fines collected Nov. 15 - 28 will be donated to the Douglas County Task Force to stock their food bank and feed local families. Those without fines wishing to make a donation may do so during the same time. Checks can be made out to the Task Force of Douglas County. Please bring your used coats or pay your fines at any of our library branches:

6th Annual JURIED Romancing the ARTS Exhibit

The Greater Castle Rock Art Guild is presenting its sixth annual juried showcase for local Front Range artists. Well respected judges and great cash prizes make this a wonderful venue for artists of all kinds. A tradition begun last year continues with the judges critiquing the winning entries and explaining the process behind their decisions. This insight behind the jury process is invaluable for all artists whether participants or not. The critique walk will take place during the Artist Reception on February 12, 2010.

Douglas County Libraries has formed a “partnership for life” with Bonfils Blood Center and will be holding blood drives throughout 2009. Bonfils needs 4,200 blood donations weekly to meet the needs of the community and to be prepared for unexpected events.

Blood Donation is one of the easiest ways to help your community, with each whole blood donation lasting less than an hour and having the potential to help several people.

Reservations are handled through Bonfils. Call 303-363-2300 to book your spot:

Douglas County Libraries currently sponsors Great Books Discussion Groups at three libraries:

Douglas County Libraries hosts a wide variety of clubs for patrons of all ages and interests. Registration is not required.

Highlands Ranch Library

Chess Knights Chess Club
Meets 2nd & 4th Wed of each month from 7-9 pm
All ages welcome

GO Game Club
Meets every Sunday from 12- 2 pm
All ages welcome

Douglas County Libraries offers a wide range of free tools and technologies for people living with physical challenges:

Philip S. Miller Library (100 S. Wilcox St., Castle Rock) provides reading glasses, page magnifiers, and a large print collection for visually impaired patrons. A TTY phone and an electric scooter is also available.

Highlands Ranch Library (9292 Ridgeline Boulevard) features the Open Book computer program which makes reading easier for people living with a visual impairment. Open Book scans and converts text (including books, magazines, and newspapers) to spoken word through a set of headphones. In addition, the library offers a large print collection and an electric scooter.

Parker Library (10851 South Crossroads Drive) features several assistive tools, including a Telesensory Aladdin Desktop Magnifier which features a 14-inch screen to help patrons read books, newspapers and magazines. Hand-held magnifying glasses, large-print books, and an electric scooter are also available.

For more information about using these assistive devices, please contact your local library at 303-791-READ.

If you’re learning English as a second language, Douglas County Libraries has the book club for you!

The ESL Book Club is for adults who are intermediate to advanced English learners and it meets on the first Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Philip S. Miller Library.

Join other English learners to read books together, improve reading skills, and work on understanding English. The group will read a new title every 1-2 months.

No registration is required, just stop by.

Douglas County Libraries just got a little brighter, and a little greener! Thanks to a grant from the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office, the Sunflower Corporation installed a Sundolier™ daylight system for no cost at the Philip S. Miller Library. Using solar power and a battery, the Sundolier™ will actually follow the sun, tracking its brightest angle, and disburse the natural light through the main room of the library. This should help reduce electric light and cooling demands, and related emissions.

Reading Buddies, the innovative program that pairs teen volunteers with struggling young readers, returns to Philip S. Miller Library. Reluctant readers in 1st-4th grade meet with a teen Reading Buddy once a week for reading and activities designed to make reading fun.

The Reading Buddy pairs meet on Tuesdays or Thursdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., from February 10 through April 9.

If you are a teen, 13-18 years old, who is interested in volunteering for this worthwhile program, pick up your application in the Aloha Teen Tower and return it by January 30. You’ll have fun and earn volunteer service hours while you’re at it.

If you know a child in 1st-4th grade, who is struggling to read, pick up your application at the children’s desk and return it by January 30.

For more information, stop by the library or call 303-791-READ.

Douglas County Library adult patrons can act locally and think globally by joining one of four 2009 Great Decisions discussion groups. The Philip S. Miller Library (Castle Rock) and Highlands Ranch Library will each host daytime and evening groups. Each group will meet 9 times, first to establish the coming agenda and then eight times to discuss specific topics. Registration is required and it is inclusive for all eight sessions, no drop-ins and no single sessions.

Your tax-deductible contribution to Douglas County Libraries Foundation will count in making a difference:

Count on making an impact ~ Count on making someone smile

Don't forget - we sell bargain books at your library!
Find great books at great prices at the Douglas County Libraries.

Gently used books are available for sale at several of our branches and proceeds from the sales benefit the Douglas County Libraries Foundation.

Douglas County Libraries just got a little brighter, and a little greener! Through a donation from the Sunflower Corporation, they installed a Sundolier™ daylight system for no cost at the Philip S. Miller Library. Using solar power and a battery, the Sundolier™ will actually follow the sun, tracking its brightest angle, and disburse the natural light through the main room of the library. This should help reduce electric light and cooling demands, and related emissions.

Improve reading skills with a doggie buddy!

Douglas County Libraries and Intermountain Therapy Dogs present R.E.A.D (Reading Education Assistance Dogs )

• Improves literacy in a unique and fun environment
• School-age children sign up to read aloud in Dog/Person teams
• Dog/Person teams are registered and certified through Intermountain Therapy Animals
• Advance sign-up is required.
  • Call 303-791-READ.
  • Visit the library.

Are you in a book club or thinking of starting your own?

Douglas County Libraries offers a service called Book Club Express. Titles are available county-wide and are centrally housed at Highlands Ranch Library.

We'll provide you with multiple copies of a book, author biographies, discussion questions, and more!

A Book Club Express kit can be checked out for six weeks with over 150 titles from which to choose for adults, children, and teens. You can also reserve titles as future book club selections.

We are also happy to provide book talks at your book club meeting. Just leave your phone number and/or email information when you speak to us about Book Club Express.

The following are available as Book Club Express titles:

• Adult books
• Kid's books
• Young Adult books

For more information contact bce@dclibraries.org

Every Saturday, except holiday weekends, Douglas County Libraries hosts casual drop-in sessions for anyone age 17 and older to practice English. All levels and abilities are welcome. Come practice conversational skills with other English learners. Volunteer facilitators, who are fluent in English, lead the conversation and answer any questions.

Three Options for Reserving a Douglas County Libraries Meeting Room:

• Request a Meeting Room Online
• Call 303.791.READ for help
• Visit your local library

The Library meeting rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Meeting rooms are free for non-profit and community groups, which are also given preference in reservations. For-profit groups may reserve rooms when space is available. Donations are encouraged. Suggested donation is $25 per use. You must submit an application either online or at your branch library in order to reserve a meeting room.