Highlands Ranch

On Sunday, November 15th at 2pm at the Highlands Ranch Library there will be a Veteran’s Day presentation on the book The Making of Our Warrior – How SSG Chris Falkel Became a Green Beret Warrior and Hero by author and Gold Star father Jeff Falkel.

The Making of Our Warrior details the life of Staff Sergeant Chris Falkel from, “What made Chris – Chris,” to his military training and service to August 8, 2005, in Mari Ghar, Afghanistan, when SSG Falkel sacrificed his own life while saving those of his team as well as sixteen Afghan National Army Soldiers fighting with them against the Taliban.

Registration is required.

The Art Selection Committee of the Highlands Ranch Library is accepting submittals from artists who wish to exhibit at the library in 2010.

Artists who wish to be considered are asked to submit images of 5 to 10 different works in any one of the following ways:

Stories to get you through the week! 

This is a new storytime for adults.  It takes place the second Wednesday of every month from 7-8 p.m. at Highlands Ranch Library (9292 Ridgeline Blvd.) in the Reading Lounge on the second floor.

No registration required.

Come enjoy readings by staff of short stories, poems, from funny to mystery to the unforgettable.

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

The Photography of Hank Cerwonka

Nothing Lasts Long Oct 4-30th Sat. October 17th 1-4pm Join us for an Artist's Reception

"All of my work, to some greater or lesser degree, explores that premise. Early subjects include a fallen log, a ramshackle wooden fence, and a multi-year series documenting the eventual collapse of a derelict round barn in Southville, NY. Images which evince the passage of time and reveal the beauty of disintegration continue to attract my eye. Recently, I have concentrated on developing a body of work which examines the melancholy aesthetics of cemeteries. All images captured by the camera are transient. The momentary pause of birds or butterflies amid the errands of their lives is perhaps more apparently fugitive than the gradual decomposition of a headstone by lichen, of the differential weathering of sandstone layers by the forces of wind and water, but time burns away relentlessly, at various overlapping rates. I enjoy being able to preserve instances of liaison between the observer and the observed, and to share what I have discovered with others. My photographic pursuits serve to remind me to appreciate what I can, while I can, because it always comes back, for me, to this: Nothing lasts for long. I am a self-taught photographer working mainly in Colorado and upstate New York. My photographs have appeared in the last seven Pix group exhibits at Square Deal Framing & Gallery, as well as a solo show at Manny’s Underground, and fundraisers for the Colorado AIDS Project and Doctors Without Borders. Purchases may be arranged by contacting me at 303-871-8290. Unframed prints of my work and gift certificates are also available."

Are you a teen who loves books and movies?

Highlands Ranch Library has the club for you! Teens in 7th - 12th grade are welcome to come and participate in this fun book and film club which will cover fiction, fantasy, manga, anime, sci-fi, and more!

Come see an anime film and discuss anime and manga on Monday, January 26 at 7 p.m. While you’re there, pick up your copy of Feed by M.T. Anderson, and then join us for the next club meeting on Monday, February 23 at 7 p.m. to discuss the book.

Registration is required.

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.

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.